WASHINGTON – CMS has agreed to increase reimbursement for seat elevation systems for power wheelchairs by $13.62 to $2,013.96, according to NCART. The agency will implement the change and provide instructions on submitting previously submitted claims for adjustment as part of its July DMEPOS fee schedule update, the organization says. Reimbursement of $2,000 for the new code E2298 went into effect April 1, 2024. On an interim basis prior to April 1, providers were being paid about $2,800, on average, for seat elevation systems. Stakeholders had recommended a rate of $3,450, on average. The change follows a meeting between CMS and stakeholders. Click here for CMS’s letter to Wayne Grau, executive director of NCART, about the change. 

MONTVALE, N.J. – Dynarex Corp. has opened an expansive new warehouse in the Town of Wallkill (Middletown), N.Y.  With easy access to New York State Route 17 and Interstate Highway 84 and just 14 miles from Stewart International Airport, the facility will serve as the company’s distribution center for the Northeast region. "This new warehouse is a shining example of our commitment to excellence and growth," said Dynarex CEOZalman Tenenbaum. "TheTown of Wallkillfacility is more than just an addition to our network — it's our flagship warehouse and our e-commerce hub that will significantly boost our fulfillment capabilities across the Northeast region." The 450,000-square-foot facility, which features 36-foot ceilings and 22 high-level bay doors with full van access, is nearly quadruple the size of the company’s previous facility. It also features an advanced automated conveyor system to assist in receiving, selecting and shipping and to increase worker safety. Dynarex held a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility on June 24 that was attended by local dignitaries. 

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Honest Medical has updated its e-commerce website with thousands of health care products to make it more accessible for people with disabilities. The company made the updates in accordance with new Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. “At Honest Medical, we believe everyone deserves equal access to the medical supplies they need to live healthy lives,” said CEO Mike Greenan. “That’s why we’re thrilled to announce these significant enhancements that ensure our website is fully compliant with ADA accessibility standards.” Features of the website include tagging elements with button functionality to aid assistive technology like text-to-speech screen readers; adding alt text to images and fields that describe meaning and context so those with visual impairments can enable assistive technology; improving menus and dropdowns to coordinate assistive technology; and scaling font sizes and increasing letter spacing to aid those with learning disabilities like dyslexia. The ADA standards outline best practices for making web content more accessible, including ensuring users can navigate a website using the keyboard rather than a mouse; having heading structure that enables users with accessibility tools to easily navigate a site; and making sure all images have captions. 

WASHINGTON – Carelon Medical Benefits Management will not review Medicaid prior authorization requests for DMEPOS in Maryland (Wellpoint), Missouri (Healthy Blue) and Wisconsin (Anthem) on July 1 as planned, AAHomecare reports. The transition has been postponed until further notice, according to the association. “Suppliers in Maryland, Missouri and Wisconsin should continue to follow the current process when requesting authorizations for DMEPOS services under Medicaid,” AAHomecare stated in a bulletin. The transition was originally announced on April 1. For state-specific announcements, please go to: Maryland Missouri Wisconsin 

ATLANTA – Trella Health, a provider of market intelligence and CRM solutions to the post-acute care industry, has launched several new features in its Marketscape platform to streamline workflows, improve goal tracking and minimize administrative tasks. The company says this enables sales reps to maximize their field time, strengthen referral relationships and drive significant growth for their organizations. “We’re thrilled to unveil these new enhancements in our CRM; through continuous improvement and consistent innovations, we are dedicated to delivering solutions that boost efficiency, save valuable time and drive cost reductions,” said Kathy Ford, chief product officer at Trella Health. “Our mission is clear: to empower our customers and their go-to-market teams with the tools they need to strategically grow and achieve unparalleled success.” The enhancements include goal creation to track objectives more effectively; event templates to align strategy; enhanced calendar functionality to optimize workflow and market and sales spotlight to improve accessibility. Trella Health says the new meeting and event scheduling feature, for example, has resulted in a 41% decrease in time spent creating events and a 27% increase in saving events. 

