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In brief: NSM makes big play in Michigan, Health Complex rebrands

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08/04/2017
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has acquired the mobility division of Wright & Filippis, positioning the company as the leading provider of complex rehab solutions in Michigan, it says.

“Wright & Filippis is one of the country’s most respected providers of prosthetics, orthotics, custom mobility products and accessibility solutions,” said Bill Mixon, CEO of NSM. “This acquisition allows both companies to focus on our areas of expertise to better serve clients in Michigan.”

NSM will take over Wright & Filippis’ complex rehab operations in metro Detroit and Lansing. Wright & Filippis’ mobility division in Flint will merge with an existing NSM branch in Freeland. NSM also operates a branch in Troy.

Eighteen Wright & Filippis employees, including seven ATPs, will make the transition to NSM.

Wright & Filippis has been shedding different divisions in the past few years to zero in on its prosthetics and orthotics business. It sold its diabetes supply business in 2013, and its HME and respiratory businesses in 2014, leaving O&P and complex rehab and accessibility.

In June, NSM also picked up Mobility Healthcare, with locations in Carrollton and Lewisville, Texas.

Numotion expands North Carolina presence

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Numotion has acquired the rehab division of CVC Home Medical in Wilmington, N.C., it announced today. The move allows Numotion to expand its reach in the eastern part of the state. CVC has served the Wilmington and Morehead City area for more than 20 years, according to a press release. “We are excited about expanding in North Carolina,” said Mike Swinford, CEO, Numotion. “We are always looking for ways to better serve customers and provide them with innovative mobility solutions. This acquisition will provide the disabled community in eastern North Carolina with greater access to mobility resources, products and services.” CVC’s rehab employees will be integrated into Numotion’s Wilmington location. In April, Numotion acquired Horn’s Medical Supply in Athens, Texas.

Health Complex: Where patients are ‘All Taken Care Of’

WATERBURY, Conn. – Health Complex Medical has launched a new brand to showcase its expanded solutions for sleep therapy, the company announced Aug. 1. After collaborating with employees, having discussions with physicians and patients, and analyzing competitive positioning, the company has developed a new logo, tagline, collateral system and outreach materials. “Each audience told us that they place more value in ‘the solution’ than just the service, the equipment or the supplies,” said Jack Hogan, president and CEO. “It became clear that Health Complex was seen as an extremely valuable partner that removes the difficulties associated with sleep and respiratory care. So when people turn to us, they know it’s all taken care of.” “All Taken Care Of” is the company’s new tagline. The new logo features four repeated symbols in varying shades of green and yellow to form a check mark. The symbols represent an “abstraction of both a medical icon and stars at night,” the company says. Health Complex, which has locations in Waterbury, Danbury and Wethersfield, offers a full range of sleep therapy and respiratory products. The company has an in-house customer service center, on-site acclimation rooms and trained sleep therapists on staff.

HME provider closes due to cuts

REDDING, Calif. – Northern Rehab Equipment & Respiratory is closing its doors after 19 years in business, according to a local newspaper. The HME provider served customers all over the North State, specializing in products for the elderly like beds, wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen concentrators, diabetic shoes and more. Owner Stephanie Schwartz told the newspaper that her company maintained a steady clientele but decreases in Medicare reimbursement made the business too difficult. New West Medical, also in Redding, bought some of Northern Rehab’s inventory and took on some of its customers, according to the newspaper. Unlike Northern Rehab, which focused on Medicare, New West Medical has a diversified book of business, mixing Medicare with private insurance and Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program.

Philips helps providers ‘break cycle’ with connected vent

AMSTERDAM – Royal Philips has made its wirelessly connected Trilogy family of portable ventilators commercially available in North America. The Bluetooth-enabled devices, which connect to Care Orchestrator, deliver data directly to mobile devices or the desktops of healthcare providers multiple times per day, allowing them to make clinical decisions more proactively, according to a press release. Care Orchestrator is a cloud-based software application that enables data, clinical management workflow, informatics and intelligence capabilities for providers, payers and patients in a single platform. “To have a meaningful impact on patient outcomes, we need to work closely with care providers and develop technologies that can help them break the cycle of reactive care,” said Eli Diacopoulos, Respiratory Care Business Leader, Philips.

Medforce, DME Data Solutions fill in gaps

SUFFERN, N.Y., and SAN DIEGO – Medforce Technologies and DME Data Solutions have formed a strategic partnership to deliver providers an end-to-end solution for business management that improves efficiency, increases productivity and boosts profitability, the two companies say. Medforce is a provider of process and document management software; DME Data Solutions is a provider of productivity software. Together, the two companies offer more than a dozen software modules focused on minimizing manual efforts, improving automation and freeing up resources to focus on strategic activities, according to a press release. “We each fill in gaps in each other’s portfolio and together can deliver a full suite of software and services for the benefit of DME providers,” said Ken Ravazzolo, founder of DME Data Solutions. DME Data Solutions’ flagship product, IMS, is an inventory, patient management and billing system that uses barcode technology and emphasizes par-level reordering and resupply. IMS is currently installed in hundreds of locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, the release states.

Annual ‘Get out’ contest now live

PHOENIX – Sports ‘n Spokes, the sports and recreation magazine of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, has teamed up with the Spina Bifida Association and Cure Medical, a manufacturer of intermittent catheters, to host this year’s “Get Out & Enjoy Life” event. Now in its seventh year, the GOEL event kicks off today, Aug. 1, with a photo contest. As part of the contest, the social media pages of Sports ‘n Spokes, the Spina Bifida Association and Cure Medical will feature a daily listing of accessible vacation spots, outdoor programs and other events. This year’s theme is “travel everywhere your heart desires to go regardless of your paralysis,” and highlights activities like adaptive sports, accessible amusement parks, inclusive vacation spots and other unique travel outing across the United States. Participants can submit their photos for the contest here. The first place winner will receive a custom-built Razorback wheelchair courtesy of Colours Wheelchair, a GOEL summer tour T-shirt and the cover of the November issue of Sports ‘n Spokes.

