News


Illinois Considering Breast Pump Sales Tax Exemption

Bills have been introduced into the state General Assembly’s Senate and House that would remove sales tax for retail transactions of breast pumps and related supplies starting July 1.

AAHomecare Begins 90/10 Co-Sponsor Push

The association is calling on providers to urge their Representatives to be original co-sponsors for draft legislation that would apply a 90/10 reimbursement rate to items in Round 2021’s 13 un-awarded categories.

Lawmaker Assesses Semiconductor Shortage’s Impact on HME

Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) meets with representatives of two Kansas HME providers, as well as MAMES, to better understand how the narrowed semiconductor supply is impacting their businesses and patients.

Medtrade West Early Rates Ending Jan. 28

Early rates offer a discount on registration for both expo and educational conference passes for the April 4-6 HME industry event in Phoenix, Ariz.

Associations Call for Expanded Infusion Regulation

The NHIA and several other organizations urged the FDA and state regulatory agencies to investigate and regulate direct access infusion businesses to protect supplies and patients.

FACHS Postpones Legislative Conference

The Florida association has moved the event to Feb. 16-17 and added a reception with dinner and drinks to the first day.

Rehab Medical Enters Chicago’s Complex Rehab Market

National provider of CRT products and services opens new office in Elmhurst, marking its first location in Illinois.

Responsive Respiratory Launches New Products Catalog

The new catalog features expanded respiratory and sleep product sections and showcases the company’s expanding line of value-added products.

MSC Biomedical Services Acquires Repair Authority

The combined entity will serve HME providers in all 50 states and will hold more than 70 percent of the U.S. market for oxygen concentrator repairs.

Media Campaign Emphasizes HME’s Value

Working with Keybridge Communications, AAHomecare undertook a 9-month media drive that secured nearly 100 print, online and TV placements calling for market-based reimbursement.



Essentially Women Moves Focus Conference to May

The women’s HME-focused event will move from Feb. 5-7 to May 1-3 due to caution over the recent surge in Covid-19 cases.

Parachute Health Becomes Top-level AAHomecare Sponsor

HME eprescription company joins the association’s Diamond tier of corporate partners to help advance the industry’s public policy efforts.

Owens & Minor to Acquire Apria for $1.6 billion

The global healthcare logistics company has entered a definitive agreement to purchase the national HME provider for $37.50 in cash per share of common stock.

Whitepaper Underscores Need for Intermittent Catheter Access, Funding

Stakeholders develop a document to educate payers, Medicaid programs on the need for patient access to key urological products.

WellSky and Option Care Health Launching CommonWell Services

The interoperability initiative will help the national infusion provider and its referral partners coordinate care for more than 250,000 patients.

CBIC, CMS Launch Redesigned CBIC Website

The new site offers a more mobile-compatible design and improved aesthetics to help users navigate competitive bidding information.

Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare Intros the HurryCycle

The solution helps users stay active while in the home and can be moved easily around the household.

Katie Stevens Named 2021 HME Woman of the Year

CEO of Reliable Medical Supply is recognized for exemplary services and for setting high care and organizational standards.

Breathe Now Supports Reusable Ring Oximeter

The independent diagnostic testing facility added support for the increasingly popular style of oximeter after requests from DMEs.

AAHomecare Shares Fee Schedule Analysis

The association has analyzed the top 25 items in the 2022 DMEPOS fee schedule, which saw a larger than usual increase due to gains in the Consumer Price Index.

SMRC and RAC Conducting New Audits

Both audit program contractors have announced new audits for surgical dressings, enteral nutrition, and parenteral nutrition.

HEMCO Releases Continuous AirFlow Monitor

The device continuously monitors the face velocity airflow of a pharmacy fume hood.

VGM to Announce the 2021 HME Woman of the Year on Dec. 16

The free online Awards Presentation & Panel Discussion gives HME industry members a chance to learn more about the winner and finalists.

House and Senate Vote to Stop PAYGO Cuts

Bill would also extend the pause on the 2% Medicare sequestration cuts. The legislation now goes to President Biden to be signed into law.

Judge Temporarily Halts Vaccine Mandate for Federal Contractors

The move blocks a nationwide vaccine requirement for Federal contractors and subcontractors to have employees being fully vaccinated by Jan. 18, 2022.

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