NEWARK, N.J. - A Georgia chiropractor who owned or operated multiple DME companies and a cancer genetic testing (CGx) company has admitted her role in a health care fraud and illegal kickback conspiracy. Tefylon Cameron, 57, of Powder Springs, Ga., pleaded guilty on June 20, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz in Newark federal court to an information charging her with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback statute. According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court: Cameron and her conspirators owned, operated and had a financial interest in DME companies through which they obtained doctors’ orders for durable medical equipment, namely orthotic braces, for Medicare beneficiaries without regard to medical necessity. Cameron and her conspirators obtained DME orders using marketing call centers and telemedicine companies (including multiple Florida-based companies), caused the submission of false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and paid illegal kickbacks.   Cameron and her conspirators also owned, operated and had a financial interest in a CGx company through which she agreed to provide a clinical laboratory with leads of beneficiaries who were qualified to receive federal health care benefits for cancer genetic tests. Cameron submitted invoices to the clinical laboratory seeking payment on a per-lead basis but entered into a sham agreement to disguise kickback and bribe payments. In total, Cameron and her conspirators caused a loss to Medicare of more than $14.9 million. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on June 27 highlighted updated use instructions from Philips Respironics for its BiPAP V30, BiPAP A30 and BiPAP A40 ventilators due to potential interruptions and/or loss of therapy. Philips has updated the use instructions for the vents due to a potential failure in the ventilator inoperative alarm, which can cause therapy interruption or loss. New instructions If interruptions of therapy can be tolerated and the ventilator inoperative (vent inop) alarm occurs, the patient/caregiver will have instructions to remove the patient from the device and to place them on an alternative device. If interruptions of therapy cannot be tolerated, the patients and caregivers are instructed to provide alternate ventilation AND contact the equipment supplier for immediate device alternative. The potential issue The vents may reboot intermittently for five to 10 seconds then restart with the same patient settings; reboot intermittently then restart with factory default settings; and enter a ventilator inoperative state after three reboots within 24 hours, or without a preceding reboot. These issues can result in therapy interruptions or loss, potentially leading to hypoventilation, hypoxemia, hypercarbia, respiratory failure or death in vulnerable patients, the FDA says. The impact There are a total of 911 reports reportedly associated with the recall issue (ventilator inoperative): 894 are malfunctions, 10 injuries, and 7 deaths.Philips statement Philips noted that, while there have been reports of potential patient harm, investigation of these reports could not conclusively determine the cause. The company also noted that customers may continue to use their system in accordance with instructions for use and the field safety notice. The company says it is currently investigating the issue and will implement appropriate actions. 

WASHINGTON – CMS has published a proposed rule to address significant, anomalous and highly suspect (SAHS) billing activity within the Medicare Shared Savings Program in response to an observed increase in DMEPOS billing for selected intermittent urinary catheter supplies in calendar year 2023. The agency says SAHS billing activity for codes A4352 and A4353, if not addressed, could adversely impact the accuracy, fairness and integrity of the program’s financial calculations. In the proposed rule, CMS proposes to exclude payment amounts for the two codes on DMEPOS claims submitted by any supplier from expenditure and revenue calculations used for:assessing performance year (PY) 2023 financial performance of Shared Savings Program ACOsestablishing benchmarks for ACOs starting agreement periods in 2024, 2025 and 2026, andcalculating factors used to determine revenue status and repayment mechanism amounts in the application and change request cycles for ACOs applying to enter a new agreement period beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, or continue their participation in the program in PY 2025, respectively. CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule, “Medicare Program: Mitigating the Impact of Significant, Anomalous and Highly Suspect Billing Activity on Medicare Shared Savings Program Financial Calculations in Calendar Year 2023,” until July 29, 2024.Comments can be submitted at: https://www.regulations.gov/. Refer to file code CMS-1799-P). 