People in the news: BOC, UPitt

The Board of Certification/Accreditation has added three employees: Judi Knott, chief marketing officer; Cecelia Huffman, marketing communications manager; and Tyrone Vines, business development specialist. “BOC is thrilled to welcome these three highly experienced employees to our team,” said President and CEO Claudia Zacharias. “As we expand our service offerings, we continue to focus on hiring professionals who enable us to carry out our mission, while continuing to deliver the customer service our credential-holders have come to expect”…Dr. Rory Cooper is stepping down as chairman of the Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology at the University of Pittsburgh to devote more time to directing the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) and serving as associate dean for inclusion in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). Cooper will remain chairman for a few months while the university evaluates and reorganizes the current structure of the Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology, and its diverse programs and academic offerings.


NSM buys Alabama Wheelchair Specialists

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08/17/2017
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has acquired Alabama Wheelchair Specialists in Birmingham, Ala. NSM will serve the company’s clients from its existing branch in Pelham, Ala. “This acquisition not only expands our service area in the state, but also broadens the service offerings and choices for individuals with mobility challenges in Alabama,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO. Assistive technology professionals Mike Oliver and Dave Nix, representing 77 years of experience, will continue to service clients from the Pelham branch. NSM will also add a funding specialist and technician to the branch’s staff. NSM also serves clients in the state from branches in Mobile and Montgomery, Ala. Already this year, NSM has acquired Mobility Healthcare, with locations in Carrollton and Lewisville, Texas; Dependable Medical Equipment in Seattle; Columbus Medical Equipment in Columbus, Ohio; and most recently, the mobility division of Wright & Filippis in Rochester Hills, Mich.

NSM aims to be ‘employer of choice’

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CEO Bill Mixon knows ‘employees are our growth engine’
08/28/2017
Liz Beaulieu

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility’s recent annual Seating Symposium kicked off with 73 new ATPs in attendance and closed out with a concert by country singer-songwriter John Rich.

It’s all par for the course for a company pursing excellence in employment and a best-in-class culture.

“We’re working hard on new training programs for employees and just our overall relationship with them, including the benefits we offer,” said Bill Mixon, CEO and president. “We’re trying to create an environment where we’re the employer of choice in the complex rehab market.”

In addition to employment and culture, clinical choice rounded out the areas of focus for the conference, which had the theme “Journey to Excellence.”

Clinical choice, Mixon says, empowers NSM’s ATPs to make their own decisions about what products and technologies they provide to clients.

“They’re professionals, so we don’t dictate that,” he said. “They make that decision based on what makes the most sense and what provides the best care. By doing that, we have a higher probability at better outcomes, in conjunction with better satisfaction from referral sources.”

A happy and empowered workforce greases the wheels for NSM’s larger goals of operational excellence (“We work to get a little better at everything we do every day, from the perspective of our cycle times and other aspects of the business,” Mixon said) and growth.

“We see a growing business as a robust business and a healthy business,” he said.

If NSM’s current growth is any indication, the company is both. It added 21 new branches, year over year, in 2016-17. In August, it added the complex rehab business of Wright & Filippis in Rochester Hills, Mich., and in June it acquired Mobility Healthcare in Carrollton and Lewisville, Texas.

Despite rapid consolidation in the complex rehab market in the past few years, “we believe there is still continued opportunity to pursue good companies that share our values,” Mixon said.

NSM is also fueling growth by hammering out exclusive distributor agreements with vendors (its latest is with WHILL, whose Model M is a more cash-oriented wheelchair) and expanding its home accessibility business, AccessNSM.

“That’s a multi-billion dollar market that’s growing at 10%-plus,” Mixon said. “By the end of 2017, we expect to have somewhere between 18 to 20 locations in the U.S. We are very bullish on that market.”

But at the end of the day, NSM is in the people business, Mixon says, and that means employees are central to its success.

“They’re our growth engine,” he said.

NSM promotes two

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08/31/2017
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has named Charles Sargeant as senior vice president, it announced Aug. 30. Previously, Sargeant served as regional vice president driving business for NSM in the west. The provider has named Katie Stevens as regional vice president. She has served I business development and operations roles at NSM for the past decade. “NSM is committed to invest in key talent as the company continues to grow,” said Bill Mixon, CEO. “I am pleased to announce the promotions of Charles Sargeant and Katie Stevens.” 

NSM hits five locations in Pennsylvania

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09/07/2017
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has acquired the rehab division of Harrisburg, Pa.-based Dynamic Healthcare Services. NSM now has five locations in Pennsylvania, according to a press release. Two of Dynamic Healthcare’s ATPs will join the NSM team. “This acquisition strengthens NSM’s presence in Pennsylvania, allowing our teams to serve clients across the state,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO. “We are pleased to add this location to our growing national network of branches.” Earlier this summer, NSM bought Mobility Healthcare in Texas.

In brief: Teleflex boosts urology presence, complex rehab providers make buys

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09/08/2017
HME News Staff

WAYNE, Pa. – Teleflex will buy NeoTract for $1.1 billion in a move that significantly expands its urological product offerings, the company announced Sept. 5.

NeoTract, maker of the UroLift System, had revenues of about $51 million in 2016 compared to about $18 million in 2015, representing 178% year-over-year growth. For 2017, NeoTract expects revenues to be between $115 million and $120 million, and for 2018, it expects them to grow at least 40%.

“This combination is expected to solidify Teleflex’s ability to generate mid-single digit constant currency revenue growth for the next several years, as well as enhance Teleflex’s margin profile,” said Benson Smith, chairman and CEO of Teleflex. “NeoTract is a truly unique company with a differentiated technology that targets a greater than $30 billion addressable market, and through their internally developed, patented UroLift System, have achieved sequential quarterly revenue growth of 20% or greater in 13 of the past 14 quarters. Importantly, while we believe NeoTract has compelling growth opportunities as they continue to penetrate the market.”

Founded in 2004, NeoTract is a privately held medical device company that has developed and commercialized the FDA-cleared UroLift System, a minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.

Under the terms of the agreement, Teleflex will acquire NeoTract for an upfront cash payment of $725 million at closing, and up to an additional $375 million upon the achievement of certain commercial milestones related to sales through the end of 2020. The boards of directors of both Teleflex and NeoTract have unanimously approved the transaction.

