Tag: VGM & Associates

WASHINGTON – UnitedHealthcare’s plan to reduce prior authorizations was met with skepticism by industry stakeholders who say it’s more likely a public relations move in response to increased government scrutiny.  In August, UnitedHealthcare said it would begin a two-phased approach to eliminating prior authorizations for many product codes starting Sept. 1, 2023. That’s after the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in May held a hearing on...

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates officially launched Sleep Services in August to help HME providers specifically address the growing impact of staffing shortages on compliance with CPAP therapy.  The program, which is equipment agnostic, allows providers to outsource no-touch delivery, onboarding, patient setup, compliance and post-compliance monitoring.  “The challenge of having enough staffing to get ahold of patients to try to get them compliant has been around since...

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates has released its third playbook of 2023: “Business Solutions to Optimize Success in DMEPOS.” Areas of focus in this playbook include embracing new and emerging technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI); optimizing for efficient operations to reduce cost and increase revenue; and welcoming innovation to enhance patient care. “VGM understands that the DMEPOS industry can be filled with specific pain points,” says Krista McNurlen,...

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates has officially launched Sleep Services, a CPAP setup and compliance program that aims to create relationships with patients for ongoing care and success, the company says. The program comprises no-touch delivery, onboarding, patient setup, compliance and post-compliance monitoring. “This program helps our members with staffing, revenue and patient compliance,” the company says. “By using Sleep Services as their outsourced clinical service,...

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates has officially launched Sleep Services, a CPAP setup and compliance program that aims to create relationships with patients for ongoing care and success, the company says. The program comprises no-touch delivery, onboarding, patient setup, compliance and post-compliance monitoring. “This program helps our members with staffing, revenue and patient compliance,” the company says. “By using Sleep Services as their outsourced clinical service,...

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates has announced a new partnership with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. With the addition of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare to the VGM & Associates portfolio of vendor partners, members now have access to F&P’s myAirvo line of products. "By adding myAirvo to our COPD portfolio, we embrace the power of innovation and elevate our commitment to improving respiratory care,” said Boone Lockard, director of VGM Respiratory. “With myAirvo's advanced technology...

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates has signed a new vendor agreement with O2 Concepts. "Embracing progress, we proudly expand the VGM Respiratory portfolio with the addition of O2 Concepts,” said Boone Lockard, director of VGM Respiratory. “With O2 Concepts’ innovative POC portfolio and revolutionary DNA platform, we enhance our ability to meet the evolving needs of VGM members and patients. This partnership is a step forward in our commitment to delivering exceptional respiratory...

CHICAGO – Sunset Healthcare Solutions credits two partners, VGM & Associates and ZeniMedical, for its ability to seamlessly add wound care to its product portfolio, says PJ Ruflin, vice president of business development.  Sunset Healthcare announced that it joined VGM as a vendor partner in March and then it became a distributor of ZeniMedical’s range of foam, composite, hydrocolloid, alginate and collagen dressings in June.  “We have a great partner and a great...

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates encourages providers to supply the Office for Program Operations and Local Enforcement at CMS with examples of Medicare Advantage organizations denying prior authorizations and claims for several important categories of DME. “We understand the urgency surrounding these issues and have been talking with them about the best process to resolve them,” VGM stated in a recent bulletin. “In addition to those efforts, several of our members have asked...

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates plans to go live in May with Professional Forums, a new program offering that allows member companies to participate in confidential group discussion boards and access custom-built live and recorded webinars.  “Our members tell us time and time again that a great benefit they get from VGM is when we bring them together to interact and discuss best practices,” said Jamie Downing, senior vice president of program development for VGMA. “Now...