Van G. Miller & Associates was founded in 1986 by Van G. Miller to help independent HME providers stay that way.
Before VGM, Miller was a Home Medical Equipment provider who grew his business into a highly successful franchise operation. Miller Medical Service had 26 locations, and received healthy volume discounts from nearly all of its manufacturers.
When he sold his interest in Miller Medical in 1986, he founded Van G. Miller & Associates, which negotiates contracts with major HME manufacturers that allow its members to be competitive with national chains. Today, VGM has more than 2,500 members in more than 5,000 locations.
As membership in VGM grew, so did the need for Member services. More companies were formed to meet those needs, including VGM Insurance, VGM Financial Services and VGM Technologies.
With the expansion of managed care, HOMELINK®, VGM's managed care division, was organized to provide third-party payer referrals to VGM Members. Home Nursing Network of AmericaSM is a subsidiary of HOMELINK.
The VGM Group also includes the Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA)SM, a buying group for independent orthotic and prosthetic practitioners, and U.S. Rehab®, a specialized network of NRRTS-registered Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers. Members of both groups have access to HOMELINK's regional and national managed care contracts.
VGM Management, Ltd., provides support to the VGM entities, including accounting/finance, legal and regulatory counsel, strategic planning, computer services, and public/media relations.
Homecare Providers Group, d.b.a. Homecare Providers Co-op, was brought under the VGM Group umbrella in 1997.
VGM Group Services was formed in 1998 and has a network of independent home medical equipment, respiratory, Orthotic and prosthetic, pharmacy dealers across Canada.
VGM Golf, Inc., was the first VGM company not related to home care. Founded in 1994 as a buying alliance for green grass establishments, the company’s services now cover all aspects of course operations. VGM Golf has more than 2,400 members.
In 1998, vgm creative, The VGM's Group's in-house graphic design and advertising division, began offering its services to members of VGM buying alliances and other business entities. vgm creative produces a wide variety of print projects, including logos, brochures, presentation portfolios, letterhead and collateral materials.
Van G. Miller & Associates, known as The VGM Group, has grown an average of 30 percent annually since its founding, and management continues to explore opportunities for diversification. Companies headed by Van Miller have twice made Inc. magazine's "The Inc. 500: America's Fastest Growing Private Companies" list. (VGM made the list in 1992.)
In June 1997, Miller was one of 21 finalists for the Iowa-Nebraska Entrepreneur of the Year honor.
"As membership in VGM grew, so did the need for Member services. More companies were formed to meet those needs."
In January of 1997, the new VGM Group corporate headquarters was completed in south Waterloo, Iowa. Encompassing 40,000 square feet, the facility houses all business operations of the VGM Group. To accommodate the rapid growth of HOMELINK's managed care referrals, an additional 26,000 square foot wing was completed in May of 1999. However, further growth in VGM's member support divisions necessitated the purchase of a 30,000 square foot "annex" facility in April of 2000. Today, total employment exceeds 410, including ten member service representatives residing throughout the country.
Van G. Miller & Associates, known as The VGM Group, comprises more than a dozen companies, the majority of which are related to the home health care industry.
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