Numotion buys Academy Medical Equipment

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Numotion has expanded its footprint in Southern and Central California, as well as Nevada, with its acquisition of Academy Medical Equipment. Las Vegas-based Academy Medical Equipment, which has been in business for more than 17 years, has seven locations—six in California and one in Las Vegas. Fifty-nine employees at Academy Medical Equipment will transition to the Numotion team, including ATPs, as well as professionals in customer care, service and repair, payer relations, medical documentation and order processing. Also this year, Numotion acquired the complex rehab division of CVC Home Medical in Wilmington, N.C.; Horns Medical Supply in Athens, Texas; the complex rehab division of BlueDot Medical in Charlotte, N.C.; and the complex rehab division of the Ability Center in San Diego. Numotion says it has more than 130 locations across the country and serves more than 250,000 people annually.

NSM hits five locations in Pennsylvania

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has acquired the rehab division of Harrisburg, Pa.-based Dynamic Healthcare Services. NSM now has five locations in Pennsylvania, according to a press release. Two of Dynamic Healthcare’s ATPs will join the NSM team. “This acquisition strengthens NSM’s presence in Pennsylvania, allowing our teams to serve clients across the state,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO. “We are pleased to add this location to our growing national network of branches.” Earlier this summer, NSM bought Mobility Healthcare in Texas.

Golden Technologies lines up consumer financing

OLD FORGE, Pa. – Golden Technologies has partnered with CareCredit to offer its dealers a new financing solution, the lift chair manufacturer announced Sept. 6. Through the partnership, dealers can now offer their customers a dedicated line of credit to pay for costs not covered by insurance. Financing offered through CareCredit can span six, 12 or 18 months, with dealers receiving payment in just two days, according to a press release. “We are excited about this strategic relationship with CareCredit and how it can best help our retailers,” said C.J. Copley, Golden’s executive vice president of sales and marketing. “Durable medical equipment retailers often face challenges in helping consumers get an ideal product while working under the constraints of increasing deductibles and rising insurance premiums. CareCredit’s financing solution program will help consumers cover the costs for retail-cash purchases at a time in their life when they need it most.” CareCredit works with more than 200,000 enrolled healthcare providers and select health-focused retailers across the country.

Alliqua sells TheraBond line

YARDLEY, Pa. – Alliqua BioMedical has sold its TheraBond 3D Antimicrobial Barrier Systems product line to Argentum Medical, a manufacturer of metallic silver-based, antimicrobial wound dressings, for approximately $.38 million, it announced Sept. 5. Alliqua will use sale proceeds for working capital purposes and to reduce its outstanding debt balance. Argentum is a portfolio company of Shore Capital Partners, a private equity firm.

Rotech employee sentenced in identify theft

PLANT CITY, Fla. – Sharmekia Young, a former employee of Rotech Healthcare, was sentenced to three years in prison for conspiracy and aggravated identity theft, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa and as reported in The Ledger. Young worked at Rotech’s Lakeland billing center, where she allegedly used her access to the provider’s secure databases to obtain the personal information of 957 people. The information was sold and used to create fake credit cards and Florida driver’s licenses. She conspired with another Rotech employee, Fontella James, who was sentenced in June to 32 months in prison.

Study refines link between sleep apnea, other diseases

BALTIMORE – Untreated sleep apnea can contribute to a range of conditions associated with heart disease and diabetes, according to a new study conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers. The study found increases in blood sugar, fat levels, stress hormones, and blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The findings, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, may help to refine the scientific debate over whether sleep apnea is just a manifestation of obesity, or an active contributor to associated health problems like diabetes and heart disease, researchers say. The study also emphasizes the importance of CPAP as a treatment solution: Researchers found that withdrawing CPAP in sleeping patients increased levels of free fatty acids, glucose and cortisol—all conditions linked to diabetes.

CareMotion adds virtual assistant to website

CLEVELAND  – CareMotion, a growing online retailer of home medical equipment, has launched a virtual shopping assistant designed to eliminate the pain points associated with online purchases. The assistant asks customers to enter basic health and fitness information, allowing it to recommend the best products to fit their needs. “All of us at Care Motion are advocates for helping seniors enjoy a higher quality of life while living at home, independently," said Aaron Cavano, president. "We developed the shopping assistant to ensure customers find the right products at the lowest prices, and we believe this technology will revolutionize how home medical equipment is purchased." CareMotion, which prioritizes cash-paying customers over third-party insurance, offers same-day shipping, a 30-day money back guarantee, and at-home repairs and installations. Its website carries brands like Drive Medical, EZ-Access, Inogen, Invacare, Pride Mobility Products and more.

Date stamp requirement updated

WASHINGTON – The DME MACs have updated the Dear Physician letter to remove the requirement for a date stamp or similar to prove a supplier has received a written order prior to delivery of an item, according to a bulletin from AAHomecare. Now, the date of the physician signature must be on or before the date of delivery. The requirement is mandated by the Affordable Care Act.

Short takes: Option Care, Medicine Shoppe, ACHC, Abilene CPAP Sales & Supplies

Bannockburn, Ill.-based Option Care, an independent provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, has signed an agreement to become a national contracted provider of Radicava, an IV infusion treatment for ALS. Radicava is the first ALS treatment option approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in more than 20 years. Option Care says its national payer network includes contracts with more than 800 health plans, ensuring broad access to the treatment…After more than two years of planning, the new Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in DuQuoin, Ill., is near completion, according to the Harrisburg Register. The 3,000-square-foot pharmacy, which will also carry DME, is expected to open in the next two months with added features like drive-up windows and better parking…Cary, N.C.-based The Accreditation Commission for Health Care has been approved by the New Mexico Department of Health as the first accreditation organization permitted to perform accreditation surveys in lieu of an initial state licensure survey for home health and hospice facilities…Speaking of accreditation, Abilene, Kan.-based Abilene CPAP Sales & Supplies was recently accredited by the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation. The company was started by husband-and-wife team Curtis and Sheree Osland, CPAP users themselves, about three years ago.

NSM expands to Nebraska

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09/28/2017
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has opened a new branch in Lincoln, Neb., its first in the state. The location will provide complex rehab services across southeast Nebraska. “NSM is proud to extend our CRT expertise and offerings to clients in Nebraska, said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO. “We’re committed to growing our national network of experienced assistive technology providers to reach more individuals in need of mobility solutions.”

