Written by Joy Payne, Sr. Corporate Marketing & Content Specialist at Aeroflow Health

At Aeroflow Health, caring for communities is just as important as caring for patients. From maternal health and breast pumps to sleep and respiratory care, Aeroflow supports millions of patients each year with products and services that improve quality of life. But our commitment to health extends far beyond medical equipment and services.

That belief is what inspired Aeroflow Cares, our philanthropic initiative grounded in a simple truth: health doesn’t start in a doctor’s office. It starts with stable housing, access to education and healthcare. Through Aeroflow Cares, we invest in the broader factors that shape well-being by partnering with organizations centered on healthcare access, affordable housing and education pathways. We’ve pledged to donate both monetarily and with our time to causes aligned with these goals, reinforcing our long-term commitment to building healthier communities.

This year, we’re proud to continue that mission by partnering with impactful organizations including Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, Haywood Street Community Development, Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina, and Safelight—all working to advance one of our philanthropic giving pillars: access to health, education and housing across Western North Carolina and beyond.

This is Aeroflow at its best—purpose, care, and action aligned. I’m honored to stand alongside our philanthropic partners and excited for the impact we’ll continue to make together in the year ahead.
Casey Hite, CEO at Aeroflow Health

Deepening Ongoing Partnerships

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM)

Aeroflow Health is expanding its partnership with ABCCM in 2026, continuing a multi-year investment in housing, veteran support, and crisis services for underserved populations across Western North Carolina.

Our financial commitment this year includes sustained support for Transformation Village, contributions toward the rebuilding of the Veterans Restoration Quarters, breastfeeding and CPAP supply donations and additional funding to strengthen critical programs that serve individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Our volunteer engagement will be equally robust. Employees will pack hygiene kits and homeless outreach bags, serve meals to women and children at Transformation Village, support food box packing at the Crisis Ministry, and host a winter clothing drive for their onsite emergency shelter.

“ABCCM is honored to be one of Aeroflow's community partners in restoring lives in WNC. Aeroflow is a blue-ribbon example of corporate leadership taking responsibility to improve and build a stronger community! The combination of making a significant contribution of both employee volunteers and funding restores lives and strengthens team work and community- a double blessing for our community!”
Scott Rogers, Executive Director at ABCCM

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

In 2026, Aeroflow Health will continue investing in United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County to help mobilize resources that address poverty and inequity in our community. Our financial support will sponsor back-to-school initiatives and community care events that provide essential supplies and resources to local families.

Through United Way’s Business United and Hands-On programs, our employees will have access to curated volunteer opportunities throughout the year. We plan to host onsite “We Care” events at Aeroflow headquarters where teams assemble resiliency and snack packs for children, participate in large-scale Days of Connection, and support school supply drives that equip students for success.

Business partnerships like the one we have with Aeroflow Health exemplify the transformational relationships we strive to build with all businesses. By investing both resources and time into corporate giving and employee engagement, we are working together to ensure hundreds of students have access to school supplies, Community School Resource Rooms feel welcoming and well-stocked, and our nonprofit partners are supported by dedicated volunteers. It’s more than a check or an hour of service — it’s tangible impact rooted in intentional community building.
Erika Goffin, Associate Director of Resource Development

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity

In 2026, Aeroflow Health is proud to continue our partnership with Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, deepening our commitment to affordable housing in Buncombe County. This year, we are sponsoring the build of another home in the New Heights neighborhood — investing through funds to help a local family achieve long-term stability and self-reliance.

Beyond our financial support, our employees will roll up their sleeves on the job site, helping construct the very home we sponsor. Habitat projects provide meaningful, hands-on opportunities for individuals, families, and teams to work side by side in service. Additionally, several Aeroflow leaders will lend their expertise by consulting and serving in advisory capacities to support Habitat’s operational and strategic growth.

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is thankful for our growing partnership with Aeroflow Health. They eagerly roll up their sleeves building homes, of course, but they have also found creative ways to support our staff and future homeowners. We are grateful for the way this growing company prioritizes authentic community service and philanthropy.
Andy Barnett, CEO at Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity

Haywood Street Community Development

Our partnership with Haywood Street Community Development reflects our belief that housing is foundational to dignity. In 2026, Aeroflow Health will provide substantial financial support toward new housing development and serve as a presenting sponsor for their key community event, “Nourish and Nest” that advances deeply affordable housing initiatives.

Aeroflow employees will also engage directly through volunteer opportunities that foster connection and belonging. Team members can serve meals at the Downtown Welcome Table, help prepare dinner for individuals recovering in the Medical Respite program, and assist with preparing apartment suites and grounds as new residents move in. In addition, Aeroflow leaders will contribute their expertise by serving on committees focused on fundraising, financial management, and communications.

As an organization, Haywood Street Community Development has been able to thrive because of meaningful partnerships, and none has been more meaningful than the one we have with Aeroflow. From our earliest conversations, we sensed a kinship in mission - a desire to not simply give back, but to lay the groundwork for sustainability. Aeroflow shows up with curiosity and generosity whether it is through game changing sponsorships, or through team members participating in service projects. It has been a joy to get to know the people of Aeroflow around the table, serving and sharing alongside one another, and in the garden, creating spaces of beauty that foster community.
April Nance, Lead Storyteller at Haywood Street Community Development

Building New Partnerships

Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina

Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina is dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness by providing permanent housing and supportive services for individuals and families in need. Their housing-first approach prioritizes stability, dignity, and long-term success.

In 2026, we are proud to support Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina by sponsoring the Complete First Aid & Hygiene Program. This sponsorship provides essential first aid supplies, hygiene and personal care items, and cleaning supplies for individuals served at AHOPE Day Center, Compass Point Village, and permanent supportive housing sites.

