ATLANTA – After Emerald officials decided to consolidate the Medtrade East and Medtrade West shows into one annual event, the question became; When and where? “The suspense is over and the contract has been signed,” says York Schwab, show director. “Medtrade will head to Dallas and take place March 28-30, 2023.”

WASHINGTON, DC – As parents scramble to find baby formula, insurance companies and Medicaid plans need to cover breastmilk storage bags and the breast pump replacement parts to support the increased need to breastfeed and pump. Last week, infant formula out-of-stock rates climbed to 74% nationally, according to a recent article by Bloomberg press.[1] While the Biden Administration has taken some actions to provide relief, it will likely take months before those actions produce results. In the interim, it is important to consider ways we can make sure moms delivering today and tomorrow have access to the resources they need to ensure a successful breastfeeding journey. They need access to breast pumps prior to delivery and have continued access to vital breast pump supplies and milk storage bags.

WASHINGTON, DC - The American Association for Homecare has engaged Dobson | DaVanzo & Associates, a well-respected actuary firm, to conduct a...

AMARILLO, TX - President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare Act into law in 1965. Medicare is primarily for the elderly. This precipitated the...

On May 31, 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) published a report titled, “Medicare Improperly Paid Durable Medical Equipment Suppliers an Estimated $8 Million of the $40 Million Paid for Power Mobility Device Repairs.” The OIG sampled 922 PMD repairs from October 1, 2018- September 30, 2019 and found that 637 met Medicare requirements.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, seven states (CA, IA, MS, MT, NJ, NM, and SD) held Congressional primaries for one or both parties. Twenty-nine other states have primaries scheduled between next Tuesday and Sept. 13 – see a full schedule here.

AMARILLO, TX – Historically, DME suppliers have taken care of Medicare patients and have billed CMS directly. This is known as “Medicare fee-for-service” (or “Medicare FFS”). Also, historically, suppliers have taken care of state Medicaid patients and have billed state Medicaid programs directly (“Medicaid FFS”). All of this is changing. Today, about 47% of Medicare patients are covered by Medicare Managed Care Plans (commonly known as “Medicare Advantage Plans”) and about 70% of Medicaid patients are covered by Medicaid Managed Care Plans. These percentages are increasing.

GOOSE CREEK, SC – Industry legend Sheldon “Shelly” Prial died last month at the age of 95. Shelly’s passion, knowledge, and willingness to fight for...

ATLANTA – Medtrade West wrapped at the Phoenix Convention Center earlier this year, and show organizers are now putting their full attention on Medtrade East, scheduled for Oct. 24-26, 2022 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

AMARILLO, TX – All health care providers, including DME suppliers, should be aware of the federal anti-kickback statute (“AKS”). It is a criminal statute. The AKS prohibits a DME supplier from paying (or offering to pay) or receiving (or asking to receive) anything of value in exchange for (i) the referral of a patient covered by a federal health care program (“FHCP”), (ii) arranging for the referral of an FHCP patient, or (iii) recommending the purchase of a product or service covered by an FHCP. A number of federal circuits have adopted the “one purpose” test. This states that if one purpose behind paying a party is to reward the party for referrals, then the AKS is violated notwithstanding that the principal purpose behind the payments is to pay for legitimate services.