Page 22 - HME Business, January 2018

Sleep Strategy CPAP Bundling
This issue rst came up when CMS announced competitive bidding Round 2019. As you might recall, CMS announced Round 2019 in late January 2017, but
then quickly put a hold on those plans
in February 2017. CMS announced that
it had decided to “temporarily delay moving forward with the next steps of the Round 2019 ... to allow the new admin- istration further opportunity to review
the program.” As a result, CMS removed all information that was on the CMS.gov website and the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website.
However, as part of that initially released information, CMS released plans for testing a bundling program in 10 geographic areas. The test would fund a single payment for bundled CPAP devices and resupply items, such as masks and tubing. The plan also would see bene ciaries perpetually rent their devices, rather than own them. This raised eyebrows among sleep providers not only due to funding concerns, but due to the nature of a rental relationship. For instance, what problems would this cause for traveling and relo- cating patients? Also, what was the likeli- hood that such a plan would disrupt access to resupply and support services in the 10 areas by imposing nancial disincentives to furnish these supplies and services?
So, a bi-partisan sign-on letter regarding CMS’s plan to move forward with mandatory bundling of CPAP devices was sent to CMS Administrator Seema Verma in September, asking delay the plan to test the bundling program. The letter, which can be found online at http:// bit.ly/2jTjuHr, cataloged the concerns regarding such a program, and also noted that CMS doesn’t appear to have the authority to test alternative payment models. Speci cally, the letter reads, “The general competitive bidding statute does not authorize CMS to test alternative payment models or other con gurations of items and services beyond the clearly
delineated categories of equipment subject to the bidding process.”
It’s unclear when CMS would continue with such a plan, but it is critical for sleep providers to keep CPAP bundling on their
radar for the coming year, and quickly respond if it arises by backing any advo- cacy responses that are put into play by their state associations and the American Association for Homecare. n
Continued from Sleep Products on page 20
CPAP mask offers comfort and quiet ventilation
The Numa Full-Face Mask’s two-piece construction
and emphasized sealing is
designed to give the patient
effortless comfort. The mask’s
design balances soft comfort and quiet ventilation with self-adjusting forehead. Having received FDA clearance, the Numa is now available for immediate ordering.
3B Medical Inc.
(863) 226-6285
www.3bproducts.com
A unique, simple
sleep therapy
approach
Of course sleep therapy
options are isolated solely
to positive airway pressure
devices. The Provent Sleep
Apnea Therapy instead uses
a disposable, nightly-use
nasal device placed just inside the nostrils and held securely in place with hypoallergenic adhesive. The proprietary MicroValve design creates pressure when patients exhale to keep their airway open. Provent
is small and disposable, making it convenient and travel-friendly.
Provent Sleep Therapy LLC
(888) 757-9355
www.proventtherapy.com
New gel pillow modules create optimized comfort
Royal Philips has introduced
a new option to its open-face
therapy masks. The new Gel
Pillows module features the
same comfort and freedom
of movement as the original
DreamWear, but now offers an
additional choice in cushion
type that can be easily
changed out within the same mask frame. Thanks to the modular design, clinicians have reported the DreamWear mask as taking less time to change between the two DreamWear masks than between another pillows mask and nasal mask.
Philips Respironics
(800) 722-9377
www.usa.philips.com
CPAP mask liners allow for more comfortable sleep RemZzzs CPAP Mask Liners
offer a cost-effective method
for helping patients achieve
success with their CPAP therapy
through a more comfortable t.
Naturally absorbent bers act
as a barrier between patient
and mask, keeping oil and
moisture away from the silicone
cushion, reducing cleaning time. The mask liners also reduce noisy air leaks, allows use of bedtime moisturizer, assists in holding mask in place and reduces the necessity for tight headgear.
Naturs Design Inc.
(877) 473-6999
www.remzzzs.com
Kit offers everything needed to set up new patients
The DreamEasy CPAP Nasal
Mask Starter Kit includes
the DreamEasy Nasal CPAP
Mask with headgear, seals
and an easy-to-use sizing
guide. A sizing guide eases
tting and kit includes
small, medium and large
Comfort Cushion seals. The
exible design is airtight and offers freedom of movement while maintaining a secure t. Compass Health Brands
(800) 376-7263
www.compasshealthbrand.com
Tiny travel CPAP packs in flexible therapy
The Z1 Auto, with
its proprietary
breathing algorithm
and sampling rate
of several times per
second, delivers
responsive and effective therapy at lower overall pressures than xed-pressure CPAPs. The result is more responsive therapy and a more comfortable experience. Not requiring a special mask or tube, users can typically use the mask they are most comfortable wearing. When away from power outlets, the PowerShell integrated battery pack and get a night’s rest on a single charge.
HDM
(855) 436-8729
www.hdmusa.com
22 HMEBusiness | January 2018 | hme-business.com
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