NSM completes expanded ops center

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11/07/2017
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE – National Seating & Mobility has completed the expansion and remodeling of its operations center in Chattanooga, Tenn. To commemorate the occasion, NSM hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Nov. 3, with guests of honor that included NSM CEO Bill Mixon and Republican state Sen. Bo Watson. The operations center now has more than 20,000 square feet of additional space to accommodate the company’s continued growth. The center, which now features an open design and break rooms, houses NSM’s payer relations, accounting, billing and collection departments, employing more than 200.


In brief: McMorris Rodgers circulates letter, AAHomecare releases white paper

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11/10/2017
HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – A “Dear Colleague” letter asking representatives to sign on to H.R. 4229 is being circulated by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa.

The pair introduced the bill with 53 original co-sponsors Nov. 2. It currently has 58 co-sponsors.

H.R. 4229 would extend a retroactive delay of a second round of reimbursement cuts from Jan. 1, 2017, to Jan. 1, 2019, as well as address a “double-dip” reimbursement cut to oxygen therapy. The delay was passed per a provision in the 21st Century Cures Act.

The letter states: This equipment cannot save lives if it isn’t made available to those who need it most, especially in rural communities where we know barriers to access healthcare already exist.

A recent survey by Dobson DaVanzo & Associates and commissioned by AAHomecare, found that more than 60% of case managers saw an increase in the number of Medicare beneficiaries who have developed medical complications, received emergency care or were readmitted to a hospital due to issues related to obtaining proper and/or timely access to DME.

AAHomecare releases rehab white paper

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare’s Complex Rehab and Mobility Council has created a new white paper that clearly explains the difference between complex rehab technology and standard mobility products. The three-page paper describes the products, including photos of products and their accessories, as well as the clinical/personnel involvement required in each category. ‘Many outside the industry don’t understand the fundamental differences between the two categories,” said Nancy Froslie, CMR chair and manager of district store operations for Sanford HealthCare Accessories.

CMS offers appeals settlement

WASHINGTON – CMS recently announced a low volume appeals settlement for Part A and Part B appeals at the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeal and the Medical appeals Council. The option is limited to appellants with less than 500 appeals and each individual appeal must total $9,000 or less. The settlement is for 62% of the allowed amount minus the copay, according to a bulletin from AAHomecare. As of August 2017, the Office of Medicare Hearings & Appeals had 591,962 total appeals pending—an increase of 300% since 2016. The number of DMEPOS appeals as of Oct. 12 is 291,047.

CMS to update definitions for shoe inserts

WASHINGTON – CMS has proposed revising the definitions of custom fabricated and therapeutic inserts in Appendix C of the DMEPOS Quality Standards to account for new technology. Historically, the best way to fit an individual with diabetes for inserts was to create a physical model of their foot using negative impression. CMS now acknowledges, however, that advancements in computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technology eliminate the need to create an actual model of the patient’s foot. Instead, CAD/CAM technology now allows the direct milling of an insert without molding or negative impression. CMS has scheduled a Special Open Door Forum on Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. EST to discuss the changes. Stakeholders may email comments on the changes to ReducingProviderBurden@cms.hhs.gov through Dec. 11. CMS plans to finalize the revisions prior to Jan. 1, 2018. The American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association was among the groups pressuring CMS to make the changes.

Sommetrics enters Canadian market

SAN DIEGO – Sommetrics has partnered with AvantSleep to distribute its sleep apnea therapy system, aerSleep, to Canadians diagnosed with OSA. AvantSleep will distribute aerSleep, which uses negative external air pressure to maintain an open airway during sleep, in select markets to start, with a full launch planned in 2018. Sommetrics recently received a Health Canada Medical Device License for aerSleep, paving the way for it to be marketed there. The services of AvantSleep, a network of sleep therapy clinics across Canada, include home sleep testing and treatments.

Munson Healthcare moves, expands

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Munson Healthcare Home Medical Equipment has a new location and more space, according to a local newspaper. The new, 5,252-square-foot space will allow the provider to expand its product offerings, which include scooters, lift chairs, urologicals and compression garment. Munson will offer more breast pumps, nebulizers and respiratory supplies in its expanded “Kid’s Corner,” and has added therapeutic shoes in response to customer demand.

Aeroflow consolidates inventory under one roof

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Aeroflow Healthcare has purchased a new building and fulfillment facility in Asheville, N.C., in a move that the company says is a reflection of its continued growth and increased productivity. The new 35,000-square-foot facility will consolidate product inventories currently housed in two separate locations in Asheville, resulting in increased efficiency and improved rates of delivery, according to a press release. Aeroflow will employ about 30 procurement, distribution and clinical services employees at the facility when it opens this fall, with plans to add about 50 employees by the end of 2018. The facility is less than four miles from Aeroflow’s corporate headquarters on Sweeten Creek Road.

Sports ‘N Spokes names winners

PHOENIX – Sports ‘N Spokes, the sports and recreation magazine of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, has announced the winners of its “Get Out & Enjoy Life” photo contest. First place goes to Ashlee Lundvall of Wyoming for her photo of fly-fishing. Lundvall will receive a custom-built Razorback wheelchair courtesy of Colours Wheelchairs, a GOEL T-shirt and the cover spot on the November issue of S’NS magazine. Second place goes to Seth Conroy of Nevada for his photo of Horseshoe Bend in Arizona; and third place goes to Ismael Arena of New York for his photo of “Columbia off-roading.” It’s the seventh year that S’NS, along with the Spina Bifida Association and Cure Medical, have sponsored the contest.

ResMed adds remote patient monitoring to AirMini

SAN DIEGO – ResMed’s AirMini, a travel CPAP device, is now connected to its AirView remote patient monitoring platform. The connectivity between AirMini and AirView allows HME providers to see a patient’s nightly data, verify adherence and spot any issues. ResMed sees monitoring as a key factor in proper therapy, citing a recent study that found 87% of patients were adherent when remote and self-monitoring tools were used. Once patients download or update the latest "AirMini by ResMed 1.2" app and opt in to upload data to the cloud, providers can view the same reports, charts, notes and therapy thresholds in AirView just like they can for ResMed's bedside Air10 devices. Providers can register their patients' AirMini devices through the AirView, Brightree or U-Sleep patient management platforms. ResMed launched the AirMini earlier this year.