I had a conversation recently with someone who has been in the HME industry for quite some time – as a vendor and as a provider – and he said something to the effect of: The industry needs to give up on reimbursement getting better and lean into technology to make what little reimbursement there is more profitable. That’s not a hard line I would draw – and, of course, neither would AAHomecare and other industry stakeholders. In fact, stakeholders headed to Capitol Hill in May to meet with about 140 offices in the House of Representatives and Senate. The main talking point: Extend the 75/25 Medicare blended reimbursement rates in non-rural areas that expired on Dec 31, 2024. When Managing Editor Theresa Flaherty talked to AAHomecare about the need for the fly-in, Jay Witter didn’t mince words.“We've continued to talk to House and Senate leadership in the committees, but they need to be riled up, they need to be talking about this, they need to be concerned,” he told her. “If the leadership wants to do something, you know they can do it.” Those are fighting words, as some would say. And yet. While the industry’s efforts to get reimbursement relief over the years have resulted in some big wins – those 75/25 blended rates, for one – those efforts have been all encompassing, and at what cost? Not for AAHomecare – fighting for fair reimbursement on the Hill is a big part, if not the most important part, of its job. But for providers – have they been putting enough focus on technology? Before the past year, I would have said no and part of the reason for that is they lacked the tools. Now, the number of tech-enabled companies and off-shoring companies that are making the more administrative part of the industry more efficient and less costly is almost exploding. I was talking to someone else in the industry recently – a provider – who said it’s been exciting but also overwhelming.“There’s a bigger exercise to be done in looking at the entire organization and seeing what is really ripe for automation,” he said. “And then, is it acceptable – does the customer tolerate it, does the referral source tolerate it? And if they do, you have to find a company or a system that fits in that bucket and there a lot of them out there now.” The two don’t need to be mutually exclusive, of course. The industry needs both: It needs reimbursement that’s fair and it needs technology that’s pivotal to success today. I guess, at this moment, it’s just nice to also see the latter getting more airtime.

WASHINGTON – Jeff Barnhard says he will bring a broad perspective to his new role as chairman of the Council for Quality Respiratory Care, thanks to a resume that includes roles at providers big and small. “What I’ve seen that’s been common throughout all those different roles is there’s always a drive for patient care and patient excellence in care,” said Barnhard, who was named CEO of Lincare in 2023 and who previously worked at Praxair. “We continue to see a need to build our reputation as DME suppliers. We continue to have a lot of regulatory challenges, and we need to align our message to effect change.” Barnhard spoke with HME News recently to dig into some of his initial priorities as chair, including building support for the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act,which was introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives earlier this year. HME News: What do you see as some of the key challenges to tackle as chairman of the CQRC? Jeff: Barnhard: Patient access and reimbursement challenges. For patient access, I've talked about how, with noninvasive ventilation, we've seen a very high denial rate really spike up over the past few years. Also, for access to oxygen, which is what led us to put together the SOAR Act. And then, from a standpoint of reimbursement, we're not getting clean reimbursement and (there’s a) need for very clear cut, quantitative measures around oxygen instead of (getting the) chart notes.  HME: What has been the response to the SOAR Act? Barnhard: It's been very good. From my experience, it's rare that you have so many groups in line and pushing for the same thing. We've got physicians who are saying there's an access issue around high purity oxygen and high flow oxygen; the patient groups are also looking for a solution, especially young patients (with) cystic fibrosis or with lung transplants, (who are having difficulty getting) access to the quantity and the quality of oxygen that they need. So, there are many groups that are saying, OK this looks like a solution that can work for all of us. When I've spent time in D.C., the legislators have already talked to some of these patient groups and they're asking how they can support that, so we're starting to get a number of lawmakers to sign on to it. HME: Do you feel that the HME industry has gotten better at aligning its message? Barnhard: It’s one of those things that you could always do better but having that aligned message and making sure that we don’t have conflicts when we’re talking to folks on the Hill or other stakeholders is critically important because we don’t want to look like we don’t know what we want. Having that upfront conversation before we go in and talking to legislators helps us move our issues forward in a very succinct manner.

