By Lunzeta Brackens
According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, OSA is estimated to occur in 1 to 3 percent of otherwise healthy preschool children. Peak prevalence is between the ages of 2 and 6, though OSA can occur at any time between infancy and adolescence. Sleep apnea is thought to be equally prevalent among boys and girls.
By Elisha Bury
Lately, the oxygen business has sounded like the refrain of a country-western song. We've lost funding thanks to cuts, and further losses are pending as Congress threatens to peel back the rental cap even further to 13 or 18 months. With the announcement of winning bidders in the first round of competitive bidding and the projected savings for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of 22-32 percent in some areas, many providers may well lose their oxygen business altogether, even if they didn't lose the bid.
For the past year, the mantra Work smarter, not harder has been heralded as the solution to reimbursement woes. Manufacturers have rolled out technology to reduce deliveries, and GPS technology bent on improving delivery efficiencies is no longer the domain of meandering travelers. But as providers vie for business-sustaining theories to put into practice, which oxygen avenue makes the most sense for the bottom line?
Oxygen Studies: Providers Talk Oxygen Modalities
By Lunzeta Brackens
There are a number of reasons why these children have a hard time breathing while asleep: impaired muscle tone (either increased, decreased or fluctuating); reduced respiratory function due to distorted chest shape; decreased compliance of the chest wall and muscles involved in breathing; increased saliva function and cough reflex; poor movement control; moving into positions that make breathing difficult and that are hard to get out of; and central apneas that may occur because of disturbed neurological function.
Oxygen Studies: Providers Talk Oxygen Modalities
Respiratory Management asked Tim Hat, Wright & Filippis' director of HME, to talk about how competitive bidding will impact the company.
Funding Focus
By Kelly Riley
A historical event in our industry is quickly approaching. Pending any new Congressional changes, effective January 2009, the payment ceiling will be reached for some of your existing oxygen patients, and your company will no longer receive monthly rental fees. January 2009 could be your worst single month in terms of revenue decreases, or it could be the same as any other month. The question is: Do you know?