NSM completes expanded ops center

NASHVILLE – National Seating & Mobility has completed the expansion and remodeling of its operations center in Chattanooga, Tenn. To commemorate the occasion, NSM hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Nov. 3, with guests of honor that included NSM CEO Bill Mixon and Republican state Sen. Bo Watson. The operations center now has more than 20,000 square feet of additional space to accommodate the company’s continued growth. The center, which now features an open design and break rooms, houses NSM’s payer relations, accounting, billing and collection departments, employing more than 200.

NJ train operators screened for sleep disorders

HOBOKEN N.J. – NJ Transit has taken 44 train engineers out of service until they meet treatment requirements for sleep apnea, according to NJ.com. NJ Transit screened 373 engineers for sleep disorders. Out of those engineers, 57 were taken out of service until a full sleep study could be conducted: 13 were found not to have a sleep disorder. The National Transportation Safety Board has confirmed that an engineer operating the train that crashed Sept. 29, 2016, suffered from severe sleep apnea. One woman was killed and 108 people were injured.

Short takes: Universal Software, Metamason

Metamason has been named a CES 2018 Innovation Awards Honoree for its Miia nasal hybrid mask. The mask leverages 3D scans of each patient’s face to ensure a custom mask. The awards are evaluated on aesthetic and design qualities, intended use/function and user value, unique/novel features present and how the design and innovation of the product directly compares to other products in the marketplace…Universal Software Solutions has released HDMS Scheduler, a tool to increase interoperability between different departments. The HDMS Schedulers allows providers to define appointment location, room types, professionals conducting the appointment, and the appointment types themselves.

 

In brief: MedPAC recommends CMS shift more products into bid program, AmerisourceBergen buys H.D. Smith

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11/22/2017
HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee made payment policy recommendations for non-competitively bid DMEPOS during a meeting earlier this month, according to Epstein Becker & Green, a healthcare law firm. MedPAC plans to recommend that CMS shift more products away from the “excessive” fee schedule to bid rates. It also plans to call for “immediate reduced payment rates for certain non-CBP products while CMS works on incorporating them into the CBP,” the law firm reports in a post for The National Review. Alternatively, MedPAC plans to recommend a policy option that would have CMS consider capping balance billing at a percentage of the fee schedule rate and reduce the allowed amount by 5% for non-participating providers, the law firm reported.

AmerisourceBergen buys H.D. Smith

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., and SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – AmerisourceBergen will purchase H.D. Smith for $815 million in cash, the two companies have announced.

H.D. Smith is among the largest wholesalers in the country, providing a full line of brand name, generic and specialty drugs from 10 distribution centers across the U.S.

“The acquisition of H. D. Smith strengthens our core business and expands and enhances our strategic scale in U.S. pharmaceutical distribution,” said Steven Collis, chairman, president and CEO of AmerisourceBergen, a provider of pharmaceutical products that generates more than $150 billion in annual revenues.

H. D. Smith subsidiaries Triplefin, a pharmaceutical brand support provider, and Arete Pharmacy Network, a pharmacy services administrative organization, are not part of the acquisition.

AmerisourceBergen plans to fund the acquisition through the issuance of new long-term debt.

The acquisition is expected to be slightly accretive to AmerisourceBergen’s adjusted diluted earnings per share in fiscal year 2018, and be about $0.15 accretive to adjusted EPS in fiscal year 2021.

For fiscal year 2018, AmerisourceBergen now expects revenue growth to be in the range of 8% to 11%, adjusted operating income growth to be in the range of 4% to 7%, and operating growth income for its Pharmaceutical Distribution Services segment to be in the range of 4% to 7%.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory review and other closing conditions, and is expected to close in early calendar 2018.

Part B premiums, deductibles remain stable for 2018

WASHINGTON – The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $134 for 2018, the same as 2017, CMS has announced.

Some beneficiaries who were protected from Part B premium increases in prior years will have increases in 2018, but they will be offset by the increases in their Social Security benefits next year, CMS says.

“Medicare’s top priority is to ensure that beneficiaries have choices for affordable, high-quality care that fit their needs,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “Next year, no beneficiary protected by the hold-harmless provision will see a Part B premium increase that is greater than the increase in their Social Security benefits. We encourage Medicare beneficiaries to explore their options to make an informed choice between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage before Open Enrollment ends on Dec. 7.”

The average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage enrollees will drop to about $30 in 2018, about a 6% decrease compared to 2017, CMS estimates. More than 77% of Medicare Advantage enrollees remaining on their current plans will have the same or lower premiums for 2018, the agency says.

The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $183 in 2018, the same as 2017.

Providers meet with Verma

MODESTO, Calif. – Representatives of Home Oxygen Company attended a Nov. 20 meeting with Rep. Jeff Dunham, R-Calif., and CMS Administrator Seema Verma to discuss the challenges of rural providers in California. “Administrator Verma was very attentive to our needs and knowledgeable of our challenges,” said Andrea Ewert, president and CEO of Home Oxygen Company. “Our representatives were able to articulate the challenges of running a business and serving Medicare beneficiaries in this financially compressed market.” Denham is a co-sponsor of H.R. 4229, which seeks to extend a retroactive delay of a second round of reimbursement cuts in non-bid areas from Jan. 1, 2017, to Jan. 1, 2019. The bill currently has 71 co-sponsors.

Aeroflow partners with Stratice to digitize orders

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Aeroflow Breastpumps & Urology has partnered with Stratice Healthcare to use eOrdersPlus to digitize orders for medical equipment. eOrdersPlus, developed and operated by Stratice Healthcare, allows Aeroflow to capture documentation, physician signatures and other order-related information using a cloud-based solution. “We are always looking for additional avenues that ease the process for our partners and provide higher quality patient care," said Amanda Baethke, strategic partnerships manager at Aeroflow Healthcare. "Their system links to all the major EHR platforms in our area, and provides an easy way for physicians to prescribe to us directly.”eOrdersPlus eliminates multiple phone calls, duplicate faxes and time-consuming data entry, creating a better experience from start to finish, Aeroflow says.

