News


Luna G3 Auto BPAP Receives 510(k) Clearance

New bi-level PAP therapy device represents 3B Medical's third generation platform and includes algorithm that senses and adjusts pressure settings to ensure airway patency.

Blackburn Aims to Protect Tennessee's Medicaid Block Grant

After CMS recently approved block grants for Medicaid, the Biden administration made announcements that could jeopardize the waivers. Measure introduced by Sen. Blackburn would protect TennCare's recently acquired block grant waiver.

Industry Joins Effort to Extend Medicare Rate Relief

As Congress negotiates COVID-19 relief, AAHomecare backs push urging Congressional leaders to include H.R. 315 in their legislation, which would extend the Medicare sequester moratorium through the PHE.

Mosaic Acquires Living Innovations Support Services

Purchase lets Nebraska provider of homeware and support services for people with disabilities and seniors expands into New England area.

CMS Rolls Out New Location Inspection Procedure

Procedure is aimed at ensuring DMEPOS supplier locations are open and available for in-person inspections during COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

NSM Picks Up Scooters N More

Acquisition adds northern Indiana mobility and accessibility provider that is also approved to serve several VA facilities.

Rep. Hinson Visits VGM

New lawmaker serving Iowa's first district meets with VGM leadership as well as VGM Government relations team.

CMS Releases Round 2021 Bid Data

The Round 2021 bids show increases for lead items in most areas compared to the 2020 fee schedule, while bids for non-lead items show mixed results. CMS opted not to award contracts for 13 categories in late October.

AAHomecare Surveying Supplier Costs

Effort aims to track how suppliers’ costs have changed during events such as COVID-19, which is important given that DMEPOS rates are essentially frozen at 2016 levels. Deadline is Feb. 5.

Hart Medical Equipment Acquires McLaren Home Medical Equipment

Acquisition helps Hart expand coverage in Michigan, while leveraging additional scale to benefit its partners, referrals and customers



AAHomecare Seeks Washington Legislative Conference Feedback

Association has posted a quick online survey to gauge what the industry would like to do for the event. Deadline is Jan. 29.

OPGA Redesigns its Website

Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America aims to help its online visitors find information more easily and includes a members-only portal.

VGM Unveils Moxie

New marketing services company blends three VGM business units: VGM Marketing, VGM Events and Hellman, a marketing agency acquired by VGM in 2018.

CMS Gives TennCare More Flexibility in Serving Beneficiaries

Under the new “block grant” waiver, the Tennessee Medicaid program will be able to service patients with less federal oversight. CMS approved the waiver for 10 years.

VGM Conducts New Delivery Cost Survey

A follow-up to its 2018 effort, the survey helps tabulate the cost of provisioning HME products and services. This new effort aims at understanding how COVID-19 has changed that cost structure.

UnitedHealthcare Extends COVID-19 Prior Auth. Suspensions

The extension pushes the previous expiration date from Jan. 8 to Jan. 31 and United noted that it includes oxygen can be delivered without prior authorization.

Industry's Hard Fought Oxygen Win

AAHomecare's Ryan reflects on four-year advocacy effort to change the budget-neutrality cuts that hurt providers and users of oxygen equipment and services in rural areas.

BOC Announces 2021 Executive Committee and New Board Member

Angela Smalley, Ph.D., BOCPD, COF, brings to the board more than five years’ experience in the O&P profession, as well as knowledge of the latest advancements in medtech.

Numotion Acquires Wheeler’s Medical Supply

Move adds additional resources and expertise to Numotion's medical supplies business, which offers catheters, incontinence, ostomy, and advanced wound care products.

VGM Group Acquires Content Management Company

Buy brings tools and systems used to manage, store and disseminate key corporate communications and information to the member service group's portfolio.

AAHomecare Submits Comments on DMEPOS Proposed Rule

Association suggested various alterations to the proposed rule released in November, including how rates for former CBAs and non-rural non-CBAs should be calculated.

Congress Upvotes COVID-19 Bill

House and Senate overwhelmingly voted to pass the second relief package of the year, which includes two key HME industry provisions.

Apria Settles $40.5M Whistleblower Case

U.S. Attorney’s suit alleged that the national provider continued to bill for non-invasive ventilators when it did not know if beneficiaries were using the devices.

Numotion, LUCI Ink Distribution Deal

National CRT provider will become the first U.S. distribution partner for solution that combines multiple sensors and cloud-based technology to bring new functionality, control and safety to power chairs.

Medtrade West Moves to July

The April 12-14 event has shifted to July 12-14; it will still be hosted at the Phoenix, Ariz. Convention Center.

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