News
‘Critical juncture’: AAH, VGM partner on event to push legislation
October 12, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare and VGM are partnering on a new virtual advocacy event to bolster awareness and support for Medicare legislation as Congress enters the final legislative weeks of the year.
The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5555 and S. 1294), would provide a 90/10 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for most home medical equipment products in competitive bidding areas for all of 2024 and extend the current 75/25 blended rate currently in effect in rural/non-CBA...
AAH, ALS association send NIV letter to CMS
October 12, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare and the ALS Association continue to press their case with CMS that Medicare Advantage plans are improperly denying claims and imposing stricter coverage criteria for non-invasive ventilators than Medicare allows.
In an Oct. 4 letter to Kathryn Coleman, director, Medicare Drug & Health Plan Contract Admin Group for CMS, AAHomecare and the ALS Association share examples of MA plans that are “ignoring physician's orders and instead use excessive prior...
In brief: Best Buy’s move, Quantum’s Roll Models, Amigo Mobility’s bookÂ
October 11, 2023HME News Staff
RICHFIELD, Minn. – Best Buy will sell the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM) to eligible customers through BestBuy.com, where they'll transition to a new platform, Wellness.BestBuyHealth.com, to complete the process.
It’s the first time the electronics giant will offer prescription-based medical devices to customers.
“Through our health and wellness categories at Best Buy, we make it easy to purchase any of our thousands of carefully curated...
Best Buy cracks into prescription-based medical devicesÂ
October 10, 2023HME News Staff
RICHFIELD, Minn. – Best Buy will sell the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM) to eligible customers through BestBuy.com, where they will be brought to a new platform, Wellness.BestBuyHealth.com, to complete the process.
It’s the first time the electronics giant will offer prescription-based medical devices to customers.
“Through our health and wellness categories at Best Buy, we make it easy to purchase any of our thousands of carefully curated...
In brief: Belluscura makes moves, Numotion launches SpinKids, Cigna pays up
October 6, 2023HME News Staff
LONDON and PLANO, Texas – Belluscura has announced a possible acquisition and has made a change to its executive leadership.
Belluscura has reached an agreement with TMT Acquisitions, a London-based acquisition vehicle in the technology, media and telecommunications sector, on the key terms of a possible share-for-share offer for the company, in a deal that would be valued at EUR 6 million. Belluscura will use the deal, which includes a $100,000 break-up fee, to help grow its portable...
In brief: Sunrise Medical buys, OM integrates, ResMed accelerates Â
October 4, 2023HME News Staff
FRESNO, Calif. – Sunrise Medical has acquired Ride Designs, significantly expanding the company’s custom seating offerings, clinical expertise and service capabilities.
Denver-based Ride Designs, which was founded in 1998 by Tom Hetzel and Joe Bieganek, has built a name for itself for designing and delivering highly specialized seating systems for wheelchairs using the most up-to-date technologies, including 3D printing.
“By joining forces with Ride Designs,...
Cigna pays $172M to resolve FCA allegations
October 4, 2023HME News Staff
PHILADELPHIA – Cigna has agreed to pay $172 million to resolve allegations that it violated the civil False Claims Act by submitting and failing to withdraw inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes for its Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees to increase its payments from Medicare.
Cigna will pay about $135 million to resolve the allegations, with the remaining $37 million resolving allegations related to unsupported diagnoses for MA beneficiaries arising from Cigna’s home visit...
In brief: Philips refutes claims, MA premiums remain stable, NCPA supports CVS lawsuitÂ
September 29, 2023HME News Staff
AMSTERDAM – Philips disagrees with “characterizations” in recent articles that the company knew for several years about problems with certain ventilators and sleep apnea devices.
ProPublica and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sept. 27 published an article saying that Philips knew about a dangerous breakdown inside its widely used ventilators and sleep apnea machines but waited years before recalling the devices in 2021.
In a statement, Philips said it had previously...
In brief: House puts home infusion in spotlight, NSM expands AcademyÂ
September 27, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Medicare needs to improve access to home infusion services, said lawmakers during a Sept. 19 House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing.
During the hearing, “Examining Policies to Improve Seniors’ Access to Innovative Drugs, Medical Devices, and Technology,” home infusion was discussed at least three distinct times, according to the National Home Infusion Association.
Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., brought up two bills—the Expanding...
CMS: Medicare Advantage, drug programs to remain stable in 2024Â
September 27, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Average premiums, benefits and plan choices for Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Part D prescription drug program will remain stable in 2024, according to CMS.
The announcement precedes the upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment period, which begins Oct. 15, 2023, to help people with Medicare determine the best Medicare coverage option for their health care needs.
“A top priority for CMS is to protect and strengthen the Medicare program for people with Medicare,...