ATLANTA – Today is the first day that HME providers can register for Medtrade at considerable savings. As it turns out, the products on display at the nation’s premiere HME trade show can also save Medicare money.
A study about Medicare investment in DME concludes that substantial cost savings are realized when mobility, supplemental oxygen, and CPAP therapy are covered by Medicare.
“The Case for Medicare Investment in DME – 2014 Update” was done by Brian Leitten of Leitten Consulting,” said John Gallagher, vice president, Government Relations, VGM, at the recently concluded Heartland Conference. “It is a follow-up to a 2011 study that concluded when Medicare pays for DME, it saves substantially more money in health care costs than it pays for the equipment.
“This certainly is not news to those of us in the industry,” continued Gallagher. “We know that Mom wants to be at home, not in a home, and that DME makes that possible.”
The study looked at three major categories of DME:
• Mobility equipment: Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the U.S. for adults 65 and older. When Medicare pays for mobility equipment, falls are reduced and significant net spending savings are realized.
• Supplemental oxygen therapy: COPD is the second leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death in the U.S. When Medicare pays for supplemental oxygen therapy, the cost of treating medical complications of COPD drops dramatically, and significant net spending savings are realized.
• CPAP therapy: Obstructive sleep apnea occurs in 70 percent of men over 65, and 56 percent of women. OSA contributes to many serious medical conditions, and is usually treated by continuous positive airway pressure therapy. When Medicare pays for CPAP therapy, the cost of treating medical complications caused by OSA drops dramatically.
The study concluded:
• For every dollar spent on mobility DME, the government saves $16.78, while beneficiaries and private insurers save $2.40
• For every dollar spent on supplemental oxygen therapy, the government saves $9.62, while beneficiaries and private insurers save $5.25.
• For every dollar spent on CPAP therapy, the government saves $6.73 while beneficiaries and private insurers save $1.35.
Medtrade is scheduled to run from Oct 20-23, 2014, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
• Those who wish to register for Medtrade should CLICK HERE.
• The full link for registration is http://registration.experientevent.com/showmth141/default.aspx?flowcode=att
• Pricing for events can be found here: https://medtrade.com/attendee/pricing.shtml
Exhibitors have already bought up the vast majority of floor space at the Georgia World Congress Center in anticipation of what could be the most important Medtrade in the event’s long history. Medtrade Monday will continue to include full information and links for those who wish to make early plans for what is shaping up to be an incredibly important Medtrade, at a crucial time for the industry.
Familiar exhibitors that have already signed up include:
Carex Health Brands – Booth #2521
Drive Medical – Booth #1617
Ford Commercial Truck – Booth #845
Golden Technologies – Booth #2229
Invacare Corp – Booth #2005
Orthofeet – Booth #1209
Philips Respironics – Booth #1711
Prairie View Industries – Booth #855
Pride Mobility Products – Booth #1605
The VGM Group – Booth #1927
For a complete list of exhibitors and/or additional information about the show, visit medtrade.com.