Employees will have multiple ways to get involved, from volunteering at AHOPE Day Center and the Welcome Home Donation Center to supporting community events throughout the year. This partnership allows our team to engage directly in efforts that prevent and end homelessness in our region.

We are truly honored to partner with Aeroflow Health this year to help provide essential hygiene and healthcare items to our community. Their support reaches our neighbors currently experiencing homelessness as well as those who have transitioned into permanent supportive housing. This partnership promotes stability, improves health outcomes, restores dignity, and directly advances our mission to prevent and end homelessness in our community.

Aeroflow’s deep commitment to expanding access to healthcare, education, and housing in Asheville is both meaningful and inspiring. Through hands-on staff volunteerism and genuine community partnership, they demonstrate what it truly means to invest in lasting change. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and their dedication to making a difference right here at home
Jessie Figueroa, Resource Development Director

Safelight

In 2026, Aeroflow Health will launch a new partnership with Safelight, a nonprofit supporting survivors of interpersonal violence and abuse. Our multi-year financial commitment includes sponsorship of a critical forensic and family advocacy initiative, helping ensure survivors have access to medical, legal, and emotional support services when they need them most.

Our team will also provide in-kind product donations for expecting mothers seeking safety and stability, along with sponsoring and serving meals to those in the shelter throughout the year. Employees can volunteer at Safelight’s resale store, café, and other programs — or serve on committees supporting events, marketing, and capacity building. Through this partnership, we are standing alongside families on their journey from crisis to sustainability

We are thrilled to have Aeroflow partner with us for the next five years as together we create a safer community. Their support not only helps us to reach out to more survivors, but their time is also going to be spent volunteering deeply with us to feed meals to our shelter residents throughout the next year. We are grateful to their passion and support to create hope and healing with us.
Lauren Wilkie, LMSW, LCSW, LISW-CP/AP, CEO at Safelight

The Work Won’t Stop Here

As we look ahead, Aeroflow Cares will continue to align our business strengths with the needs of the communities we serve. By pairing strategic financial investment with hands-on employee engagement, we’re building partnerships designed for measurable, long-term impact. For our partners, members, and stakeholders, this work reinforces a simple but powerful commitment: when communities are stronger, health outcomes improve and that’s a responsibility we’re proud to carry forward together.

For health plans and managed care organizations, incontinence remains a vastly under-recognized driver of cost, risk, and member dissatisfaction, yet it is also a modifiable lever to improve performance. When addressed proactively, continence management can reduce avoidable utilization, delay institutionalization, and improve member experience while strengthening quality and financial outcomes for Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and other risk-bearing plans. [1][2]

The hidden cost of incontinence

Incontinence is often framed as a quality-of-life concern rather than a core cost and risk issue, but its downstream impact on healthcare utilization is substantial. Recent analyses show that urinary incontinence and overactive bladder together are associated with tens of billions of dollars in annual costs in the United States, driven by higher rates of outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and prescription use compared with matched adults without incontinence. For payers, these costs are compounded by sequelae such as falls, fractures, skin breakdown, and infections, which are frequently preventable with systematic continence management. [1][2][3][4]

The payer perspective: Why continence management matters

From a payer standpoint, incontinence-related costs extend far beyond supplies to include increased use of home health, emergency services, and skilled nursing facilities. Members with stress or mixed urinary incontinence incur markedly higher total costs over multi-year periods than controls, reflecting more frequent physician visits, hospital care, and medication use. In addition, incontinence-related falls and fractures create another layer of financial exposure, given the high acute and post-acute costs associated with hip fractures and other serious injuries in older adults. [1][2][4]

Indirect costs are equally important. Untreated or poorly managed incontinence contributes to falls, skin breakdown, and urinary tract infections, each of which can trigger a cascade of escalations from ED visits to hospital admissions and long-term care placement. These complications drive utilization in high-cost settings and often result in permanent loss of independence, particularly for older adults with multiple chronic conditions. For plans that serve a high proportion of frail or dually eligible members, these dynamics can significantly influence total cost of care and medical loss ratios. [1][4][5][6]

Incontinence and risk of institutionalization

Incontinence is a well-established predictor of functional decline and more supported living arrangements. Studies in older adults show that urinary incontinence and especially dual incontinence (urinary and fecal) are associated with higher likelihood of transitioning to more intensive care settings within a year, even after accounting for age and comorbidities. In nursing homes, a large proportion of residents who are continent at admission develop dual incontinence over the first one to two years, highlighting both the scale of the problem and the opportunity for proactive interventions. [1][7][6]

For Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans, each avoidable admission or prolonged stay in a nursing facility represents a major cost center. Because Medicaid remains the primary payer for long-term services and supports, preventable institutionalization driven by incontinence has implications for both state budgets and the financial performance of D-SNPs and other integrated plans. Addressing continence more systematically can therefore align clinical and financial goals by supporting community tenure while reducing dependence on institutional care.[1][5][7]

Falls, fractures, and safety risks

Incontinence is closely linked with fall risk, particularly in older adults who experience urgency, nocturia, and mobility limitations. Urgency-related rushing to the bathroom, especially at night, contributes to falls, and nocturia has been associated with increased risks of both falls and fractures in observational studies. Fragility fractures following falls have profound consequences, including functional decline, loss of independence, and elevated mortality in the year after injury. [1][4][6][8]

The associated costs are significant. Hip fractures in older adults result in high acute care expenditures and extended post-acute rehabilitation, along with increased likelihood of long-term institutionalization. When incontinence is not addressed, plans face recurring costs from ED visits, hospital stays, and readmissions, as well as ongoing expenditures for post-acute and long-term care. Integrating continence management into fall prevention programs gives payers a practical way to reduce these events while improving safety and quality of life for members. [1][4][5][8]