ResMed study results published in CHEST

SAN DIEGO – Patient engagement apps significantly improve adherence to CPAP therapy, according to a ResMed study now published in CHEST. Patients whose nightly use was remotely and self-monitored via ResMed’s Airview and myAir platforms were more than 87% adherent on therapy, compared to 70% of those only remotely monitored, according to the study. “CHEST’s publication is a significant call for clinicians to recommend self-monitoring tools for PAP patients,” said Carlos Nunez, M.D., ResMed’s chief medical officer. “I also believe these tools could help patients on therapies beyond sleep as well, since half of all patients don’t take their medications as prescribed.” ResMed has billed the study, first presented at the CHEST 2016 conference in Los Angeles, as the world’s largest to look at sleep apnea and self-monitoring, with 128,000 patients participating.

Toyota challenge to benefit people with lower-limb paralysis

LOS ANGELES – The Toyota Mobility Foundation, in partnership with Nesta’s Challenge Prize Centre, has launched a $4 million global challenge to change the lives of people with lower-limb paralysis, culminating with the unveiling of winners in Tokyo in 2020. The challenge seeks teams around the world to create game-changing technology that will help radically improve the mobility and independence of paralyzed people. Technology could include anything from exoskeletons, to artificial intelligence and machine learning, to cloud computing. A panel of expert judges will pick five finalists who will each receive $500,000 to take their concepts from an intelligent insight to a prototype. The winner will receive $1 million to help get their product to market. Among the ambassadors supporting the challenge is Rory Cooper, director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh.

NSM names new CIO

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has named Mark Marschke its new CIO. The national complex rehab provider recruited Marschke from a unit of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. He will oversee NSM’s technology strategies and solutions. Most recently, Marschke was CIO of Atlanta-based Larson-Juhl, which designs and makes picture frames. During his time at Larson-Juhl, he was a member of the Berkshire-Hathaway CIO Council.

PHM seeks to finalize restructuring

LAFAYETTE, La. – Patient Home Monitoring on Dec. 15 will ask security holders to vote on splitting the company in two. PHM will become a DME company specializing in delivering and servicing oxygen therapy, sleep apnea treatment and mobility equipment; and Viemed will become a respiratory company specializing in non-invasive vents for patients with COPD, CHF and neuromuscular conditions. PHM announced plans to split into two different companies last year. PHM’s board of directors has unanimously approved the arrangement and recommends that security holders also vote in favor of it. Shares of PHM will continue to be listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under PHM, and shares of Viemed will be listed under VMD.

BraunAbility names new leader

WINAMAC, Ind. – The board of directors of BraunAbility, a manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles and lifts, has selected Staci Kroon as the company’s new president and CEO effective Nov. 27. She will also serve as the board’s director. The announcement follows the retirement of Nick Gutwein, who has led BraunAbility since 2008. Kroon comes to BraunAbility from Eaton Corp., a $20 billion global technology leader in power management solutions, where she was most recently executive vice president of Eaton Business Systems. Previously, she was president of Eaton’s automotive business in North America. Gutwein, who has elected to pursue his work in the ministry full time, will remain a member of BraunAbility’s board of directors.

RESNA updates position paper on pediatrics

ARLINGTON, Va. – RESNA has published an updated position paper on the application of power mobility devices for pediatric users. The goal of the paper is to share typical clinical applications, as well as provide evidence from literature, supporting the application of power mobility for young children and to assist practitioners in decision-making and justification. The paper, approved by RESNA’s board of directors on Nov. 2, has now been updated with more current and additional scientific literature. The paper, which was worked on by a working group of three or more experts and underwent a 30-day public comment period, is valid for five years.

NSM lands distribution deal for Splashy

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12/05/2017
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has been named the exclusive U.S. distributor of the new Splashy portable bath seat from Firefly. The seat adapts to a child’s postural support needs, with the option of a five-point harness or the three-point pelvic support. “The Splashy is a great addition to our product offerings for children with mobility needs and their families,” said Bill Mixon, CEO. The seat will be available through NSM and AccessNSM branches nationwide. U.K.-based Firefly is part of the Leckey Group, a designer and manufacturer of clinically focused pediatric postural support products.

In brief: Invacare reduces workforce, Gilligan replaces Diamond at Drive

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12/08/2017
HME News Staff

ELYRIA, Ohio – Invacare will reduce its workforce by about 110 employees to generate $8.5 million in pre-tax savings, the company announced Dec. 7.

The move, which affects employees in North America, is part of a multi-year strategic plan to transforms Invacare into a more clinically focused company, says Matthew Monaghan, chairman, president and CEO.

“This reduction in force, while difficult, is an essential part of the second phase of our transformation toward becoming a more sustainably profitable, growing business," he said. "We are realigning our North America infrastructure with our new sales levels and finding more efficient ways to do business. Through this action, we are empowering employees to drive simplification and enhance customer engagement. We expect the result to lead to improved cost-effectiveness as we pursue growth.”

In November, Invacare reported net sales of $79.5 million for the third quarter of 2017, a 2.3% increase from the prior quarter.

Due to the reduction, Invacare expects to incur restructuring charges of about $2.6 million on a pre-tax basis in the fourth quarter of 2017.

This latest round of lay-offs comes less than a year after the company announced in January that it would reduce its workforce by approximately 100 employees.

Vent bill back in play

WASHINGTON – Three senators have introduced a bill that would, they say, establish a clear medical guideline for non-invasive ventilators, the VGM Group reports.

S. 2175, the “Beneficiary Respiratory Equipment Access and Transparency to Home Ventilator Care” or the BREATH Act of 2017, would also pave the way for providers to receive a possible increase in reimbursement for non-invasive vents, pending any decreases in utilization.

Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., introduced the bill on Nov. 30.

Cassidy and Grassley also introduced a similar bill last year, in response to sweeping changes that CMS has made to non-invasive vents, including reducing the number of codes for the product category from five to two, and reducing reimbursement by about 33%.

A companion bill in the House of Representatives will likely be introduced soon, with Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Ind., leading those efforts, according to VGM.

