HME News in 10

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by Direct Supply.   In this episode of HME News in 10, Nick Bush, vice president of sales, Smart Products & Special Markets, at Direct Supply, explores how the growing trend of consumerism in health care is strengthening—not weakening—the role of HME providers.  “I think a big portion of it goes to the service side of it,” he says. “Medical equipment is really a local game (because) there is so much emotion tied to health care product decisions. It’s a decision people want to make where they trust who they’re deciding to work with. Price becomes less relevant in those situations.” Bush also shares insights on:  • How distributors and providers can collaborate to leverage their unique strengths  • Why speed has become the new currency in HME  • What it means to approach the future with “eyes wide open” and a readiness to embrace new care models 

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by Rhythm Healthcare.   In this episode of HME News in 10, Doug Francis, CEO of Rhythm Healthcare, talks about the HME “trailblazers” who are embracing portable oxygen concentrators.   “This is a provider who has invested, not only in the efficiencies that can be derived from POCs, but also turning that into clinical messaging to tell referral sources, ‘We’re a technology-forward company,’” he said. “When they take the time to educate on the benefits to the patient, and when they tell that story, they are seeing a 30%-plus increase in respiratory referrals.”   For Francis, the industry is at a tipping point where both the clinical community and the consumer are going to start demanding POCs – a great time to make the switch. Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty    Guest:  Doug Francis  

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by ACU-Serve. In this episode of HME News in 10 Jim Dragatsis, president of resupply at ACU-Serve, drills into the art of patient engagement and its impact on the success of an HME provider’s resupply program.  What makes a resupply program thrive? Dragatsis shares how providers must tailor their communication strategies to patient demographics and preferences, continuously monitor attrition rates, and refine their approach to keep patients engaged.  The payoff? Enhanced CPAP therapy adherence and consistent monthly revenue.  Tune in for practical insights and a candid look at what it takes to make resupply work.  Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty    Guest:  Jim Dragatsis  

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by Prochant. Today’s guest is Joey Graham, CEO of Prochant. He joins HME News in 10 to talk about why revenue cycle management (RCM) is at the heart of the financial stability of HME providers, especially as they play “whack-a-mole" with new challenges like Medicaid cuts. He also talks about addressing the “silent killers” in the RCM process by leveraging tech-enabled automation and strategic partnerships. When done right, RCM “is nothing less than transformative,” Graham says. Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty    Guest:  Joey Graham

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation. Today’s guest is Harold Davis, director of survey services for the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation. He joins HME News in 10 to talk about how accreditation improves patient care. “Most providers want to do things right,” he said. “Most are accepting of the accreditation process because they view it as a process that actually improves their business.” Davis also talks about why accreditation is a year-round endeavor.  Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty    Guest:  Harold Davis

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by Brightree.    Today’s guest is Noel Tauzin, head of revenue cycle management for Brightree. He joins HME News in 10 to talk about how, when providers marry the power of technology with outsourced services, that’s “where the magic happens.” It unlocks their efficiency and growth, deepens their patient care, allows them to keep pace with payer requirements, and increases their adaptability to market changes. "I think this evolution positions providers to thrive in a dynamic health care environment, delivering high-quality, patient-focused services,” he says.    Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty    Guest:  Noel Tauzin 

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by MSI Health Solutions. Today’s guest is Zeb Pirzada, president and CEO of MSI Health Solutions. Pirzada joins HME News in 10 to discuss the value of providers taking a hard look at operational costs to find savings through outsourcing, including delivery services. As a former provider himself, Pirzada speaks their language, he says. “There’s a lot of small carriers out there that are not accredited and do not understand the HME industry,” he said. “MSI will bring in the industry expertise.” Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty  Guest:  Zeb Pirzada

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by Strategic Office Support.  Today’s guest is Steve Cela, president of Strategic Office Support (SOS). He joins HME News in 10 to talk about how HME providers should look at their workflow and revenue cycle management as a machine that needs to be optimized and continually maintained.  “It's beautiful to see, right, when you see an efficient machine,” he said. “Because in my mind, it’s dollars every time you touch something. When you see these companies that have their processes down right, when you see them creating templates that drop down, when you see them 30 days ahead on their recertifications and their PARs, so their resupply can just go right out the door and the resupply person is just cranking orders...It’s beautiful to see.”  Cela gives us the keys to this machine, including maximizing your EMR, embracing AI and leveraging outsourcing.  Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty  Guest:  Steve Cela 

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by Brightree. Today’s guest is Addison Perrymond, head of product management for Brightree. He joins HME News in 10 to talk about why HME providers need to mine technology for “strategic transformation tools that deliver real business outcomes.” “What we find is that our customers are looking at individual tasks and trying to incrementally make those better,” he says. “But if we reimagine that and say, ‘What is the outcome you’re aiming for,’ we can really solve that in a unique way.” We also walk through all the buzzwords, whether it’s labor (how you make good performers great), automation (how you address not only efficiency but care quality) and data (how you use it meaningfully and responsibly). Hosts: Liz Beaulieu Theresa Flaherty Guest: Addison Perrymond

With a new Congress and a new administration in place, Tom Ryan and Jay Witter of AAHomecare return to the HME News in 10 podcast to talk strategy on the year ahead. They are already mapping out how to tackle the industry’s biggest priorities, including blended reimbursement rates, by engaging lawmakers, policymakers and even the D.O.G.E. "This is the 119th Congress,” says Ryan. “Let's put a star next to it." Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty    Guests:  Tom Ryan Jay Witter