Quality of life, independence, and member retention

Beyond utilization and cost, incontinence exerts a powerful effect on members’ daily lives, social engagement, and emotional well-being. Members with incontinence often limit activities, avoid social situations, and feel a loss of dignity, which can worsen depression, anxiety, and adherence to other aspects of chronic disease management. Effective continence support, including appropriate products, education, and care coordination, helps restore autonomy and confidence, which are central to aging in place and maintaining social supports. [1][2][5]

For health plans, these member-level impacts translate directly into satisfaction, retention, and perception of plan responsiveness to real-world needs. In Medicare Advantage, better experiences among older adults can support performance on CAHPS and Care for Older Adults-related measures, feeding into STAR ratings and associated bonus payments. Proactive attention to continence is therefore not just a clinical courtesy but a differentiating feature of member-centered plan design. [1][5]

Impact on Medicare Special Needs Plans

The burden and strategic importance of incontinence are particularly pronounced in Medicare Special Needs Plans. Institutional SNPs (I-SNPs) serve nursing home residents, a population with high rates of incontinence and dual incontinence, and therefore a high incidence of skin breakdown, infections, and falls. For these plans, integrating continence protocols into routine assessments and daily care can reduce avoidable hospitalizations, pressure injuries, and ED visits, improving both quality metrics and per-member cost trends. [1][5][7]

Dual Eligible SNPs (D-SNPs) care for individuals served by both Medicare and Medicaid, many of whom have complex functional and social needs that place them at heightened risk of institutionalization. In this context, unaddressed incontinence can be a tipping point from community living to nursing facility placement, with long-term consequences for both programs. Chronic Condition SNPs (C-SNPs) managing members with conditions like diabetes, heart failure, and neurologic disease also see higher prevalence of incontinence related to comorbidities and medications, making continence management an important component of comprehensive chronic care.[1][2][5][7]

The strategic opportunity for plans

When viewed strategically, continence management becomes a cross-cutting lever that touches utilization, risk mitigation, member experience, and competitive differentiation. Plans that systematically identify members with incontinence, optimize supplies and clinical support, and integrate continence into fall prevention and care management programs can reduce total cost of care while improving outcomes. Claims analytics, assessment data, and predictive modeling can be used to flag at-risk members, including those with frequent UTIs, falls, or nocturia, and target interventions before costly complications occur. [1][2][5]

Operationally, turnkey continence programs can also lessen administrative burden. Each preventable fall, UTI, or pressure ulcer generates not only medical expenses but also internal workload in the form of authorizations, transitions of care, appeals, and case management time. By shifting from reactive authorization of downstream care to upstream continence interventions, plans can free clinical and administrative staff to focus on higher-value work and complex cases. [1][5]

Aeroflow Health’s approach to continence management

Aeroflow Health partners with health plans to convert fragmented, reactive incontinence management into a proactive, data-driven strategy. The model begins with early identification, using data analytics and member outreach to surface individuals exhibiting signs of incontinence or related complications before they incur avoidable high-cost events. Once identified, members receive tailored continence supply programs matched to their functional status, environment, and preferences, reducing leakage, skin breakdown, and the need for higher-acuity care.[1][5]

This product optimization is combined with integration into existing case management, care coordination, and fall prevention workflows, minimizing disruption for plan teams. For example, continence assessments and product reviews can be embedded into fall risk evaluations or post-discharge follow-ups, creating a unified approach to safety and independence. Aeroflow’s model emphasizes education and support for members and caregivers, helping them use products correctly, manage symptoms, and communicate changes in status that might signal evolving risk. [1][4]

Linking continence to falls and quality

A key component of Aeroflow Health’s strategy is explicit alignment with fall prevention initiatives. Because nocturia, urgency, and mobility challenges combine to drive nighttime falls, interventions that stabilize continence can meaningfully lower risk. Plans can use claims and assessment data to identify high-risk members, deploy targeted continence supplies and home safety modifications, and then monitor falls, ED visits, and fractures over time to demonstrate impact.[1][4][8]

These efforts also support performance on quality measures related to functional status, care coordination, and member experience. By improving continence and related outcomes, plans can positively influence both clinical quality metrics and patient-reported measures that feed STAR ratings and bonuses. In competitive markets, a visible, well-executed continence program becomes part of the plan’s value proposition to members, caregivers, and providers.

From overlooked burden to strategic lever

The burden of untreated or poorly managed incontinence is too great for members who lose independence and dignity, for caregivers who struggle with day-to-day care, and for health plans facing avoidable high-cost utilization and institutionalization. Treating continence as a strategic priority rather than a peripheral benefit allows plans to reduce total cost of care, support aging in place, and enhance member satisfaction and loyalty. Through data-driven identification, optimized supplies, and integrated care coordination, partners such as Aeroflow Health enable payers to move from reactive management of incontinence-related complications to proactive, measurable improvement in outcomes and financial performance. [1][2][5]

Are you a health plan interested in learning how we can support your members while lowering your total cost of care? Contact us here to learn more.

Dr. Mike Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney who has extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He works as a fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Healthcare and other technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations, and digital health companies. Previous roles include: CMO for Uber Health, the logistics and transportation company, Bright Health Plan, an innovative health insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post- acute care benefits manager acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

References

At Aeroflow Health, #GivingTuesday is more than a single day. It’s a moment to celebrate and support the organizations that strengthen our Western North Carolina community every day.

We are honored to partner with several incredible organizations that serve our neighbors with compassion, dignity, and dedication. These nonprofits play a vital role in addressing food insecurity, improving access to healthcare, expanding housing opportunities, and educating youth across our region.

