Introducing the NEW Hybrid Elite Cushion

Two trusted brands come together in the new ROHO Hybrid Elite to create one exceptional cushion.  The new Hybrid Elite medical cushion combines the superb skin protection and shape matching ability of ROHO DRY FLOATATION® with the stability of a Sunrise Medical Jay® contoured foam base.
ROHO Hybrid Elite Cushion features:

• Allows for enhanced pelvic alignment and control
• Maintains optimal immersion and envelopment of both the ischial tuberosities and greater trochanters
• Increases stability with Jay contoured foam base
• Offers safer transfer in and out of a wheelchair
• Provides superior skin protection from ROHO seat cushion insert
• Enhances sitting posture
• Adjustable insert for every shape
• Washable cushion, cover, and foam base
• Available in a wide range of sizes, to fit chair widths 14″ to 24”
• Includes a 24-month limited warranty

Recommended for Clients who:
• Are at a moderate to high risk for skin breakdown
• Require pelvic and lower extremity positioning
• Have difficulty with lower extremity positioning and alignment
• Have asymmetrical postures and need front to back or side to side positioning

Learn more about how wheelchair users can achieve maximum protection and stability with the new Hybrid Elite Cushion.

The Message was Heard! Thanks to all of YOU!

We’d like to thank everyone for their support and efforts in contacting Senator Harkin.  The message was certainly heard because Beth Stein’s email address crashed over the weekend, so please halt all messages being sent to her account.  If you’d still like to send a message, you can do one of the following:

- Send a message via Senator Harkin’s website: http://harkin.senate.gov/c/
- Send a fax to Senator Harkin: 202-224-9369
- Mail a letter to Senator Harkin:

731 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Again, thank you for all your support and we’ll keep you posted on what happens next!

Randy Snow Passes, Facebook Page under construction

Hello friends, As you may or may not be aware, our very good friend Randy Snow, passed away at the age of 50 last night. He was teaching tennis in El Salvador when his passing took place. He had a wonderful life, and there is peace in knowing he was doing what he loved in his last days. It is a sad day for an industry in which he was a significant presence.

Sunrise Medical has stepped up to create an industry-wide Facebook page in celebration of his life. Several manufacturers are being asked to get involved, of which we absolutely agreed. We will share photos, stories, etc. We encourage those of you who knew and enjoyed Randy’s charm to do the same.

Please visit Randy’s Facebook Page.

We need your help NOW! Please read!

20 November, 2009

Dear ROHO User,

You may not be aware of a program that is being implemented by the U.S. Medicare program that may have a direct impact on your ability to obtain a ROHO cushion, and related service / support, in the future. The program I am referring to is the Competitive Bidding of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS). Under this program equipment providers within a metropolitan area will be required to bid for the right to provide specific medical equipment and supplies to Medicare beneficiaries in that area. In order to bid, a provider must be able to service the entire bid area and must offer all of the products included in the bid category. However, there are no minimum service levels required in the bid. Finally, winning bidders are selected strictly based on
submitted prices for the entire product group being bid with the lowest composite prices winning.

So what does this mean for individuals that need high end seat cushions like ROHO’s? Here’s a partial list of the concerns that we’ve identified:

· Bidding is done by Medicare code (called HCPCS codes). All high end, adjustable seat cushions are assigned to one of four HCPCS codes (K0734 – K0737). Currently there are over 4,000 unique items / cushions assigned to one of those four codes. These items are of various sizes, shapes, materials, functionality and clinical efficacy. Bottom line, bidding these codes would be akin to requesting a bid for a “powered vehicle with four wheels”. The resulting bids would be for everything from an all terrain vehicle to a high end luxury car, with the lowest bid winning. The HCPCS codes for adjustable seat cushions (K0734 – K0737) are not distinct enough to bid. Bidding them will restrict access to the specific product that a user needs.

