Category Archives: MarketMechanics
October 2019
Stevens, Bonbouton Sign Exclusive Agreement to Further Develop Smart Insole
Stevens Institute of Technology (Stevens), Hoboken, NJ, has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with health and technology company Bonbouton, New York, giving Bonbouton the right to use and further develop a graphene sensing system that detects early signs of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) before they form. Left untreated, DFUs can cause severe tissue and bone damage and may ultimately lead to amputation. Continue reading
October 2019
Humans, Like Salamanders, Can Regrow Joint Cartilage
Cartilage in human joints can repair itself through a process like that used by creatures such as salamanders and zebrafish to regenerate limbs, researchers at Duke University Health System (Duke Health), Durham, NC, found. In their article, published online in the journal Science Advances, the researchers identified a mechanism for cartilage repair that appears to be more robust in ankle joints and less so in hips. The finding could potentially lead to treatments for osteoarthritis, they said. Continue reading
October 2019
O&P Assistant Standards, Guidelines Approved
The Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Education Programs in Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant were approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) board. CAAHEP accredits programs upon the recommendation of the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education. Standards are the minimum requirements to which an accredited program is held accountable. Continue reading
September 2019
Proof-of-Concept Prosthetic Leg Has Proprioception, Reduces Phantom Limb Pain
Two people with transfemoral amputations have been able to feel their prosthetic foot and knee in real time via 4 intraneural sensors that connect to residual nerves in the thigh. The resulting neurofeedback reduces the physical and mental strain for prosthetic users and has been shown to reduce phantom limb pain. Continue reading
September 2019
Noridian Updates RA Modifier Guidelines for DMEPOS
Noridian, the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Jurisdictions A and D, has updated its guidelines regarding use of the RA Modifier, which is to be used for replacement of a DME, orthotic, or prosthetic item. Continue reading
September 2019
CMS Publishes New Fact Sheet for Correct Billing of DMEPOS during Inpatient Stays
A recent report by the US Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General determined that Medicare improperly paid suppliers for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) items provided during inpatient stays. Medicare should not pay a supplier for items furnished to a beneficiary when the beneficiary is still an inpatient. Continue reading
September 2019
UW–Madison, Spinoff Testing Silver-Bearing Bandage for Wound Healing
The University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–M) and a spinoff company, Imbed Biosciences, Fitchburg, WI, have received a $1.5 million, 2-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to test whether adding gallium metal ions to an ultra-thin material carrying antimicrobial silver can defeat the “biofilms” that shield bacteria from antibiotics. Continue reading
August 2019
MedShape Launches DynaNail Mini Fusion System
MedShape, Atlanta, GA, an orthopedic device manufacturer, announced the launch of its DynaNail Mini™ Fusion System, which is available in 7mm and 8mm diameters and 60mm to 100mm lengths. Featuring MedShape’s patented superelastic nickel titanium (NiTiNOL) technology, the DynaNail Mini is the first orthopedic device designed specifically for subtalar fusion that offers… Continue reading
August 2019
Policy Article Revised for Therapeutic Shoes
The Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Policy Article (PA) for Therapeutic Shoes for Persons with Diabetes was recently revised, as follows. The effective date is January 1, 2019. Continue reading
August 2019
New DME QIC Contract Effective September 1
Effective September 1, the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC) contract for administering all reconsiderations (second-level appeals) on processed DME claims has been transitioned to the contract awardee, MAXIMUS Federal Services. All reconsideration requests must now be submitted to Maximus Federal Services… Continue reading
August 2019
PT Professor Authors New Guideline to Treat PFP
University of Montana (UM) Assistant Professor Richard Willy, PT, PhD, is the lead author on a paper that offers new guidelines for treating patellofemoral pain (PFP), often known as runner’s knee. PFP affects 25% of the general population every year, with women reporting PFP twice as often as men. Continue reading
July 2019
DME MAC Issues Reminder about RT and LT Modifier Usage
CGS, the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) for Jurisdictions B and C has issued a reminder regarding billing right (RT) and left (LT) modifiers on separate claim lines. There are 6 device categories related to lower extremity care: ankle-foot/knee-ankle-foot orthoses, knee orthoses, lower limb prostheses, orthopedic footwear, surgical dressings, and therapeutic shoes for persons with diabetes. Continue reading