PLUM, Pa. – Medbill officially launches its own billing software platform, TrueSight, in July, the culmination of a years-long process of developing tools for its own revenue cycle management services. The company has had a platform for almost 15 years, but it wasn’t until 2017, when it brought onboard Chris Delposen, who was the CFO of a long-term care pharmacy software platform that grew from 40 to 400 customers during his tenure, that it was able to get TrueSight “enterprise ready,” said Keith Kuhn, co-founder and CEO of Medbill. “We cut our teeth in billing and now we’ve taken that expertise and created this software,” he said. Features of TrueSight include instant alerts on claim errors, online accessibility, a resupply module, on-demand reporting, workflow configuration, patient pay management and a direct link to the clearinghouse. That last feature is a “paradigm shift” for providers, says Delposen, who believes billing for DME is more difficult than other areas of health care. “The advantage that has is that when we send a claim out the door, there is an immediate connection to the clearinghouse,” he said. “That’s a massive workflow disruption. It doesn’t aid the person creating the billing if they have to wait three days or wait for someone else who doesn’t have rejections or alerts. The person sees what they did wrong and can fix it immediately. That also enhances the learning curve by 10-fold.”  As for some of the buzzwords in HME operations right now, TrueSight has base levels of AI built into it, such as automating the process of posting denials and incorporating the EOB into a single invoice. It also offers API integrations that, for example, allow orders that come in from an e-prescribing system to be dragged and dropped into the platform. “We’ve been committed to modern toolsets,” Delposen said. The majority of the software platform’s features revolve around Medbill’s mantra of “getting things right on the front end,” Kuhn says. “You really need to be able to dissect that workflow along the way,” he said. “If you get whatever business you can and send it to the insurance and see what happens, (you’ll have to deal with) the mess on the back end. Let’s be meticulous about the steps along the way.” Kuhn believes TrueSight will do well in a market where there are a dwindling number of choices for software platforms at a reasonable price. Medbill charges one-time fees for things like onboarding ($500) and data migration ($500) and then a monthly fee ($500 for five users). “I think the key is, we’ve had folks unhappy with the offerings in the market,” he said.

AKRON, Ohio – Miller's is celebrating 75 years in business this year and while the company has changed in many, many ways, it remains “fiercely committed” to remaining a company that is family-, locally- and Ohio-owned, says Johnny Miller. Here’s what Miller, president, had to say about the company’s past, present and future. HME News: How has Miller’s evolved over the years, from a business providing party rentals to focusing on complex rehab technology? Johnny Miller: In the 90s, we split the companies in two – one for party rentals and one for DME – and then in July of 2019, we exited the basic DME business to focus on CRT. There’s a wheelchair in our logo – it's what we’re best known for. We are also committed to complex respiratory and home access. We also still have Miller’s Adaptive Technologies, which is a division that sells head rests, specialty hardware and other supports to other CRT providers. HME: When you think about the last two decades in the HME industry, it’s been particularly tough. How has Miller’s weathered the challenges? Miller: I think we did it by staying focused on the client and customer service. When we look at how the company has evolved, in terms of the products it provides, they’re not commodities. It’s not stuff you can get on Amazon. But really, we’ve successfully navigated the challenges because there was no other option. We’re committed and so is our staff – many of them have been with us for 30-plus years – and we’re committed to the mindset of figuring it out. And we succeeded despite everything. HME: You’ve also been part of the solution, as someone who has been on the boards of OAMES and NCART, and who has been involved with AAHomecare and VGM & Associates. Miller: We’ve been actively engaged. Being part of the industry in that way has given us an advantage. We’re in the know and one step ahead of what’s happening, and we also benefit from their assistance in getting through it all. HME: What excites you most about the company’s future? I know when we talked to you about the new office in Columbus, Ohio, you mentioned that the company had a new growth mindset. Miller: We’re excited about the Columbus office and its success so far, and we’re going to look to continue expanding, particularly our home access department, which is an area of high demand. CRT is nice in that it has a clientele that’s many ages and the same is true for home access. We’re very bullish on home access and CPAP.

