The National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES) has created a legal defense fund to help the industry pursue legal challenges to competitive bidding.
Legal Speak
In January, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the expansion of the competitive bidding program for DMEPOS with the addition of 70 new metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). Although it is not a surprise that the program is moving into its second phase, it is surprising that CMS is pressing ahead when it has not yet awarded contracts from phase I that closed in September. At press time, CMS was behind schedule in announcing the winning bidders. The announcement had been widely expected to happen March 1, but in the most recent update, CMS staff stated only that it would make the announcement “soon.”
- By Asela Cuervo
- Apr 01, 2008
Editor's Note
- By Elisha Bury
- Apr 01, 2008
Though pure asthma and pure emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) are more common, sometimes the conditions overlap, says Marianne Frieri, M.D., Ph.D.
- By Elisha Bury
- Apr 01, 2008
Approximately 6 to 10 percent of seniors in the United States have asthma, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). Asthma diagnosed in childhood can reappear later in life. Yet new asthma diagnosis among seniors is not uncommon.
- By Elisha Bury
- Apr 01, 2008
Funding Focus
The phone is ringing, the trucks are traveling throughout your service area, and claims are flying through the electronic highways like never before! In addition, revenue is at an all-time high, and the new staff in your intake department really fits in well with the rest of the team. There is only one problem: Your receipts of cash are down. Without an influx of cash, everything else will eventually stop. But now, everyone is looking to the billing department to fix the problem.
- By Kelly Riley
- Apr 01, 2008
A week after CMS announced it was notifying contract winners for round one of its competitive bidding program, many providers who did not make the cut are questioning why they did not win contracts.
- By David Kopf
- Mar 28, 2008
For oxygen users, travel has historically been a dream more than a reality, as many users were essentially tethered to their homes because of past oxygen equipment’s limitations.
- By David Kopf
- Mar 28, 2008
- By Laurie Watanabe
- Mar 21, 2008
Blue Chip’s Power-Pro VW Elite bariatric mattress combines variable width convenience with durability and wound prevention features.
CMS announced that the agency notified on Friday suppliers who submitted bids to participate in the first round of competitive bidding.
- By Laurie Watanabe
- Mar 21, 2008
CMS has expanded its coverage for CPAPs to include beneficiaries diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea via home sleep testing devices types II, III and IV.
Given that comfort is king when copping Zs, home sleep products are getting smaller and more feature-rich.
The Kansas Senate Finance Committee member told providers attending this week's AAHomecare Legislative Conference to storm Capitol Hill like the Marine Corps and get its story told.