Our Community Partners

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
The first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina, supporting more than 2,100 adults and children in Buncombe County, helping them achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future. Between 2018 and 2028, the organization is on track to empower 1,000 more families to improve their housing and build strong, stable futures.
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM)
A leading faith-based nonprofit organization addressing poverty, hunger, homelessness, and access to healthcare for underserved populations across North Carolina. Supported by over 300 churches and more than 5,000 trained volunteers annually, ABCCM serves over 30,000 individuals each year through seven core ministries.
Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County
A nonprofit dedicated to providing a nurturing environment for nearly 1,000 youth in the Henderson and Buncombe County areas. The organization empowers kids to go beyond their classroom and achieve success in all areas of life by offering a fun and secure space, a meaningful Club experience, and compassionate mentors.
Haywood St. Community Development
A sister nonprofit to Haywood Street Congregation, this development is providing affordable housing in Asheville’s city centre. The organization is creating an atmosphere that speaks of individual worth, creating homes, not just housing. Potential tenants include service industry workers, 3rd shift laborers, formerly unhoused residents, and families struggling to make ends meet.
Meals on Wheels of Asheville Buncombe County
A meal delivery program providing hot, delicious meals to homebound seniors in Buncombe County. The organization currently serves over 600 individuals across 47 routes, providing meals and daily wellness checks that support independent living.
Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC)
A nonprofit focused on improving training and retention of healthcare professionals across Western North Carolina. MAHEC serves North Carolina’s 16 westernmost counties, and is the largest of the nine state AHECs that address national and state concerns with the supply, retention, and quality of health professionals especially in rural areas of the state.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
A 100-year-old education organization that has been a cornerstone of community-driven change, bringing together individuals, businesses, and organizations to build a more resilient and thriving community. United Way mobilizes and supports a robust network of people, partners, and resources to co-create opportunities for every person in the North Carolina community to succeed.

Our Commitment to Community

“Our annual participation in Giving Tuesday reflects our ultimate goal at Aeroflow Health, which is to positively transform the lives within the communities we serve. As a company that has worked with underserved patients for almost 25 years, we understand the importance of supporting organizations that prioritize access to care, housing and education.” said Ryan Bullock, Chief Strategy Officer of Aeroflow Health. “We’re eager to continue leveraging our business success to fuel positive social impact and improve the health outcomes in Asheville and the surrounding area.”

This giving season, we showed our gratitude by delivering lunch to community partner staff, making donations to support their missions, and encouraging our team to volunteer with these vital organizations and others in the communities where they live.

“It is truly humbling to take a step back and reflect on all the impact that Aeroflow Health has been able to be a part of this year,” said Joy Payne, Sr. Corporate Marketing & Content Specialist at Aeroflow Health. “Western North Carolina is a better place because of companies like Aeroflow that take the time to see where needs are and jump into action to meet those needs. 2025 is just the start. I cannot wait to see the positive change that we’re able to make in years to come.”

Learn more about our community partners and how we give back year-round: aeroflowhealth.com/aeroflowcares

Giving back takes many forms, big and small. How did you give back this year? 💙

Written by Joy Payne, Sr. Corporate Marketing & Content Specialist at Aeroflow Health

Redefining Success Beyond the Bottom Line

At Aeroflow Health, we believe true success is measured by more than just numbers on a balance sheet. While business growth is important, our ultimate metric is the positive transformation of lives within the communities we serve. Since Aeroflow’s first days in 2001, leveraging our business success to fuel significant social impact has been at the heart of philanthropic philosophy. At Aeroflow, we understand that true health goes beyond merely providing essential services like breast pumps, CGMs, nutrition counseling, CPAP machines, lactation classes, and incontinence supplies. We believe health encompasses diverse forms, which is why our dedicated philanthropic pillars extend beyond healthcare access to embrace education access and affordable housing and giving back to organizations our employees value most, building holistic well-being in our communities.

This year, we’re proud to amplify this mission by corporately partnering with incredible organizations like ABCCM, United Way, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, the Boys & Girls Club of Hendersonville, and Haywood Street Community Development, all working to advance healthcare access, education, and housing in Western North Carolina and beyond.

Partnerships in Action: Transforming Lives Together

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM)

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) is a leading faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing poverty, hunger, homelessness, and healthcare access for underserved populations across North Carolina. Aeroflow Health has proudly partnered with ABCCM for several years, and this year, we’re honored to specifically support their vital work through Transformation Village, the Hurricane Helene Recovery Kit initiative, product donations, and their Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry.

“ABCCM is honored to partner with Aeroflow where our common mission is to improve the health of our community. There are so many ways that Aeroflow brings health with ABCCM through providing over 10,000 meals to families, plus volunteering in the Medical Ministry, Crisis Ministry, Transformation Village and Veterans Restoration Quarters. We are both committed to making our community healthier, vibrant, and thriving for all our neighbors.”

-Reverend Scott Rogers, Executive Director at ABCCM

Aeroflow Health commitment to community development

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

For over 100 years, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County (UWABC) has been a cornerstone of community-driven change, bringing together individuals, businesses, and organizations to build a more resilient and thriving community. Their mission is to mobilize and support a robust network of people, partners, and resources to co-create opportunities for every person in our community to succeed. This year, we’re honored to specifically support UWABC’s vital work through their School Supply Drive initiative and various other volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

“Our partnership with Aeroflow is a standout example of what it looks like when a business shows up for its community. From the hands-on service of their dedicated team to their generous corporate giving, Aeroflow’s support is helping United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County tackle our most urgent challenges, improve lives, and strengthen the connections that make our community more resilient.”