FRISCO, Texas – When Soleo Health founders Drew Walk and Craig Vollmer decided to launch Soleo Health, they knew they wanted to build an infusion company with staying power. “We knew it had to be national in scale and able to grow, but we also wanted to be thoughtful about providing a broad range of therapies,” said Walk, CEO. “We also recognized that if we built something that not only provided great service but also was able to articulate the value through real-world outcomes, it was going to be significant.” Fast forward to 2024, and it’s Soleo Health’s 10th anniversary and the company boasts national nursing coverage, pharmacy licensure in 50 states, 26 pharmacy locations and more than 30 infusion centers throughout the country. Soleo Health’s focus on complex therapies has been a big part of its growth over the years – something made possible by its nursing coverage. In addition to URAC and The Joint Commission, the company is accredited by ACHC with Distinction in Rare Disease and Orphan Drugs. “You need to have a little bit more of the integrated nursing and pharmacy approach, where you’ve got nurses and pharmacists working together,” said Walk. “There’s a need for focused clinical monitoring and intervention.” That focus on high-complex care also drives the company’s commitment to advocacy. Both Walk and Vollmer regularly advocate for various industry priorities, including the Expanding Care in the Home Act and the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act, the most recent version of legislation aimed at modernizing Medicare reimbursement and increasing access to home infusion services for Medicare beneficiaries. “CMS only recognizes when nurses are in the home for us to get reimbursed and that’s not a sustainable model,” said Vollmer, chief commercial officer. “There’s been a drop-off in access, and when the alternative is hospitalization and that’s the most costly – we’re really trying to promote the value of the services that we can provide in the home.” During the past decade, the home infusion industry has experienced a lot of growth, including advances in technology, new drugs coming to market, and a wider acceptance of care in the home – and Soleo Health has grown right along with it, says Vollmer. “There’s always going to be that strong need for a robust clinical service offering regardless of where patients are being seen,” he said. “We really have a balanced approach and we’ve really put a stake in the sand of defining what we think is something unique.” As Soleo Health looks ahead to the next 10 years, Walk sees nothing but opportunity ahead. “We’ll continue to expand our footprint, continue to expand our therapeutic approach and continue to provide real value to all of our stakeholders,” he said. “We’re fiercely independent, we’ve got a great team, and we think we’ll be able to continue to expand our services.” 

