Tag: HOMES

BOSTON – AAHomecare, NCART and HOMES have joined forces to send a letter to leaders in the Massachusetts legislature opposing S. 3136, a bill aimed at expanding wheelchair warranty protections in the state. “While AAHomecare and our partners are committed to improving the wheelchair repair process to ensure consumers receive timely and quality repair services, the bill as currently written would place undue burdens on providers and manufacturers and, ultimately, reduce patient access...

BOSTON – Industry stakeholders who are lobbying state Medicaid officials to earmark dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act for DME got their first win in Massachusetts in July, setting a precedent for other states.  MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, has increased reimbursement 10% for DME claims from July 1 until the end of the year. It has also increased reimbursement...

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - Jason Morin brings more than two decades of working for an HME company to his new role as president and CEO of HOMES—experience that he says gives him a “deep understanding” of the industry's challenges and how they directly impact providers.Here's what Morin, formerly vice president of reimbursement and payer relations for Home Care Specialists, had to say about how he grew up in the HME industry and how he hopes to rethink the role of not only state and regional...

Permobil Americas has named Ginger Walls director of clinical sales and education. Walls has more than 30 years of experience as a physical therapist…Bill Fredericks of Allcare Medical Supply has agreed to take over as Massachusetts State Chair for HOMES. Fredericks has always been very active in the HME community and most recently has been serving as MA Vice Chair.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - HOMES has named Jason Morin, most recently of Home Care Specialists in Haverhill, Mass., as its new president and CEO. Morin, who replaces the late Karyn Estrella, has 23 years of experience in the HME industry. He is the current chairman of the AAHomecare Payers Relations Council and past chairman of HOMES. He is also a registered respiratory therapist and holds an MBA. In the coming months, Lauryn Estrella, interim director, will work with Morin to align skills and responsibilities....

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - Karyn Estrella, the president and CEO of Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England, has died at 61. She spent more than 20 years advocating for the HME industry. AAHomecare President and CEO Tom Ryan told the attendees at the recent Washington Legislative Conference to channel Estrella in their congressional visits, calling her a “tiger.” “She leaves behind an amazing record of accomplishment, and a legacy of leadership and service to the...

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - Karyn Estrella, president and CEO of the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES), is taking a medical leave from the association. During her absence, Lauryn Estrella, Karyn's daughter and the administrative assistant for HOMES, will be fielding emails and phone calls on her behalf. “We do expect her back but it is unclear when that may be,” states a HOMES email bulletin. Robbin Eusebio will also be at HOMES to assist Lauryn and the association's...

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - HOMES is accepting applications for its board of directors. The role of board members includes being available to other members to answer questions about the association's activities and to recruit new members. Members are expected to attend board meetings held three times per year, and to serve on at least one committee and attend committee meetings. Members are also expected to participate in grassroots lobbying efforts.

CONCORD, N.H. - HOMES is trying to get out ahead of the next round of Medicaid managed care contracts in New Hampshire and incorporate protections for HME providers. In February, HOMES members met with Sen. Tom Sherman, a Democrat who chairs the New Hampshire Health and Human Services committee that oversees the Medicaid program, to discuss ongoing concerns with one contractor in particular—New Hampshire Healthy Families, a for-profit that is part of Centene Corp. “We are trying...

AAHomecare has appointed three new members to its board of directors: Michelle Templin, vice president of legislative affairs and business development for Managed Health Care Associates; Jeff Bowman, vice president of home medical equipment for McKesson Medical-Surgical; and Todd Walling, senior vice president of sales for Permobil, Business Region Americas…AAHomecare has also hired David Chandler as director of payer relations. Chandler, currently director of reimbursement and government affairs...