CategoriesCPAP,  Health,  On the Road,  Sleep

New strides in travel

Summer is here! Here are some new products designed to help patients travel easier and faster at the airport, on the road, or off the path.

H2Doze CPAP Water

H2Doze CPAP Water is a great new way to maintain health when traveling with sleep apnea.

Even though most patients know distilled water is essential for CPAP treatment, it’s often hard to find small enough portions when traveling.

Each bottle of H2Doze is labeled so that patients can check it right through airport security. It is cleared by TSA and FAA as medically necessary when accompanied by a CPAP machine.

Patients who travel often may also want to incorporate H2Doze into their regular at-home treatment routine. That way there’s no wasted water to pour out from those gallon jugs!

One 16.9 ounce bottle of H2Doze covers two nights of use.

Portable CPAP Battery

The new Portable CPAP Battery fits in a handbag or small luggage pocket and has even more capabilities and features to benefit patients.

The battery has 110 volts, which means patients can run a CPAP machine for up to 14 hours. Patients can now also use the battery to run their other devices, such as laptops or curling irons.

The two USB outlets next to the AC outlet can charge cell phones even while running a CPAP machine.

This would be a great item for patients traveling in groups or with family!

Transcend 3 miniCPAP

 

The Transcend miniCPAP line helps free patients from the constraints of daily CPAP treatment whether traveling or at home.

They’re the smallest, lightest CPAP devices!

The new Transcend 3 is an upgrade on the classic model. It has a sturdier base and a new swivel nozzle to improve comfort. It’s still compact enough to fit in one hand, and it still weighs less than a pound.

Transcend 3 is also FAA approved, so patients can use it in flight. It’s a go-anywhere device.

Mini Mesh Nebulizer

Sunset’s portable Mini Mesh Nebulizer is our newest great value option for asthma patients.

We think this mini nebulizer is a fun entry into the portable market! It’s handheld, quiet and fast.

Our Mini Mesh Nebulizer is also very attainable — it’s a great option for cost-conscious patients. The NEB400 makes it possible for patients to leave compressor nebulizers at home.

It runs on just two AA batteries or any USB port.

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Sunset will be on the road again this September for the HME News Business Summit in Cleveland, and at Medtrade Atlanta this fall. We hope to see you there!

CategoriesCPAP

Dollars and Scents!

cash-items-for-blog

We added new retail items to our line to add comfort to CPAP and oxygen therapy.

Aromatherapy

Bring the power of holistic healing to your CPAP therapy with these 16 unique and refreshing aromatherapy scents. The aromatherapy uses calming scents to make your overall CPAP experience more enjoyable.

To use our new aromatherapy kit simply place one drop of aromatherapy into the white diffusion pad. Then either place the diffuser stand directly beneath your machine’s air filter or bend the legs of the diffuser base to make an elevated stand. Natural oils create comforting sensations and help to soothe and relax.

Our starter kit includes the minty fresh Clear scent, made from peppermint, lime and soothing lavender. The starter kit also includes the more calming Peace scent, a relaxing scent made from French lavender, clary sage and marjoram to enhance a restful sleep. All of our aromatherapy products are made with all natural essential oils.

The diffusion pads are completely reusable. We recommend using the same dedicated pad for each type of oil. Scented pads may be stored in the included plastic bags to preserve the scent.

Sunset Order#
CAP5001 – Aromatherapy Starter Kit
CAP5002 – Replacement Aromatherapy Pads
CAP5003 – Replacement Aromatherapy Tray
CAP5004 – 30ml Aromatherapy Refills 

CPAP Pillows

Specialty pillows designed for CPAP users to allow comfortable sleep for all mask types in any position. The cut outs on the left and right sides of the pillow allow the user to be comfortable when sleeping with any mask.

The CPAPmax offers 4 pillows in one. One side is memory foam or flip it over for a standard fiber pillow. There’s also a ¾ in. foam layer in the center of the pillow that can be removed to adjust the thickness of the pillow. Additional pillow styles and replacement covers also available.

Sunset Order#
CAP4003 – CPAPmax Pillow
CAP4002 – 5in High Profile Pillow
CAP4001 – 4in Standard Profile Pillow

RoEzIt Moisture Therapy

Petroleum-free lotion with Aloe vera and vitamins A & E. Apply at beginning of treatment and as needed to maintain soft skin and eliminate discomfort from dry/cracking skin. Use to moisturize the nose, lip and over the ear where friction may cause discomfort from the oxygen cannula or CPAP mask. Prevent chafing, irritation, dryness or cracking.