WASHINGTON - The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine have published “Living with ALS,” a report on improving the quality of care for individuals with ALS that includes specific recommendations to strengthen access to respiratory care.   The report includes a policy brief that urges CMS and private insurers to act quickly to expedite access to essential ALS medical and support services, including: Requiring expedited (within 72 hours) responses to prior authorization requests for all therapies, durable medical equipment, assistive technologies and services for persons with ALS. Not denying services for persons with ALS based on failure to show functional improvement, given the progressive nature of the illness. “The findings and recommendations related to respiratory care in the report echo messages that our partners in the clinician community and at the ALS Association have been making to remove barriers to access for non-invasive ventilators (NIV) for patients with severe respiratory challenges,” AAHomecare stated. “The new report will lend additional credibility to our ongoing advocacy to ensure these individuals and their caregivers can benefit from these life-sustaining products.” AAHomecare promotes Chandler WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has promoted David Chandler to vice president of payer relations. Chandler has been with the association for five years and has been instrumental in the formation and strategy of AAHomecare’s Payer Relations Council and has taken a leading advocacy role with the association's Diabetes Council in protecting and expanding access to diabetes equipment and supplies in the home. “David has forged strong relationships with policymakers, HME leaders and patient groups that are helping us win on legislative campaigns,” said Tom Ryan, president & CEO. “He has a natural talent for collaboration that allows him to tap into the commitment and expertise of a wide range of HME stakeholders and healthcare advocates.” Chandler has more than 20 years of direct HME industry experience, including sales, operations and reimbursement, as well as payer and government relations. Chandler’s service to the HME community also includes a term as president of the Atlantic Coast Medical Equipment Services Association and chairman of the Medicare Jurisdiction C Advisory Council. He was also elected to the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy/DME Subcommittee in 2016. Compass Health moves to Diamond sponsor CLEVELAND – Compass Health Brands is increasing its corporate sponsorship of AAHomecare to the Diamond level. Compass Health has been a supporter of AAHomecare and its state association partners for seven years. “The work being done by AAHomecare is so vital to the health of the HME industry,” said Mike Scarsella, senior vice president of HME. “The commitment and dedication of the staff and board of directors is incredible, and Compass is so pleased to be able to contribute to their efforts and success.” Compass Health’s support is “gratifying,” says AAHomecare President & CEO Tom Ryan. “The additional resources and active involvement of our Corporate Partner members allows us to expand legislative, regulatory and payer relations initiatives that benefit the entire HME community and the patients we serve,” he said. React Health emphasizes holistic care in new mission statement DUBLIN, Ohio – React Health and ReactDx have adopted joint mission and vision statements to underscore their commitment to optimizing the well-being of individuals by pioneering advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. "We believe this mission and vision will inspire our team and resonate with our providers and patients," said Bill Shoop, CEO, React Health. "They capture the essence of who we are and where we are headed, emphasizing our commitment to respiratory, sleep and cardiac care, as well as our broader goal of revolutionizing holistic care.” The mission statement: "To improve the lives of those we serve by delivering an innovative continuum of diagnostics and medical devices, with excellent respiratory, sleep and cardiac care.” The vision statement: "To seamlessly integrate end-to-end quality diagnostic medical device and service products to become the cost-effective standard in the detection, prevention, treatment and monitoring of respiratory sleep, and cardiac conditions by removing barriers informed by the experiences of patients and customers." The company says the development of the new statements was a comprehensive process that involved input from various stakeholders, including employees, patients and industry experts. The statements are part of the company’s broader strategy to enhance patient care through innovation and excellence.  Canadian retailer taps NorthShore Care Supply for distribution VAUGHAN, Ontario – AgeComfort, an online retailer specializing in premium health care products inCanada, has entered into a strategic partnership with NorthShore Care Supply to handle the distribution of Forsite Health Maximum Absorbency adult diapers acrossthe U.S. The collaboration marks a major milestone for Forsite Health, enhancing the availability of the maximum absorbency adult diapers in the U.S. market. "We are incredibly excited about this partnership with Northshore Care Supply," saidHanif Balolia, president, AgeComfort. "Their extensive distribution network and commitment to quality align perfectly with our values. This collaboration will allow us to meet the growing demand for Forsite Health adult diapers in the U.S., providing more people with the premium incontinence solutions they need." NorthShore