HME News

JUN 2016

HME News is the monthly business newspaper for home medical equipment providers. This controlled circulation publication reaches 17,100 home medical equipment services providers, including traditional HME dealers & suppliers, hospital- and pharmacy-o

Issue link: https://hme.epubxp.com/i/682935

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 14 of 23

Mobility hme news / june 2016 / www.hmenews.com 15 By Tracy Orzel, associate editor AUSTIN, Texas – NCART has asked its members to vote for Archer Hadley, a college student who w a s n o m i n a t e d f o r a 2 0 1 6 N a t i o n a l P h i l a n t h ro p y D a y Honors program award for his Wheelchair Challenge. "It's not about me getting the credit," said Hadley, a power wheelchair user. "I just love being a part of it." I n 2 0 1 4 , H a d l e y — t h e n a high school senior—helped raise $87,000 to install auto- matic push button doors at his alma mater, Austin High School. To raise money, students and teachers could challenge each other to spend an entire day in a wheelchair or donate $20 to the cause. The Wheelchair Challenge was documented by Hadley's classmates and turned into a CRT advocate helps community 'humbly catch up' short film, which was shown at the second annual White House Student Film Festival. Out of 1,500 submissions, only 15 were honored. The flm was also presented at last year's CRT Conference. Since then, Hadley has helped "You want to stretch yourself and learn," he said. While there will be more ses- sions and workshops for all attendees to choose from, the big- gest difference—at least for tradi- tional RESNA members—will be the addition of a Capitol Hill Day, a NCART/NRRTS conference sta- ple. Attendees will have the option to advocate for 1.) access to and funding for assistive technology or 2.) specifc complex rehab leg- islation that would prevent CMS f o u r o t h e r s c h o o l s i n s t a l l push button doors and raised $105,000 in total. "When I see a problem and I think I have a solution to fx it, I'm going to do my best to make that happen," he said. "That's my natural tendency." And he's just getting started. Hadley and his friends are orga- nizing a citywide wheelchair challenge this October in Aus- tin. Though the details are still being feshed out, Hadley says he hopes to take his message of accessibility to different busi- nesses throughout the city. "It surprises me how many don't have push button doors," Arthur hAdley raised $87,000 to install automatic push but- ton doors at Austin High School. The cost to equip fve doors: $40,000. To raise money, students and teachers challeneged each to spend a day in a wheelchair, or donate $20 toward the cause. The idea came to Hadley one rainy day when he was stuck outside with no one to open the door for him. hoveround simplifes doctor-patient interactions SARASOTA, Fla. – Hoveround has introduced a comprehensive kit for physicians to make it easier for them to identify and gather essential information about a pa- tient during an examination. The kit's documentation, charts and checklist also help ensure insur- ance requirements are properly evaluated and assessed during the examination. "Fitting a Hov- eround power chair to a patient's specifications is an important step in maintaining their comfort and well-being," said Tom Kruse, founder and president, in a re- lease. "Our kit helps assist doc- tors, staff and patients with select- ing the items available to build a Hoveround power chair." Late last year, the Offce of Inspector Gen- eral told Hoveround to repay the federal government $27 million for power mobility devices that it says did not meet Medicare require- ments. Hoveround disagreed with the fndings, saying that the OIG applied incorrect standards, and that the agency influenced the medical review and biased the results. …and debuts new video series Hoveround has launched a new "Care and Repair Series" to help its clients with technical questions they may have regarding its vari- ous mobility products. "The vid- eos were created to educate our tech support reps and clients on how to repair Hoveround equip- ment," said Jim Kruse, CEO, in a release. "The frst four videos and transcripts are available on our website." HOVEROUNd NOT ON LIST CoNTiNUED fRoM PREvioUS PAgE jOINT CONFERENCE CoNTiNUED fRoM PREvioUS PAgE PRIOR AUTHORIzATION CoNTiNUED fRoM PREvioUS PAgE that's supported by everyone." The only standing criticism of the demo by stakeholders: Acces- sories aren't included. Though CMS says that was an oversight, stakeholders want to make sure history doesn't repeat itself. "Group 3 chairs are typically he said. "It's been 25 years since the passing of the Ameri- cans with Disabilities Act and the world is still way behind. I'm here to help them humbly catch up." N o w a f re s h m a n a t T h e University of Texas at Austin, Hadley is studying government and says he hopes to become a lawmaker one day. hMe bidding cuts in its decision to lay off 20 workers from its headquar- ters. Overall cuts in Round 2 aver- aged 47%. Hoveround's recent troubles with the Offce of Inspector Gen- eral could also be why it wasn't on the list, say providers. Hoveround found itself in the agency's crosshairs in late 2015 after the OIG called for the compa- ny to repay the federal government $27 million after a random audit found that 154 PMD claims did not meet Medicare reimbursement requirements. Hoveround says the OIG applied incorrect standards. "They need to get their ducks in a row before they tackle any- thing (like competitive bidding)," said Rand Rice, offce manager at Orlando, Fla.-based Florida Mobil- ity & Medical Products. "Unless they get the government to relent on the amount, they're in serious trouble." hMe "They have more margins to work with than a retailer like me who doesn't have the beneft of selling at MSRP." -David Beshoar from implementing competitive bidding prices to complex rehab wheelchair accessories, as well as a pair of bills that would cre- ate a separate beneft category for complex rehab. "I think it will be a new and great experience for RESNA folks to literally take the message to Congress," said Brogioli. "It's democracy in action and it's our duty as citizens to inform and edu- cate our congressional offces who are there to serve us." hMe provided with several accesso- ries, which could be fairly expen- sive," said Bachenheimer. "The announcement didn't answer that question, but it's important as CMS moves forward with prior authorization for these two codes." hMe Keeping Accreditation in Check. Don't face the overwhelming process of accreditation alone. Just breathe. Our hands-on accreditation coaches will be there with you offering smart and effcient guidance along the way. Trust in our decade-proven process that streamlines accreditation through our unique step-by-step online system that lets you work at your own pace and stay on track. Let us help you get your accreditation in check today. Talk to an accreditation coach to fnd out why companies like yours turn to HQAA for the gold check of accreditation. Sign up and learn more at HQAA.org or 866-909-4722. See you at Heartland Conference!

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of HME News - JUN 2016