Q: How do I get started in the wound care & bariatric industry?
A: To get started in the
wound care & bariatric industry you must first evaluate the
need for this service in your area. As our population gets older,
chances are we will see an increase in the need for these products.
Talk with your referral sources to see where they are currently
purchasing their bariatric and wound care supplies and what prices
they are paying. Then calculate the GPA% using the online calculator
at www.vgm.com/woundcare/calculator/calc_products.php
Once you have this information you can start selecting your vendors
and using the marketing plan information included at http://www.vgm.com/woundcare/wc_market_overview.asp.
Q: Who do I market the wound care and bariatric program to?
A: Market the list of referral sources below. Ask the following questions: How much do you pay daily for NPWT? Is their service 24/7? How long does it take the company to service the product if they have problems?
- Hospitals - Discharge Planners, Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers, Hospital Purchaser, Chief Financial Officer, or whoever makes the financial decisions.
- Wound Care Clinics
- Long Term Care Facilities
- Rehab Centers
- Physicians Offices
- Bariatric Centers
- Surgical Centers
Q: How do I educate my staff on the products and the importance of wound care and bariatrics?
A: As a VGM member you are
able to access VGM’s online education. VGM Education has provided
an array of courses under the Wound Care and Bariatric umbrella.
In addition, courses and CEUs are available through VGM’s
participating vendors. Visit http://www.vgm.com/woundcare/education_library.asp
for more detail on offerings for both online and vendor courses.
Q: How do I find a list of vendors who sell bariatric and/or wound care products?
A: VGM has done the work
for you! Visit http://www.vgm.com/woundcare/vendor_products.asp
for a list of vendors by product type for both wound care and bariatric
products. This complete list will give you several vendors to choose
from for each product line. If a particular item or vendor is not
on the list, VGM’s Inside Sales team would be happy to do
research for you, please call 800-642-6065.
Q: In the past, bariatric products have actually cost me money. How do I change this problem?
A: Some companies feel that
they are loosing money on bariatric equipment because they are not
being properly reimbursed. VGM has the solution for you…Wound
Care/Bariatric Academy, visit www.vgm.com/woundcare/pdfs/EL_Academy_Flyer.pdf
for more information about this upcoming event. If you are unable
to attend one of the Academy’s you may contact Peggy Walker,
VGM’s Billing and Reimbursement advisor at 800-401-3643 for
guidance on how to properly bill.
Q: Do I have to hire a nurse to have on staff?
A: No, many HME businesses choose to hire a nurse to be on staff but it is not a requirement. You may hire a nurse per dim, partner with a Home Health Nursing Agency or use the clinical staff that you already employ (i.e. Respiratory, Physical or Occupational Therapist).
Q: What type of products do bariatric patients need?
A: Bariatric patients have
a multitude of equipment needs including: walkers, wheelchairs,
commodes, low-airloss beds, cushions, lymphedema pumps and diabetic
supplies. One item that is often overlooked for the bariatric patient
is CPAPs and CPAP supplies. Many obese patients have OSA, diagnosed
or undiagnosed. For a complete listing of suggested products, please
visit http://www.vgm.com/woundcare/vendor_products.asp.
Q: Who bills for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy?
A: The HME company bills Medicare and/or the Insurance company for the unit – whether in hospital or at home. The hospital will bill for the nursing service if the patient is in the hospital. If the patient has been sent home, the nursing agency bills for at home visits.
Q: What is the reimbursement for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
A: The following are the Medicare codes and the reimbursement amounts for each of the Negative Pressure Wound Care products:
- The Medicare code for Negative Pressure Wound Care Pump: E2402 Reimbursement is: $1716.46
- The Medicare code for canisters: A7000
Reimbursement is $8-10 depending on the state you live in. Limit of 10 canisters per month (reimbursed as a purchase).
- The Medicare code for wound care kits: A6550
Reimbursement is: $27.42 Limit of 15 per month.
Q: How many months can I bill Medicare for NPWT?
A: You may only bill Medicare for 4 months per patient for the NPWT. If the patient needs to use the treatment for a longer amount of time, proper documentation must be submitted. Note: If NPWT is not working in a positive manner after 4 months you will want to re-evaluate the therapy.
Q: How involved in the VGM Wound Care and Bariatric Program do I have to be?
A: You can be as involved as you would like. Please contact VGM for additional information at 800-642-6065!
Q: If I have questions about how to bill Medicare for bariatric or wound care products, who should I contact?
A:Contact: Heather Raub, RN, BSN, CWOCN
Director of Wound Care & Bariatrics
VGM & Associates
866-919-8523
Heather.Raub@vgm.com
|
