Essential News

Genetic testing kits, like 23andMe and AncestryDNA give users background data of their ancestors. Kits are also available to help test food intolerances, all from the convenience of your home. 23andMe has the option to opt into the BRCA gene mutation test. People with this gene mutation have a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. The New York Times interviewed a woman who opted into this specific test and came back negative. Years later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. A

Some research indicates that 40% of breast cancer survivors will develop lymphedema. Once you develop lymphedema, you live with it for the rest of your life.  Recently, an Omaha breast cancer survivor showed how she has been managing her lymphedema for the past 23 years. Even though many people experience lymphedema, the majority of people do not understand the diagnosis, maintenance required, products available, and cost to the patient.  Read the full story from KMTV. The

One of the most important “profit centers” of a supplier is its compliance program. While a compliance program does not directly generate income for the supplier, a functioning compliance program will assist the supplier in (i) retaining the money it has previously been paid and (ii) not having to pay consultants and attorneys to assist in responding to a recoupment demand. Further, a functioning compliance program reduces the risk of (i) a whistleblower lawsuit being filed by

Grassroots advocacy is a term that is thrown around in politics, but what is it really? It is the process of communicating with the general public and asking them to contact their local, state or federal officials regarding a certain issue. Elected officials’ purpose should be to represent the views of their constituents. But how do they know what their constituents want unless their constituents speak out?  We know that every woman who experiences a mastectomy should

A new research study from Marshall University shows that eating walnuts can suppress growth and survival of breast cancers. Eating two ounces of walnuts a day was shown to significantly change the genes related to breast cancers. The randomized clinical trial recruited women with breast lumps large enough for research and pathology biopsies. After initial biopsies were collected, the women in the walnut group ate two ounces of walnuts a day for about two weeks. Changes in the gene expressions were

Breast cancer patients are more at risk of cardiovascular complications after they experience cancer treatment. The main cause of mortality in women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer is heart disease. Right now, exercise is not considered standard care with breast cancer patients. The research team conducted a randomized clinical trial that included sedentary, obese women who were breast cancer stage I-III survivors. They found that the participants who participated in a 16-week exercise

A Western Australia-based photographer who shared emotional images of a breast cancer survivor and her botched double mastectomy on Facebook was shocked when she was banned from Facebook. The surgeon left her with large raised scars on her breasts. The photographer recently took boudoir photos of the woman and her scars as a way for the person to heal emotionally. The breast cancer survivor cried every time she saw the pictures because she couldn't believe she could actually be beautiful.  When

Recently, HME News sat down with Miriam Lieber from Lieber Consulting LLC to discuss succession planning. When and how should businesses start thinking about a succession plan? Miriam's advice? Start planning well in advance. Start skill building with an identified core group of staff. Teach and train leadership techniques to the most talented staff members. Create goals and metrics and communicate them to be able to gauge how well team members are able to perform and measure up to expectations.

This week, Nikki Jensen and Tom Powers flew to Washington, D.C. to visit 28 offices to advocate for the Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act and to ask for legislators to sign on to support the legislation. This visit is the first since S. 562 and H.R. 1370 were introduced in March. Keeping our legislation in front of key committee members is incredibly important. Meeting with their staff allows us to explain the issue and let them know that constituents in their districts are asking for legislation. Currently,

DME suppliers are currently preparing for Competitive Bid Round 2021. Only certain product categories are included in competitive bid. Please note, this is the first round for off the shelf back and knee braces to be competitively bid.  Bidder registration period and the bid window will likely open in June 2019 (this date may change).  EW members who are planning to participate in this current round of bidding, prepare now. VGM has put together tools to help our members go through