In the past, stakeholders have also supported efforts by several pulmonary groups to get CMS to reconsider its national coverage determination for vents. In particular, the groups want the agency to clinically define respiratory failure and mechanical ventilators/ventilation; and create objective, consistent criteria for providing the products.

Gilligan replaces Diamond as Drive CEO

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. – Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare has named Bob Gilligan, former CEO of GE Industrial Solutions, as its new CEO. Gilligan replaces Harvey Diamond, who has assumed the role of vice chairman. In his new role, Diamond will serve as senior adviser to the company and as a “voice to customers, vendors and investors,” according to a press release. He will also continue to serve as a member of the company’s board of directors. Gilligan brings to Drive more than 30 years of experience in both manufacturing and services businesses in industries spanning health care, technology, and heavy industrial and electric utilities. In his latest role, Gilligan successfully led the transformation of GE Industrial Solutions into a $3.6 billion global business.

Growth in health spending slows

WASHINGTON – National health spending increased 4.3% in 2016 compared to 5.8% in 2015, according to a new study by the Office of the Actuary at CMS. The health spending share of the economy was 17.9% in 2016.  Previously, the health spending share of the economy increased 0.5 percentage point from 17.2% in 2013 to 17.7% in 2015. The increases in health spending share of the economy were attributed to coverage expansion for 8.7 million individuals gaining private health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and 10.2 million gaining Medicaid coverage.

PharMerica sells to investment firm

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – PharMerica, a specialty pharmacy services provider, has been acquired by global investment firm KKR and Walgreens Boots Alliance, it announced Dec. 7. PharMerica shareholders will receive an amount in cash equal to $29.25 per share of PharMerica common stock, without interest, and its stock will cease trading on the NYSE, according to a press release. PharMerica operates 96 institutional pharmacies, 20 specialty home infusion pharmacies and 5 specialty oncology pharmacies in 45 states. In March, PharMerica acquired New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based CareMed Specialty Pharmacy.

Butler marks 60 years, throws party

LEWISBERRY, Pa. – Butler Mobility Products will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house to celebrate its 60th anniversary at its new corporate headquarters on Dec. 13. The daylong celebration, held at 571 Industrial Drive in Lewisberry, Pa., will feature special discounts and coupons, gift certificate giveaways and food, according to a press release. "We are excited to share our new facility, expansion of mobility equipment and special 60th year celebration with our special guests and community," said Butler Mobility President and CEO Michael Carlini.  Butler is best known for its Inclined Platform Lifts.

ResMed named finalist

SAN DIEGO – ResMed has been named a finalist for “Medtech Company of the Year” by MD+DI, a news resource in the medical device and diagnostic industry. Among ResMed’s accomplishments, MD+DI highlighted its milestone of capturing 1 billion nights of monitored sleep apnea therapy and a CHEST-published study showing its self-monitoring app myAir can help boost therapy adherence to 87%. “ResMed has made strides this year in encouraging patient adherence with treatment and easing their ability to track progress,” MD+DI stated in its announcement. MD+DI will announce the “Medtech Company of the Year” on Dec. 11. Other finalists include Abbott, Baxter, Bigfoot Biomedical and Pentax Medical.

NSM lands distribution deal for Splashy

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has been named the exclusive U.S. distributor of the new Splashy portable bath seat from Firefly. The seat adapts to a child’s postural support needs, with the option of a five-point harness or the three-point pelvic support. “The Splashy is a great addition to our product offerings for children with mobility needs and their families,” said Bill Mixon, CEO. The seat will be available through NSM and AccessNSM branches nationwide. U.K.-based Firefly is part of the Leckey Group, a designer and manufacturer of clinically focused pediatric postural support products.

Provider short takes: Integrated HomeCare, VitalCare

Rockford, Ill.-based Integrated HomeCare Services has opened a new storefront in Beloit, Wis., according to the Beloit Daily News. Integrated HomeCare has served customers in Beloit for the last 30 years, but CEO Mark Hatch told the newspaper “it was time” to open a storefront in the city to grow its presence in the Stateline Area. “We felt there was a marketplace need, so we organized all the pieces to get it going,” he said. Integrated HomeCare’s top-selling HME include sleep therapy equipment, beds, mobility products and lift chairs…Cheboygan, Mich.-based VitalCare, the home care, hospice, private duty, HME and adult day center affiliate of McLaren Northern Michigan, will take the McLaren name starting Jan. 1, according to the Cheboygan News. The HME business, specifically, will be renamed McLaren Home Medical Equipment.

People news

Laura Williardhas been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Home Medical Equipment & Services Association of New England. Williard is vice president for payer relations at AAHomecare…VGM & Associates has announced that Scott Owen will transition from vice president of sales to vice president of contracting. Taking Owen’s spot as vice president of sales: RJ Meyer, previously with Biotronik Cardiac Rhythm Management…Merits Health Products has named Kirk Grau as regional rehab sales manager of central U.S. and Bret Tracy as regional rehab sales manager of East Coast. Grau and Tracy will work directly with Chris Blackmore, national director of business and product development. 

NSM heads north

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12/14/2017
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility is opening locations in Anchorage, Alaska, and Olympia, Wash., it announced Dec. 13. The Anchorage branch will be its first in Alaska. “The continued growth of the company supports our goal to reach more clients in need of mobility solutions,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO. “We are excited to operate our first location in Alaska and to expand our presence in the Washington area.” NSM has been expanding across the country—it’s most recent acquisition was Mobility Unlimited in Texas.

NSM extends partnership with WHILL

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01/24/2018
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – NSM has extended its partnership with WHILL Inc. Per the partmership, NSM will serve as the national complex rehab distributor of the new Model Ci power mobility device. WHILL’s Model Ci has two motors, front omni-wheels, easy-to-use controllers and the ability to disassemble into three parts. NSM and WHILL previously announced an exclusive nationwide complex rehab agreement for the Model M power wheelchair in July 2017.

NSM starts ‘new beginning’

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02/23/2018
Liz Beaulieu

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – After several years of aggressive growth through acquisitions, a new brand identity will help to “unify” National Seating & Mobility, company officials say.

“I liken it to a blended family coming together and living in a new home,” said Stephanie Buckley, vice president of marketing. “It represents a new beginning.”