-Dan Leroy, President and CEO, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

Meals on Wheels of Asheville Buncombe County

For nearly 50 years, Meals on Wheels has delivered meals to homebound seniors in Buncombe County. The organization currently serves over 600 individuals across 47 routes, providing meals and daily wellness checks that support independent living. Partnerships, including the recent collaboration with Aeroflow Health, aim to address the growing demand and strengthen services for older adults in the region. This year, we’re honored to specifically support Meals on Wheels of Asheville Buncombe County’s vital work through sponsoring the “Neighbors Nourishing Neighbors” event and providing meals for five homebound seniors for an entire year.

“We are incredibly grateful for Aeroflow Health’s generous support—their $10,000 sponsorship made it possible for us to host our Neighbors Nourishing Neighbors event and bring greater awareness and participation from the community in our mission. On top of that, their additional $9,000 gift will provide a full year of meals for five of our most vulnerable seniors. This partnership reflects a deep commitment to our work and to helping us ‘End the Wait’ for those still in need of services. Aeroflow understands that food is medicine, and their support helps us deliver both nourishment and care to those who need it most. Together, we’re not just meeting a need—we’re improving health and quality of life for our older neighbors.”

-Debbie Sprouse, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity

Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Through Habitat homeownership and home repair programs, more than 2,100 adults and children in Buncombe County have achieved the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future.

Aeroflow Health is deeply committed to addressing housing instability. With 1 in 6 households spending more than half their income on housing, we’re honored to significantly support Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity’s vital mission by sponsoring the construction of a new home in West Asheville, slated for Fall 2025. In addition to our financial contribution, Aeroflow employees will have the unique opportunity to volunteer their time to help build this home, directly contributing to a family’s dream of homeownership. “Supporting initiatives like Habitat for Humanity’s home build is a direct reflection of Aeroflow Health’s commitment to holistic well-being,” says Lauren Bennett, COO of Aeroflow Health. “We understand that stable housing is fundamental to health and dignity, and empowering our employees to contribute hands-on truly brings our mission to life, making a tangible difference in our community.”

“We are so grateful for Aeroflow’s Full House sponsorship. Habitat homeownership is linked to improved health, better educational outcomes, and greater financial stability. Your sponsorship provides a local family with the opportunity to build a brighter future on the foundation of a stable, healthy home.”

-Andy Barnett, CEO, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity

Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC)

MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) is a cornerstone of health in Western North Carolina, embodying excellence in Clinical Care through nearly 250,000 annual patient visits, including the delivery of 2,500 babies each year. Their integrated care model, encompassing everything from family medicine to behavioral health, supports the whole person. Beyond direct patient services, MAHEC is dedicated to excellence in health professions training and education, with over 800 physicians, pharmacists, and dentists having graduated from their residency and fellowship programs since June 2024. Remarkably, over 80% of their North Carolina graduates choose to practice right here in WNC, strengthening our local healthcare landscape.

Aeroflow Health is honored to specifically support MAHEC’s vital work through providing funding for 3 Maternal Fetal Medicine Scholarships and sponsoring the Centering Pregnancy Program that will include a donation of educational classes through Aeroflow Breastpumps, expanding access to pregnancy and postpartum education for new and expecting mothers.

“Western North Carolina isn’t just where we’re headquartered, it’s our home,” said Jennifer Jordan, VP of Aeroflow Breastpumps. “We know how vital access to maternal care is, especially in underserved communities, and we’re proud to be part of the solution with MAHEC to support quality care for moms. We are thrilled to be able to offer the pregnancy, breastfeeding, and postpartum expertise of our certified instructors, including IBCLCs, RNs, CLCs, and doulas, to the families that need it most.”

“We are deeply grateful to Aeroflow Health for their dedicated partnership in advancing maternal and child health in Western North Carolina. Through their generous support of prenatal and postpartum education, care, and research, including programs like Centering Pregnancy and maternal-fetal medicine studies, Aeroflow Health is helping MAHEC expand access to essential services for families across our region. This partnership not only addresses the urgent maternal health needs in our communities but also supports critical research that improves outcomes and informs how we deliver care in rural settings. It is through meaningful partnerships like this that we are able to extend care to more families and build a healthier future for all.”

-William R. Hathaway, MD, CEO at MAHEC

Boys & Girls Club of Hendersonville

The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County is dedicated to empowering nearly 1,000 youth in Henderson and Buncombe Counties, striving to be a place where every child feels a sense of belonging and safety. Their mission is clear: to enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

This year, Aeroflow Health is honored to specifically support the Boys & Girls Club of Hendersonville by sponsoring their tutoring program that offers specialized academic support that empowers students to complete their daily assignments, master core principles and ultimately boost confidence and comprehension.

“At the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County, we believe that community support is the foundation for helping our young people thrive. Areoflow’s generosity, through their $10,000 gift and commitment to volunteer with our members, shows a genuine care for local youth and families. Their investment helps us expand opportunities for kids to learn, grow, and help build the confidence they need to succeed in school and life. With the opening of our new team center, Teens on Main (TOM), located on Main Street in Hendersonville, this partnership could not have come at a better time. We are proud to call Areoflow a partner in this important work.”

-Joshua Titherington, Communication & Resource Director, Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County.

Haywood Street Community Development

Haywood Street Community Development is a unique Asheville-based organization dedicated to fostering community, cultivating dignity, and providing a sense of home for those experiencing homelessness and poverty. Their innovative approach focuses on deeply relational practices, offering radical hospitality and working to create affordable, supportive housing solutions like Lady Gloria Ridge, where individuals can find stability and belonging.

