Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/36987
Rx and Specialty 28 Providers BY ELIZABETH DEPREY, Associate Editor ST. LOUIS, Mo. – At Express Medical Supply, the virtual and the tan- gible go hand in hand. The provider recently upgraded its website and sent out its latest catalogue, and it has already seen an increase in sales. “We think there’s a handshake between our physical catalog and the website itself,” said vice presi- dent Mark Richardson. “We think people go through the catalog, decide what they want to order and then go online to order it.” Each year, the St. Louis-based Express Medical mails out a national catalog (65,000 copies in 2011). The provider of osto- my, urological, incontinence and wound care supplies has a brick- and-mortar store, but conducts more than 50% of its business through www.exmed.net. The recent upgrade is the first since the mid ‘90s. “As technology has improved, it’s important to keep your web- site fresh,” said Mary Nussbaum, WWW.HMENEWS.COM / AUGUST 2011 / HME NEWS Express Medical launches enhanced website INFUSION accountant and information man- ager for Express Medical. Feedback on the new site has been positive, said Richardson. “Our customer base consists of some elderly people who don’t like any change, so when we get positive feedback from them, we think we’ve really done exception- ally well,” said Richardson. HME CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 We never go on vacation. But you can. would require Medicare to pay for infusion-related ser- vices, supplies and equip- ment under Part B. Payment for the drugs—which Medi- care already pays for—would remain under Part D. The average cost to pro- vide infusion therapy per day is about $200 in the home vs. $1,200 in a hospital, the bill makes good financial sense for Medicare, say stakeholders. “We take Medicare patients and we put them into institu- tional settings at higher costs (for services) that can easily be provided at home,” said Russ Bodoff, NHIA president and CEO. “The physician and the patient prefer it at home, and more and more, it is apparent to members of Congress and other folks that this is some- thing that just makes sense.” Similar legislation was introduced in the past in the House and Senate. What’s different this time around: A study from the Government Accountability Office, pub- lished in June 2010, found that in the private sector, it is less expensive to provide infu- sion therapy in the home. The report also recommended that CMS conduct a study to deter- mine if it can realize the same savings in its fee-for-service model. “This is one of the most respected government agen- cies there are,” said Bodoff. “It’s saying we can lower costs and provide quality care and that’s a winning combination any way you look at it.” HME The HME Career Center is working all the time. Whether you’re looking for the perfect candidate, or the perfect job, this HME specifi c online job hub makes the connections for you. It’s as easy as just signing up. You can post jobs, post resumes, set alerts and more! Let the HME Career Center do the work for you this summer, so you can enjoy those dog days. Start making your connections today! hmecareercenter.com Looking for a job? We’ve got you covered too. Find your perfect HME job today! Summer Special 10% off any 30-day single job posting Expires 9/1/11 Coupon Code: SUMMER11 Go to: hmecareercenter.com CUSTOM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 reconstruction, or they may be unable to use a non-custom form. “Not everybody can be accom- modated in a medically appropriate manner by an off-the-shelf prod- uct,” said Turner. “There are some conditions, body parts or surgery types that require a little more cus- tomization.” The Veterans Administration, many state Medicaid programs and many private insurers pay for cus- tom forms, she said. The Breast Cancer Patient Equi- ty Act of 2011, (S 1217 and H.R. 2233), was introduced by Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark. It is similar to legislation introduced in 2010. Turner is “cautiously optimistic” this time around. “Last year was such a difficult year legislatively for so many dif- ferent industries,” she said. “(This year) we feel that people are willing to listen.” HME