Sunset Order#
CAP6100L – CPAP Moisture Therapy – 1oz Tube
CAP6100S – CPAP Moisture Therapy – 3cc Sample Tube
RES6104L – RoEzIt Dermal Care – 1oz Tube
RES6104S – RoEzIt Dermal Care – 3cc Sample Tube

CategoriesIn The News,  Reducing Costs

Competitive Bidding Update

Competitive Bidding Legislation

What it Means for CPAP Suppliers and How Sunset Can Help

Round 2 reimbursement amounts from Medicare were recently announced. This new competitive bidding legislation means there will be a lot of change in our industry in the next couple of years, especially for smaller stores who may not have the scale to remain competitive due to these new Medicare cuts.  Many HME registered for this process as of March of 2012 and are probably anxiously awaiting their fate.

This new legislation does not affect reimbursement amounts for private insurance; it only affects Medicare reimbursements at this time.   There are pros and cons to accepting a round 2 contract. As Elizabeth Deprey of HME News blogged earlier this week, some HMEs were relieved to be out of a Medicare contract. The high administrative costs of billing Medicare and time consuming government audits are draining and in the end, just not worth it for many smaller companies. The National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES) has put together an anonymous survey to gauge the end result of round 2 contracts.

The whole logic behind this legislation change is to protect consumer rights; ensuring companies are delivering the highest quality products to their patients at the lowest possible cost.  The bill is also a means for cutting the allocation of Medicare spending on these products by dramatically decreasing reimbursement rates. To give you a little more insight to specifics on how this might affect you, check out the new HCPCS Reimbursement by State. We also put together the chart below so you could better see an example of how HCPCS rates have changed across CPAP supplies specifically.

Product Reimbursement
2012*
Reimbursement
2013**
Difference Difference %
CPAP Tube 36.00 15.30 20.70 58%
Replacement Full Face Cushion 65.00 20.40 44.60 69%
Full Face CPAP Mask 170.55 99.00 71.55 42%
Nasal CPAP Mask 106.35 59.00 47.35 44%
Replacement Foam Filters 11.78 6.81 4.97 42%
Replacement Filters 4.88 2.38 2.50 51%
Headgear 32.00 20.40 11.60 36%
Chinstrap 14.50 11.01 3.49 24%

*reimbursement average 2012

**reimbursement Ohio 2013

As you can see, the average 45% decrease in reimbursement rates was no media exaggeration. Some products are affected more than others, for example, replacement cushions’ reimbursement rate decreased 69% while chinstrap reimbursement rates decreased by only 24%, with additional variances by state and region.

So what is Sunset doing to help our customers during these times of reimbursement cuts? We recently came out with a new deluxe line of CPAP masks that include a replaceable cushion and cost about 40-50% less than similar masks from leading manufacturers. We’ll continue to provide the lowest prices to our customers, whenever possible. We’re also looking to add more cash and retail items to our line in the next year so our customers can battle Medicare cuts with a boost to their cash sales.

In addition, we are backing a favorable alternative for home care providers, the Medicare DMEPOS Market Pricing Program.   This act will still reduce Medicare spending but would better accommodate smaller providers and preserve their ability to compete.  John Gallagher and the team with VGM government relations are making a stand for a new Market Pricing Program (MPP), if you’re interested in advocating this, check out VGM DC Link or AAHOMECARE.  Many people in the HME industry are going to be talking about this at MedTrade Spring 2013. So if you’re headed out there, keep an eye out for MPP news and updates. What do you think about the Medicare cuts and MPP? We would love to hear your feedback in the comment section below.

CategoriesCPAP,  In The News

Sunset CPAP Kits Featured in HomeCare Magazine Article on How to Build Lifelong PAP Customers

lifelong

Excerpt featuring Sunset Healthcare from an article in HomeCare Magazine by Larry Anderson. 

Full Service Approach.

Fully servicing existing patients enables providers to maximize profitability in PAP products, said Ashley Wood, director of operations at Sunset Healthcare Solutions. Replacing masks, tubes, cushions, chinstraps, humidifier chambers and filters as often as the patient’s insurance will allow can maximize HME reimbursements and profits. Wood noted that the reimbursement for supplies can add up to more per year than the device rental fees for a new CPAP setup.

Sunset Healthcare Solutions specializes in replaceable PAP accessories, including their own line of tubes, filters and masks as well as masks, cushions and humidifier chambers from major manufacturers.

“We also carry many hard-to-find filters or replacement parts for machines and masks that are previous-generation and might be discontinued by the original manufacturer,” Wood said.