This year, Aeroflow Health is honored to significantly deepen its commitment to addressing the housing crisis by being the presenting sponsor of Haywood Street Community Development’s upcoming building project. This vital initiative will provide Asheville residents experiencing homelessness with a home that not only restores dignity but also fosters a safe, stable, and supportive community.

“Haywood Street Community Development’s partnership with Aeroflow allows us to live fully into our mission of affirming the dignity and sacred worth of each person. Through their generous support, we’re able to provide luxury appliances and high-end finishes. Like us, Aeroflow embraces a holistic view of housing—not just as shelter, but as a reflection of each person’s full value, inside and out.”

-Laurie Shea, Director of Housing Haywood Street Community Development

We’re Just Getting Started

Aeroflow Health’s involvement in each of these organizations reflects our belief that success is measured in the number of lives transformed. As Ryan Bullock, Chief Strategy Officer at Aeroflow Health, said, “Access to nutritious meals, affordable housing, education and healthcare might not be about durable medical equipment directly but they are about dignity and independence. At Aeroflow Health, we see firsthand how social factors like food insecurity and access to basic needs directly impact health outcomes. Supporting these organizations means helping our neighbors stay in their homes, avoid hospital visits, get the education they deserve and ultimately live fuller lives. That’s the kind of healthcare transformation we believe in.”

A key part of our philanthropic strategy is empowering our team. With each of our corporate partnerships this year, Aeroflow employees will be empowered to use the 16 hours of paid volunteer time they are given to volunteer in their local community. Every organization was carefully chosen with our employees in mind, specifically to provide accessible and meaningful opportunities for them to get involved.

This is just the beginning of our journey. Aeroflow Health’s commitment to our communities isn’t just a program; it’s woven into the very fabric of who we are. Together, we can continue to transform countless lives, proving that the true meaning of success lies in the health, dignity, and independence of every individual we serve.

Joy Payne

Joy is the Sr. Corporate Marketing & Content Specialist at Aeroflow Health. With over a decade of experience in bringing brand stories to life, Joy has a profound appreciation for the power of storytelling.

As a graduate of Western Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in English: Professional Writing, Joy has actively contributed to various publications, including Grit & Virtue, AdventHealth’s Experience Magazine, and Thryve Mag. Through her work, she has demonstrated a keen eye for expressing unique perspectives that resonate with audiences and elevate brand voices.

In her free time, Joy enjoys driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway, writing songs, and discovering the best coffee spots in town. Her diverse experiences and commitment to shining a light on meaningful stories underscore her expertise in the field.

Written by Michelle Kim, Senior Corporate Marketing Coordinator at Aeroflow Health.

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, MD, JD, Chief Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Health.

Health plan partnerships with existing network providers can improve adherence, reduce costs and deliver measurable improvements in health outcomes. Our webinar, “Improving Diabetes Care Using Nutrition Therapy, Strategic Partnerships and Patient-Generated Data,” explored how collaboration can deliver comprehensive, data-driven approaches to diabetes management, integrating key interventions such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and member-centered care tools. For more comprehensive insights, watch the full webinar below.

How do diabetic Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers, like Aeroflow, contribute to improving diabetes management beyond simply supplying medical devices?
To understand why people come to this program, Aeroflow conducted a survey that received over 1400 responses. What do the results mean?
How do DME partnerships with health plans reduce overall health care costs while maintaining or improving patient outcomes?
How quickly can we see the impact of the MNT sessions?
How do you use AI for diabetes management to take CGM data, identify at-risk members, and intervene proactively?

How do diabetic Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers, like Aeroflow, contribute to improving diabetes management beyond simply supplying medical devices?

Sophie: We are recognizing that the patient’s health journey doesn’t end when they receive a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). In order for the patient to use the CGM successfully and see results, they need to be supported from the beginning. This starts with supporting CGM setup and troubleshooting, providing diabetes self management education and introducing sessions with our qualified dietitians. Patients need to understand how to interpret what they’re seeing on the CGM, what the alerts mean, how to impact their glucose readings and how to set up their device in a way that works for them.

Also unique to Aeroflow is that we are leveraging the value of the dietitian-patient relationship between the patient and the dietitian. We’re working to provide a world-class customer experience to ensure that patients feel heard, have an easy time getting their supplies and have quick access to resources that allow them to persevere when diabetes self management gets challenging. We really do our best to make that journey as easy as possible for them.

To understand why people come to this program, Aeroflow conducted a survey that received over 1400 responses. What do the results mean?

Carson: Overwhelmingly, the response was they wanted to control their glucose levels in order to avoid long-term complications. People really care about staying healthy, and that is why they attend nutrition classes and learn more about what the data is telling them. Their secondary goal is quality of life and weight management. Senior patients are motivated by a desire for structured, reliable support to maintain their health and independence. Proactive patients are motivated by a self-driven approach to optimize their health and reduce reliance on medications.

How do DME partnerships with health plans reduce overall health care costs while maintaining or improving patient outcomes?

Ryan: We create access and engagement for the members. We’ve established trust, gotten them comfortable with new devices and provided diabetes self management education so that we can get members to engage with programs that the health plan may be focused on. We also have the ability to gather social determinants of health needs and help health plans close those gaps. We help reduce overall healthcare expenditure by addressing transportation needs, food insecurities, etc.

How quickly can we see the impact of the MNT sessions?

Sophie: It can happen really quickly. The amazing thing about CGMs is that you get instantaneous information. It improves patients’ interest in using the devices and their adherence because patients can make lifestyle changes and see the impact on their glucose levels in real time.

How do you use AI for diabetes management to take CGM data, identify at-risk members, and intervene proactively?