· By definition, “adjustable” seat cushions must be able to be initially adjusted to the individual and capable of being re-adjusted as the individual’s shape, weight and / or needs change; but, no minimum services are required as a part of the bid. Initial assessment and training is critically important for a first-time user to make sure that the correct product is selected and that it is adjusted properly. Bidding adjustable seat cushions will reduce user access to the services they need to insure proper selection and adjustment.

· A provider must be able to service the entire geographic area encompassed by the competitive bid. In some cases this will be a very large geographic area. Many of the most qualified providers of high end seating items are small, niche providers that focus on servicing a specific geographic area. Many providers of adjustable seat cushions are small providers who may be prohibited from even bidding because they aren’t capable of covering the entire geographic area covered by the competitive bid.

· A provider must offer all of the products included in the bid category. High end, adjustable seat cushions have been included in bid categories comprised of power wheelchairs and their parts / accessories. The bid categories include over 100 different codes with the power wheelchairs themselves being the dominant items that will determine which providers win the bids. Many providers of adjustable seat cushions may be prohibited from even bidding because they don’t offer a wide variety of power wheelchairs, accessories and parts. Providers that focus on wound care rather than mobility may have the knowledge and products to
address a user’s seating needs but they won’t be able to submit a bid.

· Over time Medicare competitive bidding in specific metropolitan area will affect all U.S. users regardless of payer or physical location. Under competitive bidding rules, winning providers must offer the same goods and services to all their customers that they provide to Medicare beneficiaries. In addition, we’ve already seen the impact of competitive bidding on various state Medicaid program. Finally, within health care reform legislation currently being considered by Congress are proposals that would mandate winning competitive bidding rates be implemented nationally by 2016. The competitive bidding of adjustable seat cushions will affect quality and access for all users, not just Medicare beneficiaries in a specific geographic area.

There is still a chance to prevent this from happening. Senator Harkin has expressed an interest in helping but he needs assurance that this is an area of concern for users, not just ROHO. If you are concerned about this matter you need to contact Beth Stein in Senator Harkin’s office. Time is of the essence! Discussion and debate on these matters is occurring in the Senate right now and tomorrow may be too late. If you are concerned please contact Beth Stein today! Your message needs to be personal but you can certainly use the points we’ve bolded above to focus
your message. Here is the contact information for Ms. Stein:

Email: Beth_Stein@Harkin.senate.gov
Phone: 202-224-3254

While you will be contacting Ms. Stein please stress that you wish this brought to the attention of Senator Harkin.

Thank you in advance for your assistance and support. If you’d like to have more detailed information on this issue, or have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

David McCausland
Senior Vice President of Government Affairs
ROHO, Inc.
davem@therohogroup.com
618-277-9173

USA Quad Rugby Team Takes the Championship!

The CHAMPIONSHIP belongs to the USA!!! We had a great game against our rival Canada. We jumped out to a 16 to 8 lead in the 1st quarter and it just got better from there! We beat them 63 to 26. I think that was the largest margin of victory between the two countries in an international competition.

It was a privilege to be the team captain and accept the championship trophy and hold it over my head! This team came together here and peaked at exactly the right time.

The 3rd place game was between Argentina and Brazil. It was the loudest I have heard a gym – except for Paralympics. They had huge bass drums beating. When Argentina won it was complete craziness. The place went wild. They rushed the court and put their #1 player over their heads in his rugby chair and carried him around the arena. That was the first time that I have ever seen something like that!

The party was on! They know how to have a great time down here even in the pouring rain that we had! They rented out a huge disco for all of us. We had dinner, shows and dancing until 4am. It was great to be a part of Argentina winning 3rd place. To them it was bigger than our 1st place championship.

The USA team is now packing and getting ready for their long trip home. Another player, Jason, and I are staying a few days longer to enjoy this country!

Our staff was incredible with all they did for us. We had good coaching and the staff took care of everything, so all we had to do was play. Thanks to all our staff!!! : Thanks again for all the support. The team appreciates it.

My next tournament is with my club team Sharp the weekend after I get home. We are defending our National Championship that we won last year, with only ONE loss all year long. Till then…stay healthy and happy…enjoy the ride:) Love, Brent #11

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