July 2019
CMS Issues DMEPOS Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule containing updates to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) regulations. CMS also published a fact sheet outlining several major provisions in the rule, which are summarized… Continue reading
July 2019
Robotic Cane Improves Stability in Walking
A team of researchers at Columbia (University) Engineering have added electronics and computation technology to a walking cane to transform it into a robotic device that can provide light-touch assistance in walking to the elderly and individuals with impaired mobility. A team led by Sunil Agrawal, PhD, professor of mechanical engineering and of… Continue reading
July 2019
Adapttech Gears Up for US Launch
Biomedical startup Adapttech, Birmingham, England, announced that it has appointed Stuart Mead as chairman ahead of the company’s launch in the United States later this year. Mead is the former CEO of Touch Bionics, Livingston, Scotland, and has been appointed for his insight and leadership in the prosthetics sector. Touch Bionics was acquired by Össur, Reykjavik, Iceland, in 2016. Continue reading
July 2019
Össur to Acquire College Park Industries
Össur, Reykjavik, Iceland, has signed an agreement to acquire College Park Industries, Warren, MI, a global provider of lower- and upper-limb prostheses and supporting services. College Park has over 140 employees and shows 2018 total sales of $22 million. Continue reading
July 2019
SIGVARIS GROUP North America Appoints New President/CEO
SIGVARIS GROUP North America, Peachtree City, GA, has appointed Barbara Osborne as president and CEO, effective May 30. She has over 30 years of diverse business experience in the medical device field with focused capacity in general commercial and management roles. She started her career in accounting and has since held roles such as president and… Continue reading
May 2019
Website Helps DMEPOS Suppliers Prepare for Competitive Bidding
A new website, DME CBP Education, brings together publicly available information from government sources to help suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) prepare for Round 2021 of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). The DMEPOS CBP was established by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). Continue reading
April 2019
FDA Approves New Osteoporosis Treatment for Postmenopausal Women
The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new treatment for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women presenting with a high risk of fracture or who are intolerant to or have not had success with existing therapies. The drug, EVENITY (romosozumab-aqqg; Amgen), was approved April 9 and became available for shipment to wholesalers in the US on April 15. Continue reading
March 2019
SPS Promotes Weger to VP and General Manager
Hanger, Inc., Austin, Texas, announced that Regina Weger has been promoted to VP and general manager of its subsidiary SPS, Alpharetta, Georgia. Weger has been with SPS for over 20 years, having started her career within the customer service function and taking on additional roles and responsibilities throughout the years. Continue reading
March 2019
APTA, ACSM Formalize New Partnership
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has partnered with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), under the APTA Partnerships program, which seeks to enhance relationships and develop mutually beneficial partnerships with other organizations that share common goals. Continue reading
March 2019
Renowned Orthopedic Surgeon to Lead Foot and Ankle Division at NYU Langone Health
John G. Kennedy, MD, renowned for his work in the surgical treatment of foot and ankle injuries, has been appointed the new chief of the Foot and Ankle Division in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, and Director of the Foot and Ankle Center at NYU Langone Health. He joined NYU Langone in January, where he holds the… Continue reading
March 2019
$11 million NIH Grant Creates New Center for Musculoskeletal Research
Clemson University, South Carolina, received an $11 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s Center for Biomedical Research Excellence to launch a new research center that will bring together scientists from across the state to change the way musculoskeletal disorders are diagnosed, treated, and studied. Continue reading
March 2019
CMS Includes 7 OTS Knee Orthoses in 2021 Competitive Bidding Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program for dates of service beginning January 1, 2021, will include 7 off-the-shelf (OTS) knee orthoses. Continue reading
March 2019
SIGVARIS Is now SIGVARIS GROUP
SIGVARIS, Peachtree, Georgia, has changed its corporate name and logo from SIGVARIS to SIGVARIS GROUP. SIGVARIS, a 155-year-old Swiss company, manufactures medical compression socks and hosiery with a wide assortment of inelastic wraps and lymphedema garments. Continue reading