Carson: The biggest benefit we see is summarizing trends in personalized data and then using the trend data to provide coaching and/or insights to improve diabetes care. We have digital tools that are available to patients free of charge where they can connect their CGM data to our app and receive daily insights and coaching. The next level is using data and behaviors to predict their glucose levels. By coupling AI in diabetes care trends and predictive analytics, not only can we identify high-risk patients, but we can also proactively escalate that information to caregivers or physicians to avoid more severe long-term implications.

Panelists:

Michael Cantor, M.D.

Ryan Bullock

Ryan serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Aeroflow Health, a premier nationwide provider of durable medical equipment. In his current position, Ryan oversees strategic operations, corporate development, and government relations. For over 16 years, Ryan has provided exceptional leadership, management, and vision to Aeroflow, resulting in incredible growth and profitability for the company. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Engineering from Western Carolina University and resides with his family in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.

Carson Moore

Carson serves as the Director of Aeroflow Diabetes. Carson initially joined Aeroflow Health in mergers & acquisitions before transitioning to develop and grow the diabetes division. With an extensive background in finance and operations, Carson has a keen understanding of how to optimize processes and maximize efficiency within the healthcare industry. Carson is passionate about implementing initiatives aimed at helping patients understand and navigate the complexities of the industry. He believes in simplifying the process and providing diabetes self management education to empower patients to effectively take control of their diabetes management.

Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, LDN, NBC-HWC

Sophie Lauver is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach passionate about helping people take control of their health and get excited about nutrition. Sophie has a Bachelor's degree in Communication from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree in Dietetics from Eastern Michigan University. Sophie has worked in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation, and wellness technology, and most recently, served as the director of the nation's largest diabetes prevention program. Sophie lives in Baltimore, MD, with her husband, infant son, and their two dogs and two cats. When she’s not working with clients, she enjoys cooking, not doing dishes, trying new restaurants, and spending time being active outside (especially on warm and sunny days).

Written by Michelle Kim, Senior Corporate Marketing Coordinator at Aeroflow Health.

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Sabina Katyal, Senior Marketing Manager at Aeroflow Health.

Care for people diagnosed with diabetes accounts for 1 in 4 health care dollars in the U.S., highlighting the urgent need for a more effective approach. Unlike traditional diabetes management, integrated diabetes management combines coordinated care, digital health resources, and health literacy initiatives to improve patient engagement and clinical outcomes. This scalable solution leads to greater efficiency, reduced healthcare costs, and improved quality metrics.

Gaps in Traditional Diabetes Management

Traditional diabetes management relies on a fragmented approach that overlooks the role of digital health tools and may not fully incorporate health literacy initiatives. Providers encounter challenges such as limited patient engagement capacity, insufficient data exchange, and staffing shortages. Patients face obstacles to accessing digital health resources, including language barriers, financial constraints, and a lack of digital literacy. This model can result in patients feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from their care, leading to lower engagement and adherence to treatment plans.

Value of Integrated Diabetes Management

Integrated diabetes management offers patients tailored care through simplified communication with their providers. This approach fosters improved preventative care participation, adherence to treatment plans, and clinical outcomes, such as more stable blood glucose levels and reduced risk of complications.

Coordinated Care

Interdisciplinary teams of providers can collaborate through efficient telehealth visits, online language translation, streamlined communication and information sharing, as well as proactive follow-ups.

Digital Health Tools

Digital health tools, like continuous glucose monitors and mobile apps, enable real-time tracking, allowing for timely adjustments, increased accuracy, and decreased risk of errors in treatment plans. Providers can use data-driven decision making to identify at-risk members and proactively provide focused interventions faster.

Health Literacy Initiatives

With access to personalized educational materials and online support, patients can understand their condition, treatment options, and self-management strategies—enabling them to take a more active role in their health.

The Power of An Integrated Diabetes Management Program

Coordinated care, digital health tools, and health literacy initiatives work synergistically to help patients and providers make informed decisions when managing diabetes. By embracing an integrated diabetes management program, we can create a robust support system that empowers patients to effectively manage diabetes.

Aeroflow’s Diabetes Management Program

Aeroflow Health is revolutionizing integrated diabetes management programs with a holistic, patient-centered approach that blends advanced technology, clinical support, and personalized care. Through integrated, multimodal pathways, our program for managing diabetes empowers patients with the tools and support to effectively manage their diabetes, improve outcomes, and live healthier lives.

Learn More about Aeroflow Diabetes and our commitment to improving patients’ lives.

Written by Michelle Kim, Senior Corporate Marketing Coordinator at Aeroflow Health.

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Sabina Katyal, Senior Marketing Manager at Aeroflow Health.

Partnering with Nonprofits Dedicated to Improving Maternal and Infant Health

At Aeroflow Health, we understand the importance of providing essential medical services and supplies for moms, such as breast pumps and milk storage bags, to support successful postpartum recovery and infant feeding. By partnering with nonprofits like March of Dimes, we’re ensuring that moms and babies have access to the resources, supplies and services they need when they need them most. March of Dimes focuses on improving the health of mothers and babies through research, education, community programs and policy change through advocacy.

Aeroflow’s Head of Government Affairs, Mindi Walker, actively participates in March for Change, a series of ongoing advocacy events across the country organized by March of Dimes. At these events, participants meet elected officials to raise awareness and champion health legislation that addresses critical issues like preterm birth, maternal health disparities, and limited access to medical supplies.

These advocacy efforts provide us with insights into the real challenges families face, allowing us to better tailor our services and advocate for policies that directly impact access to necessary equipment and support.

