News


Providers Become Rapid Responders

Rough weather, power outages see HMEs rush to the aid of homecare patients.

Linde AG Buys Lincare Holdings

$4.6 billion acquisition will expand German firm’s reach into homecare.

VGM Launches Round One Re-compete Seminars

Hosted in Round One’s 9 CBAs, the day-long events will cover all facets of the CMS’s fall re-bid.

Lawmakers Push GAO to Examine CMS Audits

Leading Sens. and Reps. call for an examination into ‘duplicative efforts’ of Medicare audit contractors.

Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Healthcare Act

SCOTUS decision means several elements impacting HME will stand.

Free App Helps HMEs, Patients Communicate

Software lets patients order supplies, check therapy data via iPhones, iPads.

Overpayment Claims Jeopardize HMEs’ Surety Bonds

DME MACs making claims as small as $16, undermining bond underwriting.

Invacare Sponsors 2012 Veterans Wheelchair Games

Paralyzed Veterans of America thanks DME for its 32nd year of support.

Medicare Limits TENS Coverage for CLBP

CMS final decision says TENS units only covered for clinical studies.

Recurring, Refill Item Request Rules Changed

New rules for recurring supplies saddle providers with additional costs — after bids.



Congress Questions CMS on Audits

House subcommittee chair blasts CMS for ‘incompetence’ in audit oversight.

Texas HME Sets Sights on NCB

Newspaper column from San Antonio provider educates Lone Star readers on dangers of bid program.

Near-term Health Spending Projected to Grow at 4%

U.S. healthcare spending won’t ramp up by a larger degree until ACA kicks into gear in 2014.

CMS Hosting Two Special Open Doors Forums

June 14 call addresses PMD electronic clinical template; June 28 call addresses PMD prior authorization program.

Study: NCB Flaws Result in ‘Disastrous’ Outcome

New Caltech research using computer models demonstrates bid program’s problems.

Providers Gear Up for Heartland Show

More than 1,000 industry stakeholders expected to attend 11th annual event.

Mo. Providers Meet with CMS’s Blum

Medicare director fields various questions from HMEs, others in meeting at hospital.

Braun Corp. Sees New Ownership Structure

New investors are Bruno CEO and ontime Indycar racer.

Separate Rehab Benefit Webinar Available

Recorded NCART presentation covers legislation, and worked necessary to secure its passage.

HQAA Debuts Third-Party Billing Accreditation

New program helps billing companies establish compliance procedures that reassure HMEs.

CMS Slates Next Open Door

July 11 session starts at 2 p.m. Eastern; will be conference call only.

HMEB Survey: Sleep Providers Grow by 8.9%

Respondents expect their sleep revenue to grow by 7.5 percent in the next 12 months.

Video

PFQC Releases Bidding Awareness Video

 ‘Trouble at the Medicare Garage’ uses auto repair scenario to demonstrate NCB’s impact on patients.

Roster of Shuttered Providers Spirals

VGM, NAIMES figures put tally at more than 320 providers closed due to Medicare funding cuts.

Video: Bidding Hearing Testimony Now Online

Watch full-length video of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing on competitive bidding.

HME Business Podcast