NSM now has a new logo, tagline, mission and vision statements, and core values, thanks to a months-long process that included surveying almost 2,000 referral sources, clients, payers and employees.

In addition to acquisitions, some of them large like Hudson Seating & Mobility in Newington, Conn., NSM has also added numerous ATPs to its team organically.

“We wanted to unify all these fantastic people under a refreshed brand,” said CEO Bill Mixon. “We feel great that it’s also scalable to the future.”

To Mixon’s point, the new brand emphasizes all things mobility. NSM’s mission statement, for example, talks about delivering personalized solutions to those with mobility challenges, not just wheelchair challenges, keeping the door open to existing and future complementary businesses.

“We’re very excited about home access—that’s a real area of need for our clients,” he said of the company’s home accessibility division, AccessNSM, which has grown to 14 locations in 12 states. “We worked to make sure the brand will grow with us.”

As part of the rebrand, NSM mailed to employees at their homes packets that included a coin emblazoned with its core values (honor, excellence, accountability, respect, teamwork and service, or HEARTS) and a small card imprinted with its mission and vision statements.

“I have my coin in my pocket right now,” Buckley said. “It’s a reminder that we’re working together with a set of core values.”

NSM’s new tagline, “Let’s Get Moving,” hammers home that point, symbolizing how it is “working together” with clients to not only get them moving toward increased independence but also get the company moving toward improved cycle times and communication.

“We’re all in,” Buckley said.

 

 

 

 


NSM enters Pine Tree State

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03/15/2018
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has opened a branch in Bangor, Maine—its first in the state, it announced this week. The provider also plans to open a branch in Portland this spring. “We are proud to add these new locations and experienced professionals to the NSM family and look forward to partnering with healthcare providers to serve clients in these communities,” said CEO Bill Mixon. In December, NSM opened a branch in Anchorage, Alaska.

NSM cracks into Geisinger’s network

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03/21/2018
Liz Beaulieu

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility is an in-network complex rehab provider for Geisinger Health Plan, which serves nearly 600,000 members in Pennsylvania, for the first time.

NSM looks forward to working with Geisinger, a significant player in central Pennsylvania and one that emphasizes an integrated network of care providers, says Bill Mixon, CEO.

“Access, quality and cycle time are really the three components that we think about as it relates to our relationships with payers,” he said. “So to work with an integrated network like this—we feel great about it.”

NSM plans to service Geisinger members from its five branches in the state with 15 assistive technology professionals. If members are out of state, say traveling to Florida for the winter, the company can also serve them from other branches across the country.

Geisinger is not only integrated but also diversified, another draw for NSM, says Jeremy Stone, vice president of payer relations for NSM.

“We have the opportunity to provide services across all their lines of business, whether it’s their community plans, their Medicaid plans or their MA plans,” he said.

Because being in-network doesn’t guarantee NSM Geisinger’s business, the company is busy creating relationships with referring physicians and clinicians, Stone says.

“Being in-network is only one piece of the puzzle,” he said.

Geisinger isn’t the first health plan NSM has contracted with, nor will it likely be the last, Stone says.

“Across the country, we’re always looking to be in-network to create as much access as possible for individuals who rely on complex rehab to NSM,” Stone said.

Wisconsin recognizes complex rehab

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04/19/2018
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Legislation recognizing complex rehab as a separate benefit category has been passed in Wisconsin and signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker, according to a press release from National Seating & Mobility. “We were honored to stand alongside Gov. Walker to witness the adoption of CRT legislation protecting individuals with disabilities in Wisconsin,” said Ryan Peebles, NSM’s director of government affairs. “Our coalition has worked tirelessly for more than 18 months to advance education about the complexity of CRT solutions and the unique needs of individuals with disabilities who are in need of those services and products.” NSM has worked on getting AB-462 passed in the House and SB-381 in the Senate with NCART, Ki Mobility and Comfort Company for 18 months. The legislation helps to protect access to critical products and related services for individuals with significant disabilities by recognizing the specialized nature of complex rehab; and by establishing supplier standards that incorporate beneficiary and program safeguards already in place for Medicare.

National Seating & Mobility charts path

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Home accessibility to play large role in company’s growth plans
04/23/2018
Liz Beaulieu

 

ORLANDO, Fla. – Seventy-six ATPs new to National Seating & Mobility were part of the 600-plus attendees at the company’s annual symposium in March.

The symposium, in its 24th year, was a chance for NSM management and employees to highlight their accomplishments in 2017 and set goals for 2018, all under the theme “Journey to Excellence.”

“We want to chart a path for not only ourselves but also the industry to achieve excellence,” said CEO Bill Mixon. “The idea is that a journey is a collaborative process and it takes time.”

One highlight in NSM’s “Journey to Excellence” in 2017: a “fairly significant” reduction in the company’s cycle time of providing equipment and services to patients, Mixon says.

Looking head to 2018, NSM plans to pursue excellence across its four pillars of people, culture, operational excellence and growth.

“Beneath each of those are 15-20 strategic initiatives that we believe will help us get there,” Mixon said.

Under growth, NSM has a goal of providing home accessibility equipment and services from 75% of its 123 branches by the end of 2018, up from 50% right now.

“We’re really excited about home access,” Mixon said. “We view ourselves as a provider of mobility solutions and that’s not just wheelchairs. We see a real need in the market for these services.”

To get there, NSM plans to cross-train employees at existing branches in home accessibility, as well as add sales and account manager types.

“We very much plan to leverage our existing footprint,” Mixon said.

NSM makes ‘special’ buy

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0
04/25/2018
HME News Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has acquired Chattanooga-based Professional Rehab & Mobility. The deal, which also includes locations in Knoxville and Kingsport, allows NSM to expand its reach throughout Tennessee. “Tennessee is home to both our corporate headquarters in Franklin, and our operations center in Chattanooga, making this acquisition particularly special to NSM,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO, in a press release. Professional Rehab was launched in 2003 by respiratory therapists Theresa Crump and Vickie Jarrell. It sold its respiratory and DME segments and rebranded in 2017. “NSM’s client-focused approach was a good match for our team,” said Crump, co-owner. “We are excited to bring our community of clients the industry-leading resources NSM can provide.” In February, NSM made its first acquisition in Maine.

 

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