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by Numotion.   Tim Casey, general counsel for Numotion, joins HME News in 10 to discuss the challenges with current CRT (complex rehab technology) service and repair, and the need for reform. One of the many challenges that people with disabilities face every day is a broken service and repair model.  Casey discusses the primary root causes for the issues, along with recommendations for all stakeholders that need to be addressed.   Numotion is the nation’s largest and leading provider of products and services to help individuals with mobility limitations maximize their health, personal independence and actively participate in everyday life. Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty    Guest:  Tim Casey  

Today's guest is Dr. Shalini Paruthi, MD, a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) who is board-certified in sleep medicine and internal medicine. She joins HME News in 10 to talk about how the current explosion in sleep technology is increasing awareness – and access – for consumers. “The most important thing is, we’re having a conversation about their sleep,” she said. “Consumer technology is certainly bringing up this conversation. It’s providing education, and we want people to come in and get tested, get answers and get treatment so they can live their best life.” Hosts:    Liz Beaulieu    Theresa Flaherty        Guest:    Dr. Shalini Paruthi 

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by Prochant.    Today’s guest is Joey Graham, chief revenue officer for Prochant. He joins HME News in 10 to talk about why artificial intelligence is no longer science fiction and how even health care and HME, which typically lag other industries in tech adoption, are finally catching on. He talks about how AI and automation tools, while they may require high upfront costs, have the potential for substantial ROI in revenue cycle management, especially when applied to high-throughput processes. He also talks about how to select and implement the best tools for your business. Hint: Ease into it and maintain “humans in the loop.”  Hosts:    Liz Beaulieu    Theresa Flaherty        Guest:    Joey Graham  

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by ACU-Serve.      Today’s guest is Kyle Neese, recently named senior account executive at ACU-Serve. He joins HME News in 10 to talk about his resupply journey - from AllCall Connect, which was bought by Brightree, to React Health and now to ACU-Serve - and the importance of finding that "happy medium" between leveraging technological advancements and honoring patient experience. "As we have seen over the past 10 years, live calling and patient centricity will continue to be imperative to success,” he said. Neese also talks about how outsourcing resupply can be a godsend with today's staffing struggles and how these programs apply to more than just CPAP masks.     Hosts:   Liz Beaulieu   Theresa Flaherty      Guest:   Kyle Neese 

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by Advanced Diabetes Supply.  Today’s guest is Bill Mixon, CEO of Advanced Diabetes Supply. He joins HME News in 10 to talk about how ADS helps both health care providers and patients navigate the complex insurance landscape of diabetes technology and how the company empowers patients to make informed decisions about their health. “The key to this thing is adherence,” says Mixon. “And patients that get served in a high-touch environment tend to have higher compliance and adherence to the technology than someone who doesn’t.” Hosts:   Liz Beaulieu   Theresa Flaherty   Guest:   Bill Mixon

Welcome to a special episode of HME News in 10 sponsored and developed by Tactical Back Office.  Today’s guest is Todd Usher, founder of Tactical Back Office. He joins HME News in 10 to talk about how TBO and a new company, Tactical Call Center, are expanding and customizing their offerings while staying in their lane as staffing agencies. He also talks about why it's important that staff get real-life experience by “playing in the sandbox,” and how, despite the rise of artificial intelligence, “we still need humans to run our businesses.”   Hosts:   Liz Beaulieu   Theresa Flaherty   Guest:   Todd Usher

Today’s guest is Ryan Wood, chief information security officer for VGM Group. He joins HME News in 10 to talk about how the cybersecurity and infrastructure landscape is quickly evolving, what will make Change Healthcare-like cyberattacks more common and why ChatGPT and the like are both a blessing and a curse.    Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty    Guest:  Ryan Wood 

Today’s guest is Roxanne Venard, a registered respiratory therapist and president of Ascent Respiratory Care. She joins HME News in 10 to discuss lessons learned through several years of upheaval in the respiratory market. There’s no need to go it alone, she says. “Just get everyone on your team involved and you’ll make it through the tough times.” Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty  Guest:  Roxanne Venard

Today’s guest is Justin Mortara, president and CEO of EnsoData. He joins HME News in 10 to talk about how the company’s new strategic partnership with React Health allows its AI technology to cross over from the sleep testing to the sleep therapy space, maximining its ability to “make health care better.” Mortara also discusses the importance of predicting, versus reacting to, a person’s difficulty with CPAP therapy. “I used to say everyone has a heart and we’re doing good in cardiology,” says Mortara, who trained as a physicist and ran a cardiology business in the med-tech space for 20 years. “And now I say, ‘Everyone needs to sleep and we’re doing good at EnsoData.’”   Hosts:  Liz Beaulieu  Theresa Flaherty  Guest:  Justin Mortara

Since leaving AdaptHealth, Gary Sheehan has “leaned into” a few different things, including joining Darby as a growth advisor and launching Scorton Creek Capital. His goal: Helping the HME industry, which he was born into, leverage technology to deliver more care in the home. Sheehan joins HME News in 10 to talk about where he sees opportunity for the industry to be more broadly connected to the care continuum and why he’s “not going anywhere.” Hosts: Liz Beaulieu Theresa Flaherty Guest:  Gary Sheehan