entered the Canadian market in 2021. IPC, McKesson sign supply agreement SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. – Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC), a group purchasing organization of community pharmacies, has announced a new supply agreement with McKesson. The new supply agreement provides IPC members with two distinct pricing options, allowing them to tailor their approach to better serve their communities and thrive in a competitive market. "Our collaboration with McKesson reflects our unwavering commitment to our members' success,” said Marc Essensa, CEO of IPC. “By offering these pathways, we empower pharmacies to make informed decisions that align with their unique business models. This agreement underscores our dedication to fostering choice, innovation, and resilience within the independent pharmacy landscape.” The pricing options will be presented to member pharmacies over the next month, with an effective date ofAug. 1. Swift Medical names new CEO, CTO TORONTO – Swift Medical, a digital health technology company focused on improving clinical outcomes in chronic and acute wound care, has named Dwayne Sansone as CEO and Stratos Davlos as CTO. Sansone brings more than 25 years of experience to Swift Medical, including significant expertise in the health care industry, as well as public accounting, Wall Street investment banking and senior leadership roles with top health insurance payers. "I feel privileged to join Swift Medical at this pivotal moment," said Sansone. "Swift Medical has a unique opportunity to transform the way wound care is delivered, and I look forward to working with the team to drive innovation and create value for our partners, providers and patients." As CTO, Davlos will lead Swift Medical's technology strategy and steer the development of its wound care solutions, leveraging his deep technical knowledge to drive innovation. Davlos is a pioneer in AI, data and software development with more than 25 years of experience, including key roles at Apple, Reliance Jio and IBM. "I am excited to join Swift Medical and lead its talented team of technologists," said Davlos. "I believe that technology has the power to revolutionize health care, and I am committed to leveraging our expertise to improve patient outcomes and enhance the delivery of wound care." Wound Pros taps new medical director LOS ANGELES – The Wound Pros has appointed Dr.Richard Parkas medical director. Park brings a wealth of experience in internal medicine and hospital care to the company, which specializes in treating and managing non-healing wounds in long-term care facilities. Park earned his medical degree from Flinders University School of Medicine inAustraliaand completed his Internal Medicine residency at Good Samaritan Hospital, which is affiliated withJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineinBaltimore, where he also served as chief resident. Park's extensive experience in hospital settings and dedication to quality patient care aligns with the company's mission to enhance wound care management through AI-driven insights and robust documentation. As a medical director, he will oversee the company's clinical operations, collaborate with clinical teams to develop and implement evidence-based treatment protocols, and ensure that the highest standards of care are maintained across partnering facilities. Sky Medical Supplies launches line of equipment DENVER – Sky Medical Supplies has launched a new line of affordable medical equipment that includes manual and power wheelchairs, mobility scooters, hospital beds, oxygen concentrators and lift chairs. "Our mission is to provide reliable and affordable medical equipment to those in need, ensuring that everyone has access to the necessary tools for a better quality of life," said Semaynesh Miftah, co-founder of Sky Medical Supplies. "With the launch of our new mobility equipment line, we are taking a significant step toward achieving this goal." Founded in May 2021 by Miftah and Hussien Hassen, Sky Medical Supplies also offers incontinence products, ADLs and orthotics. ACHC launches specialty credentials CARY, N.C. – Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) has launched two new specialty credentials: the Distinction in Age-Friendly Care for Home Health and Hospice and the Distinction in Outcomes for Home Health. Based on thorough evaluation of defined specialty services, the distinctions will be awarded to ACHC-accredited organizations that have excelled in providing high-quality, patient-centered care. "I believe the best part of delivering age-friendly health services is when the clinicians realize it is the most important part of the care we give,” said Karen Snavely, BSN, RN, regional director of clinical services for the Central Region of CommonSpirit Health at Home. “When we ask the patient what matters to them, we get a completely different view of what the goal for their care should be and how important it is to them. One clinician said this has become the best part of documentation, knowing what the patient really wants." The Distinction in Age-Friendly Care acknowledges organizations that recognize the unique goals and priorities of care for older adults. The Home Health Distinction in Outcomes recognizes excellence across three key domains: patient outcomes, patient satisfaction and health care utilization. The Distinction is available to those ACHC-accredited agencies that score in the top 25% of their cohort based on nationwide data and Medicare claims that have been aggregated in annual evaluation reports for the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model.

