Essential News

By: Beth Cox Hollingsworth, Director of Operations, VGM Marketing When the Essentially Women team asked me write about productivity and balance, I half wondered if they remembered that I was a new mom learning how to juggle it all. With the adoption of our beautiful boy complete, my husband and I thought that maybe it would all slow down a little bit. Nope. We were wrong. Preschool, doctors’ appointments, playdates, family time, date nights, work obligations, and oh yes, how about the never-ending

As more DME suppliers are looking at the potential of selling CBD, it's important to know the basics of the product and whether or not it would be beneficial for their individual businesses. Jeffrey S. Baird provides his insight on the subject in this two-part series from Medtrade.  Click here to read the full Medtrade article.

A new analysis of a 50,000-participant study shows that the use of permanent hair dye or hair straightening chemicals were both associated with a higher risk for breast cancer than 'never use' - and the risks are particularly pronounced among black women. Medscape recently wrote an article about this study. "Hair products contain more than 5000 chemicals, including some with mutagenic and endocrine-disrupting properties such as aromatic amines," senior author Alexandra

As the industry is in the midst of open enrollment, VGM's Ronda Buhrmester reminds Medicare suppliers that they have until December 31, 2019 to change their enrollment status to non-participating. In a recent VGM Government update, Ronda explains that being enrolled as a participating supplier means that the supplier accepts the Medicare fee schedule and will bill all claims on an assigned basis. Being enrolled as a non-participating supplier, however, means there are options for the

It's no secret that Amazon has become a major competitor within the HME industry. While it may seem that they are nearly impossible to compete with, Colton Mason provides a list of five ways that HME providers can compete with Amazon, including: Use the one-hour photo strategy. Highlight your expertise. Become the first choice of your referral sources. Offer reimbursement assistance. Emphasize the personal touch in patient assessments. Click here to read the full

Melinda GTM and CezaraTM Closing Soon After 33 years in business, Melinda GTM and CezaraTM will be closing their doors soon.  The remaining inventory is now priced at 60% off. Essentially Women members also receive an additional 3% discount on all purchases and earn 2% in Essential Rewards on Melinda GTM and CezaraTM products. Don’t wait. Once the current inventory is gone, it’s gone. Melinda GTM Nursing Bras on Offer     Melinda GTM Order Form CezaraTM

ABC News recently featured an article about CBD and how it became the "it" product of 2019. However, there is still little regulation and many unknown aspects about the product. This article goes in-depth into what CBD is and what experts say about the product's future. Click here to read the full article from ABC News. 

By Krystal Brown, Insurance Coordinator at Dignity Products In October we received an Essentially Women email newsletter detailing Senator Duckworth’s visit to Second Act Mastectomy Boutique in Chicago. The gathering of breast cancer survivors and supporters was an inspiration. After reading the article I went and asked my boss, the owner of Dignity Products, Ondrea Meredith if she would like to host an event for the Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act. Ondrea was excited about the

Focus 2020 is right around the corner, and there are so many exciting educational opportunities for attendees. From two amazing keynote speakers to sessions covering topics like billing and reimbursement, business operations and best practices, the anatomy of a custom breast prosthesis and more, attendees are sure to receive key takeaways to help improve their business and keep up with this ever-changing women’s health industry.  Attendees can receive up to 10.75 Category I credits

By: Krista Barnett, Marketing Manager, medi USA This article was originally featured in the Third Quarter 2019 Essential Advantage. Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. In 2019, it's estimated that about 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in women will be breast cancers.  The incidence of lymphedema post-breast cancer treatment varies from patient-to-patient depending on the severity of the treatment procedure, with the number