Petersen Medical and Alpine Home Medical Equipment Lead New Medical Association -- the Utah Medical Equipment Dealers.

Local Home Medical Equipment Providers Contest Legislation that Reduces Patient Choice and Increases Out-of-Pocket Expenses 

SALT LAKE CITY -- Petersen Medical, a leading provider of home medical equipment and dedicated in-home professional service, today announced that Tom Bradley, president and CEO of Petersen Medical, has been nominated president of the recently formed state association Utah Medical Equipment Dealers (UTMED).

UTMED was created by Petersen Medical and Alpine Home Medical Equipment in late September to advocate the needs of patients and advance the home medical equipment (HME) industry through education and shared standards.

With more than 30 HME dealers in Utah, UTMED as a unified group will increase their ability to define, create and influence guidelines that will protect beneficiaries and advance the industry. Accordingly, Bradley and UTMED are currently focusing on responding to rule modifications made by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and new legislation passed by Congress, including the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

One of CMS's many new rule modifications has reduced power wheelchair reimbursement rates by up to 30 percent in many cases. The new rules also include new qualification standards, making it harder for beneficiaries to qualify for a mobility device.

"According to a recent study done by the American Association for Homecare, more than 1,500 wheelchair suppliers will go out of business because of the new Medicare and Medicaid power mobility rule changes," said Jay Broadbent, owner of Alpine Home Medical and vice president of UTMED. "These policies will limit patient choice and increase out-of-pocket costs they can't afford on their fixed incomes."

CMS also made significant changes to its home oxygen benefit program. The new law dramatically alters the current patient-provider relationship, putting increased pressure and risk on patients. Under the new rent-to-purchase policy imposed by the law, beneficiaries will own the stationary or portable home oxygen equipment after 36 months. Oxygen is a prescription drug that must be carefully monitored, and under the new law patients will be responsible for the oxygen and oxygen therapy machines, including their required service and maintenance that is normally done by a trained professional.

"By forming UTMED, HME dealers in Utah will have a united front and will be a positive force for change in the industry and for the people

we serve," said Bradley. "There are over one million Americans who suffer from respiratory illnesses that require oxygen therapy under Medicare, and with the new legislation many of those individuals will have inadequate care. UTMED is dedicated to influencing that legislation and implementing policies that will benefit those in serious need."

UTMED encourages homecare providers, patients, and their families to urge Congress to find out more about these new regulations. Please contact your local provider for more information on UTMED and www.VGM.com for the legislation they are opposing.

About Petersen

Petersen Medical's products and professional services are designed to help Utahans breathe easier -- enhancing home oxygen, mobility and independence for patients throughout the state (Orem, Heber, Vernal and St. George) and improving patient quality of life. The company's friendly and professional technicians provide installation and personal training to make patients more comfortable, more informed and in many cases more active. Our technicians and staff act as a liaison between patients and medical professionals, making sure patients have the appropriate equipment they need. Petersen Medical maintains the highest standards of service, keeping physicians and other clinical professionals informed of the latest medical equipment advances and ongoing patient statistics and feedback.