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has promoted David Chandler to vice president of payer relations. Chandler has been with the association for five years and has been instrumental in the formation and strategy of AAHomecare’s Payer Relations Council and has taken a leading advocacy role with the association's Diabetes Council in protecting and expanding access to diabetes equipment and supplies in the home. “David has forged strong relationships with policymakers, HME leaders and patient groups that are helping us win on legislative campaigns,” said Tom Ryan, president & CEO. “He has a natural talent for collaboration that allows him to tap into the commitment and expertise of a wide range of HME stakeholders and healthcare advocates.” Chandler has more than 20 years of direct HME industry experience, including sales, operations and reimbursement, as well as payer and government relations. Chandler’s service to the HME community also includes a term as president of the Atlantic Coast Medical Equipment Services Association and chairman of the Medicare Jurisdiction C Advisory Council. He was also elected to the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy/DME Subcommittee in 2016.

CLEVELAND – Compass Health Brands is increasing its corporate sponsorship of AAHomecare to the Diamond level. Compass Health has been a supporter of AAHomecare and its state association partners for seven years. “The work being done by AAHomecare is so vital to the health of the HME industry,” said Mike Scarsella, senior vice president of HME. “The commitment and dedication of the staff and board of directors is incredible, and Compass is so pleased to be able to contribute to their efforts and success.” Compass Health’s support is “gratifying,” says AAHomecare President & CEO Tom Ryan. “The additional resources and active involvement of our Corporate Partner members allows us to expand legislative, regulatory and payer relations initiatives that benefit the entire HME community and the patients we serve,” he said.

LOS ANGELES – The Wound Pros has appointed Dr.Richard Parkas medical director. Park brings a wealth of experience in internal medicine and hospital care to the company, which specializes in treating and managing non-healing wounds in long-term care facilities. Park earned his medical degree from Flinders University School of Medicine inAustraliaand completed his Internal Medicine residency at Good Samaritan Hospital, which is affiliated withJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineinBaltimore, where he also served as chief resident. Park's extensive experience in hospital settings and dedication to quality patient care aligns with the company's mission to enhance wound care management through AI-driven insights and robust documentation. As a medical director, he will oversee the company's clinical operations, collaborate with clinical teams to develop and implement evidence-based treatment protocols, and ensure that the highest standards of care are maintained across partnering facilities.

DENVER – Sky Medical Supplies has launched a new line of affordable medical equipment that includes manual and power wheelchairs, mobility scooters, hospital beds, oxygen concentrators and lift chairs. "Our mission is to provide reliable and affordable medical equipment to those in need, ensuring that everyone has access to the necessary tools for a better quality of life," said Semaynesh Miftah, co-founder of Sky Medical Supplies. "With the launch of our new mobility equipment line, we are taking a significant step toward achieving this goal." Founded in May 2021 by Miftah and Hussien Hassen, Sky Medical Supplies also offers incontinence products, ADLs and orthotics.

CARY, N.C. – Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) has launched two new specialty credentials: the Distinction in Age-Friendly Care for Home Health and Hospice and the Distinction in Outcomes for Home Health. Based on thorough evaluation of defined specialty services, the distinctions will be awarded to ACHC-accredited organizations that have excelled in providing high-quality, patient-centered care. "I believe the best part of delivering age-friendly health services is when the clinicians realize it is the most important part of the care we give,” said Karen Snavely, BSN, RN, regional director of clinical services for the Central Region of CommonSpirit Health at Home. “When we ask the patient what matters to them, we get a completely different view of what the goal for their care should be and how important it is to them. One clinician said this has become the best part of documentation, knowing what the patient really wants." The Distinction in Age-Friendly Care acknowledges organizations that recognize the unique goals and priorities of care for older adults. The Home Health Distinction in Outcomes recognizes excellence across three key domains: patient outcomes, patient satisfaction and health care utilization. The Distinction is available to those ACHC-accredited agencies that score in the top 25% of their cohort based on nationwide data and Medicare claims that have been aggregated in annual evaluation reports for the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model.

WASHINGTON - The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine have published “Living with ALS,” a report on improving the quality of care for individuals with ALS that includes specific recommendations to strengthen access to respiratory care.   The report includes a policy brief that urges CMS and private insurers to act quickly to expedite access to essential ALS medical and support services, including: Requiring expedited (within 72 hours) responses to prior authorization requests for all therapies, durable medical equipment, assistive technologies and services for persons with ALS. Not denying services for persons with ALS based on failure to show functional improvement, given the progressive nature of the illness. “The findings and recommendations related to respiratory care in the report echo messages that our partners in the clinician community and at the ALS Association have been making to remove barriers to access for non-invasive ventilators (NIV) for patients with severe respiratory challenges,” AAHomecare stated. “The new report will lend additional credibility to our ongoing advocacy to ensure these individuals and their caregivers can benefit from these life-sustaining products.”