Sunset Healthcare Solutions offers a customizable Resupply Kit that includes an entire three- or six-month supply of CPAP tubes, disposable and nondisposable filters and even a mask, cushions, chinstrap or humidifier chamber in a single easy-to-handle kit.

Wood suggested the addition of retail products such as CPAP mask wipes or accessory cleaners that provide continuous revenue in addition to reimbursements. “By adding retail products to their line, HME providers have a diverse product set to fall back on as reimbursements are being cut,” Wood said.

Read the full article in HomeCare Magazine here

CategoriesCPAP

CPAP Cleaning and Cash Reimbursement Tips

CPAP cleaning supplies

With declining reimbursements, cash products are a great way to increase revenue while also providing your patients with convenient, easy-to-use cleaning products. This article describes the best products for cleaning CPAP equipment, as well as recommendations for cleaning schedules and techniques.
To prevent growth of mold and bacteria, regular cleaning is essential. However, this task can be tedious without the right supplies.

Daily Care

To remove dirt and oils and prevent buildup, clean the mask and cushion with a cleanser or wipe that is gentle enough for daily use. As a general rule, people can use any cleaning product on their mask that they would use on their face. Anything stronger with scents, alcohol, antibacterial agents or bleaching ingredients can cause the cushion to break down or irritate the skin.
Several products are designed specifically for CPAP masks with all-natural ingredients that are safe enough for daily use. One of the most popular brands is Citrus II, available in a dispenser with 62 wipes or a box of 12 individually wrapped wipes. Both options have their uses. The dispensers are compact. Many of our customers provide each of their respiratory therapists with a few dispensers of wipes, one to demonstrate to the patients how to clean their masks during the initial fitting and additional ones to sell. This helps show proper maintenance and can also lead to a cash sale on the spot.
The individually-wrapped wipes are great to give away as a sample with each new patient setup, and are useful for patient travel or in-store promotions.
If your patients prefer to use a spray, Citrus II offers CPAP Mask Cleaner Spray in either 8-ounce or 1.5-ounce travel size bottles.
In addition to wiping down the mask, instruct your patients to empty the humidifier chamber each morning and leave it open to air dry for the day. They can refill it with distilled water at night. Avoid using tap water to prevent mineral buildup in the chamber that could damage the machine.

Weekly Care

Clean all equipment on a weekly basis, or more frequently if the patient is recovering from illness. First detach the mask from the tube and remove the headgear and cushions. Soak the headgear, tube, mask, humidifier chamber, reusable foam filter, chinstrap and any connectors or adapters in a 50/50 solution of warm water and Citrus II CPAP Concentrated Cleanser for 10-20 minutes.
After soaking, rinse thoroughly with warm water. For best results, hang the tube, headgear and chinstraps to allow them to dry completely. The mask, cushions, chamber and filter can be left out on a towel to dry. Ensure the filter is fully dry before placing it back into the machine. If your patient lives in a wet or humid climate and they have trouble getting their tube and mask to dry fully, Hurricane makes a Home Edition CPAP Equipment Dryer that safely dries products without damage. However, make sure patients are aware that they should not machine wash or dry headgear or chinstrap as it will damage the material or affect the size.
To clean the machine, make sure it is unplugged, and wipe it with a cloth soaked in warm water or a mix of warm water and CPAP Concentrated Cleanser.
With filters, a good rule of thumb is: If it is foam or labeled as reusable, it can be washed weekly and reused for six months, per Medicare guidelines. If it is labeled as ultrafine or disposable, it cannot be washed and must be thrown out and replaced every two weeks. Washing a disposable filter will cause it to lose shape and effectiveness. Some machines use only disposable filters while others can accommodate reusable foam filters, as well as disposable ones. Check with the manufacturer, and explain the difference to your patients to avoid confusion.
During the weekly washing, patients can substitute vinegar, unscented liquid dish soap or hand soap in place of the CPAP Concentrated Cleanser, but they should not use rubbing alcohol, bleach, scented soaps or antibacterial soaps as they can break down the equipment.

Effective Display

How do you encourage patients to clean their products regularly? First, inform them of the health implications of inhaling mold and bacteria growing in their equipment. Also, make the cleaning products easily accessible, and start them off on the right foot with samples or cleaning demonstrations during setup. To assist in this, one product is the CPAP Cleaning Product Display Kit, which is a full display of all the most popular CPAP cleaning products in a tabletop format. The display signage spells out the features and benefits of the cleaners. It displays well next to the register to encourage cash purchases.

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Contact

Sunset Healthcare Solutions
180 N Michigan Ave Ste 2000
Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 877-578-6738
Fax: 312-997-9985

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