Archive for September, 2010

Homecare Medical Equipment Providers Vow to Help Americans with Disabilities Gain Greater Access to Care

It is with mixed emotions that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is being recognized this month, on the 20th anniversary of its enactment. The very industry that has allowed disabled Americans to celebrate the freedom and opportunity afforded by ADA, the medical equipment industry, is threatened by recent changes in Medicare bidding policies. Were it not for these suppliers and their constant push toward new technology, many people with disabilities would not be able to remain safe and independent in their own homes.

While the medical equipment community recognizes the need to preserve easy access to the care and equipment needed, the industry is up in arms about the new Medicare bidding policies that may put many suppliers out of business. More than 250 members of Congress and several patient advocacy groups oppose the new bidding program, as it will ultimately reduce access to medical equipment and care for senior citizens and those living with disabilities.

Leading members of the American Association for Homecare have spoken out against Medicare’s new competitive bidding practices, which will reduce the number of quality medical equipment providers for disabled Americans, thereby increasing the likelihood that patients will be forced to pay more for the equipment they need. With nearly 55 million American’s suffering from some form of physical or mental impairment, many may be forced to limit their daily activities or rely on substandard mobility devices in order to remain in their homes.

Now that the Americans with Disabilities Act has been in effect for twenty years, it is important that the medical equipment industry continues to advocate on behalf of disabled Americans, especially those companies who meet the needs of homecare patients. As long as these citizens are protected under the ADA, they should have easy and affordable access to oxygen equipment, mobility technology, medical supplies, home infusion and other durable medical equipment.

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Cut Waste and Save Money with Used Medical Equipment

Advances in health care and medical equipment happen almost daily, and new devices are constantly being marketed to hospitals and medical institutions.  Just keeping up with the latest technologies can be a challenge for any medical practice.

In a perfect world, every healthcare facility would update their equipment every year, but with the cost of new medical devices skyrocketing, this would quickly drain a hospital’s finances.  But this doesn’t mean equipment cannot be upgraded regularly.  Used medical equipment dealers are able to meet the demands of most healthcare institutions by selling them gently used equipment that is still much newer than what they currently have.  In fact, much of the used medical equipment on sale today is still under warranty.

Practical Solutions for Healthcare Institutions

Hospitals and clinics all over the country are turning to used medical equipment in record numbers, especially as budgets shrink and healthcare costs rise.  By purchasing pre-owned medical equipment, medical professionals can save large sums of money, sometimes several thousand dollars on advanced imaging systems and diagnostic machines.

Another reason many hospitals buy used medical equipment is because it is more environmentally friendly.  The nation’s healthcare system has been seeking out ways to cut waste, and buying refurbished equipment offers a practical solution that is also very cost-effective.

The Online Used Medical Equipment Marketplace

The marketplace for used medical and diagnostic equipment is constantly changing, as a vast selection of equipment is bought and sold every day.  Online medical equipment dealers offer a wide range of equipment that completely refurbished and ready for immediate delivery.

Before purchasing any used medical equipment on the Internet, be sure that it complies with the health regulations of your institution.  Most dealers will honestly disclose the condition of the device, but be sure to ask questions if anything is unclear.  When buying an expensive piece of equipment, it may make sense to have it independently tested by certified inspector.

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World’s leading Medical Imaging Equipment Makers Focus on Chinese Healthcare Expansion

As the Chinese economy grows, the nation plans to spend billions of dollars on new hospitals and clinics, making health care accessible to nearly every Chinese citizen. All of this growth is outlined in a three-year healthcare plan that was announced in late 2009, and Western medical equipment manufacturers are anxious to serve these needs with advanced diagnostic imaging systems.

Despite Chinese procurement rules that make it difficult for foreign suppliers to compete for this business, companies like Royal Philips Electronics, General Electric and Siemens AG are setting their sights on China. The need for advanced medical imaging equipment within China’s healthcare infrastructure is expected to fuel robust sales for high-tech scanning devices.

According to industry analysts Frost & Sullivan, China’s medical equipment market is expected to double in size by the year 2015, reaching more than $53 billion. This includes a wide range of patient monitoring devices and durable medical equipment, but much of this increase will likely come from the sale of CT and MRI scanners, which can cost up to $2 million each. This is great news for the beleaguered U.S. medical device industry, which has suffered a great deal during the economic downturn, falling by one-third of its value just last year alone.

Philips Healthcare has projected double-digit increases in its Chinese healthcare operations unit, and General Electric has already generated $1 billion in new revenue from the Chinese market. Siemens expects rapid increases in spending on their medical imaging equipment in China, far exceeding the market’s 10% annual growth percentage. As a result, all three of these companies have expanded their offerings of less expensive imaging gear to meet the needs of rural hospitals and clinics across China.

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