Tag: MK Battery
Grau moves up at MK Battery
July 9, 2020HME News Staff
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Wayne Grau has been named director of business development for MK Battery. Grau, who joined the company in December, has extensive industry experience, holding leadership roles in sales management, legislative affairs and trade relations. “Mr. Grau has brought a focused determination to drive more value to our customers and open up additional opportunities for our organization,” said Wayne Merdinger, president.
MK Battery lands industry veteran
February 3, 2020Tracy Orzel
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Wayne Grau has been tasked with helping MK Battery's complex rehab and retail mobility customers grow their businesses as the company's new HME category manager. “I learned the business by listening to providers and gaining an understanding of what was important to their customers, and what levels of support they needed from the manufacturer to ensure the patient was taken care of,” he said.Grau has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, previously working...
In brief: CMS releases 2020 fee schedule, UnitedHealth Group buys specialty pharmacy
December 13, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The 2020 Medicare fee schedule grants 1.6% to 2.4% CPI-U increases in several categories, AAHomecare reports.
The fee schedule includes a 2.4% increase for former competitive bidding areas and a 2.4% increase for diabetes supplies in the national mail-order program. It also includes a 1.6% increase for non-rural areas.
The fee schedule for rural/non-contiguous areas will be 50% of the unadjusted fee schedule (2015) and 50% of the new adjusted fee schedule.
The fee schedule for...
People: John Sphon, Wayne Grau, Karissa Peffer
December 11, 2019HME News Staff
John Sphon has been named CEO of Greensburg, Pa.-based Excela Health, according to Triblive.com. He had been serving as acting CEO since last spring after the abrupt departure of both the former CEO and COO. Sphon previously served as president of Excela's MedCare Equipment Company and has been with Excela and its predecessors for more than 35 years. “(Sphon) is highly skilled in such areas as business development and operations, establishing and nurturing effective physician relationships...
In brief: CRT bill heads to governor's desk, Roche sues pharmacy network
March 22, 2019HME News Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee State Legislature has enacted legislation to create a “separate benefit” category for complex rehab technology.HB 647, which is headed to Gov. Bill Lee to sign, will ensure that CRT products receive separate consideration when state Medicaid authorities propose adjustments to reimbursement rates or other regulatory changes.“CRT products are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and profound healthcare challenges, supporting...
MK Battery supports power soccer
March 21, 2019HME News Staff
ANAHEIM, Calif. - MK Battery, a longtime supporter of the United States Power Soccer Association, is encouraging the HME industry to support this life-changing, adaptive sport program. “MK Battery is soon to enter its seventh year as the primary HME Industry sponsor of the United States Power Soccer Association and it continues to be a most fulfilling experience for our entire organization,” said Wayne Merdinger, president. “We've gotten to know many of the players and their...
MK Battery taps Merdinger as president
October 4, 2018HME News Staff
ANAHEIM, Calif. - MK Battery has named Wayne Merdinger as its new president. Merdinger succeeds Mark Wels, who co-founded the company in 1983. “Wayne is the consummate dedicated professional with whom we have all had the pleasure of working since 2006 when he joined us as head of international business development,” said Wels in a press release. Merdinger has served as MK's executive vice president and general manager since 2013. Wels will continue to serve on the board of directors and...
In brief: Stakeholders now await final rule on bidding, MedPAC comments on proposed changes
September 14, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - A CMS proposed rule that, among other things, outlined changes to the competitive bidding program drew 514 comments by a Sept. 10 deadline.“This is an incredible leap from last week, when we reported 216 submissions,” VGM stated in a bulletin. “These comments are crucial to demonstrating the need for additional relief for the non-rural areas among the other areas where CMS fell short in their proposals.”The comments, which are public, can be read here.In...
MK Battery debuts new website
September 11, 2018HME News Staff
ANAHEIM, Calif. - MK Battery has rolled out a newly designed and enhanced corporate website. Highlighted features include more user-friendly product searches and application cross-referencing, as well as dealer lookup and distribution center locator tools. “The aim of the website redesign was not only to modernize the look, but also to provide more comprehensive content and improved navigation and functionality,” said Rick Spiegel, vice president of sales. “We wanted to make it...
In brief: GAO reports on bid program, Lifeway Mobility receives investment
August 31, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The average reduction in payment rates in non-competitive bidding areas for five DME items with the highest expenditures in 2016 was 46%, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.
In its review of the effects of reduced payment rates in non-bid areas, the GAO also found that: the number of suppliers furnishing rate-adjusted items in non-bid areas in 2016 decreased 8% compared to 2015; and beneficiary utilization of rate-adjusted items in non-bid areas...