Funding


PECOS Phase 2 Effective on May 1

HME claims must be prescribed by health professionals in the system.

CMS Announces, Retracts PECOS Implementation Notice

While May 1 date appears to not be in effect, formal announcement could be coming.

2011 RAC Audits Save $488 million of $797 Million Collected

After underpayments and costs, only $488 million goes to trust fund; DME overpayments account for less than 5% of overpayments.

Observation Deck

Medicare's Most Stringent Audits

In many cases, especially for power mobility devices (PMDs), a provider may not know whether a file meets all of the requirements until an audit occurs, due in part to the subjectivity of medical necessity documentation review.

CMS Drops Round Two Pricing Bomb

DME rates slashed by an average of 45 percent, diabetic supply rates drop an average of 72 percent.

CMS Unveils 106 ACOs

New accountable care organizations represent opportunities for providers.

GAO, AAHomecare Discuss Audit Issues

Accountability office meets with association to ask various questions regarding post-payment audit cocnerns.

HME Big Ten

2013: The Year Ahead

Big Ten

It's that's time of the year again: The HMEB Big Ten. In the sixth annual edition of our list, we look at 10 key trends, challenges and opportunites that will define the next 12 months for HME providers.

Problem Solvers

Preparing for Potential Audits

Increased funding and more Medicare claims processors could mean more audits for 2013. How should HMEs prepare?

CMS Hosting Power Mobility Call

Dec. 19 special Open Door Forum to discuss clinical template for power mobility devices.



OPGA Partners with The van Halem Group

Audit consulting firm will help OGPA members in audits, compliance, appeals.

MEA, van Halem Group Partner for Audit Solution

Providers will be able to electronic respond to auditors’ documentation requests.

People in HME

VGM Adds Reimbursement Specialist

Ronda Buhrmester joins HME member service organization.

CMS Puts Hold on Audits for HMEs Hit by Hurricane

Agency to tell contractors to suspend audits for providers affected by Sandy.

VGM Unveils Outcomes Plus Wellness Network

Helps providers work with ACOs, bundled payment participants, hospital readmission reduction programs.

Round Two: Bracing for 2013

Industry Roundtable

Round Two: Bracing for 2013

The coming year promises a rough ride for the industry. Providers face many issues: competitive bidding Round Two; the fight to replace it with the MPP; the continued assault of pre- and post-payment audits; the pending face-to-face rule; and pior authorization for power mobility to name just a few. HMEB’s editorial advisory board discuss these issues and more and share their insights on how providers should approach 2013.

Taking the Bite Out of Oxygen Documentation

Audits

Taking the Bite Out of Oxygen Documentation

Although the denial rate may be improving, oxygen audits continue to challenge and frustrate providers. How can providers become oxygen audit ready?

CMS Postpones K0009 Policy Change Implementation

New coding policy for manual wheelchairs effective Feb. 28, 2013.

House Hearing Highlights NCB’s Flaws

Testimony at Small Business Subcommittee sets stage for advancement of MPP bill.

CMS Launches ACA Calls Starting Thursday

CMS is hosting first in a series of Open Door Forums concerning the Affordable Care Act.

HME Business Podcast