How Our Partnership With March of Dimes Benefits Health Plans

Our nonprofit corporate partnership with March of Dimes and our active participation in advocacy events provide valuable insights and benefits for health plans by enabling the following:

Enhanced Understanding of Maternal and Infant Health Needs: We gain a deeper understanding of the challenges families face today, allowing us to better tailor our services and advocate for policies that address specific needs.
Improved Member Outcomes: Ensuring new mothers have timely access to breast pumps can significantly contribute to successful breastfeeding and improved infant health outcomes. Our proactive approach to providing timely access to essential medical supplies can lead to reduced healthcare costs associated with complications and hospitalizations.
Strengthened Community Engagement: Our dedication to community well-being enhances a health plan’s reputation and fosters stronger relationships with members.
Informed Advocacy: We influence decision-making by presenting policymakers and health plans with valuable data and research in our advocacy efforts.

Our Commitment to Maternal and Infant Health

We’re proud to stand alongside March of Dimes and build a healthier future for moms and babies. Together, we’re advancing equitable health outcomes and making a real difference for families everywhere.

Learn more about Aeroflow Breastpumps and how we support mothers with breast pumps and other supplies they need to care for their baby through insurance.

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a proven approach to managing diet-related health issues, especially for people with diabetes, yet it often remains underutilized. Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) & Nutritional Counseling: A Holistic Approach for Patient Health,” to explore the critical role of MNT in improving health outcomes. For more comprehensive insights, you can watch a playback of the webinar here.

Table of Contents

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and how does it positively impact patients to help manage chronic conditions?
What role do Dietitians, Primary Care Providers, and Endocrinologists play in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)?
Aeroflow strives to not only provide Durable Medical Equipment (DME) like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) but also provide support for patients along their journey. What does Aeroflow’s Nutrition Program look like?
How does Medical Nutrition Therapy get covered by insurance?
What role does Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) play in supporting patients on GLP-1 medicines?

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and how does it positively impact patients to help manage chronic conditions?

Dr. Gabbay: This is an important question. I will start from the perspective of diabetes and obesity. In so many ways, diabetes is the poster child for the value of Medical Nutrition Therapy. We know that the diet of someone with diabetes has a profound influence on overall outcomes.

Recent data published shows that 38 million people are living with diabetes, 97 million with pre-diabetes, and three-quarters of Americans are either overweight or obese. For those in that pre-diabetes category, we know that from large randomized trials, Medical Nutrition Therapy can lower their risk of developing diabetes by almost 60%. With one out of four healthcare dollars going towards diabetes, MNT is very important.

Medical Nutrition Therapy is proven to be effective in improving A1C, the measure of average glucose, which is the predictor of further complications of diabetes like eye disease, kidney failure, amputations, and more. In ten years, obesity is expected to cost 9.1 trillion dollars.

Medical Nutrition Therapy provides the guidance, tools, and problem-solving around eating and how it affects one’s health. This is important not only for those with diabetes but also for anyone with a chronic disease. What we eat makes such a difference!

What role do Dietitians, Primary Care Providers, and Endocrinologists play in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)?

Sophie: Medical Nutrition Therapy is essentially a therapeutic dietary approach to preventing or managing chronic diseases. It involves meeting with a registered dietitian either individually or in a group setting to collaboratively assess a patient’s nutritional status. The dietitian assigns a nutrition diagnosis and develops a personalized nutrition intervention based on the patient’s needs, medical history, lab results, finances, and lifestyle. Ultimately, we conduct regular follow-ups to monitor the patient and evaluate whether our goals are being achieved. We also troubleshoot any challenges that are coming up to ensure that the patient can be successful with their plan.

For conditions like Type 2 diabetes, we want to improve glycemic control, reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and improve weight control. In terms of our role as the “food police,” I think a lot of patients think that they don’t need to see a dietitian because their mindset is that they know what they need to do already, and they just need to do it.

I think the role of dietitians in facilitating behavior change is lesser known. Our role is not just assigning the plan but helping the patient actually get there. This is often where we provide the most value.

Aeroflow strives to not only provide Durable Medical Equipment (DME) like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) but also provide support for patients along their journey. What does Aeroflow’s Nutrition Program look like?

Sophie: We are currently offering individual and group sessions with registered dietitians via telehealth. Some of these classes are about diabetes nutrition, heart-health nutrition, and now we have a class about how to navigate nutrition during the holidays. We’re working with patients with diabetes on weight loss, and for many patients, we’re talking about similar dietary interventions. Our sessions encourage increasing the intake of fiber-rich foods, reducing added sugars, eating more whole foods, reducing sodium intake, being more active, and our ultimate goal is to empower patients to make informed choices that work for them.

The dietitian is there as a personalized guide to support the patient throughout the process. For example, we help by sending recipe shopping lists, sending additional educational resources, brainstorming kid-friendly recipes and more. We now have an open-format class where patients can ask questions about their nutrition or CGM use, and we’ve seen great success so far!

“This was my first experience with a dietician. Mary is very professional and patient at the same time. She listened to my concerns very carefully and planned a nutrition plan for me to help me manage my diabetes during my pregnancy. I am more confident now and the best part is she is always reachable if I have any concerns or questions regarding my diabetes or diet.”

Monica S.

How does Medical Nutrition Therapy get covered by insurance?

Ryan: Medicare-covered medical nutrition therapy is becoming more and more normalized. Medicare covers 3 hours of MNT in the first year and 2 hours annually thereafter. However, without proper follow-up, only 1 in 4 patients adhere to recommended nutrition plans for more than 6 months. The 3 hours given by Medicare may be limiting for patients needing the space and time to make lasting changes, so I do think there is still a lot of work to be done in the expansion of coverage.

The food we consume and the activities we take part in will ultimately impact the outcomes that are achieved, and so that’s something we want to peel back the layers on with the work we’re doing at Aeroflow. Being able to report the outcome data from our MNT program to health plans is a start.

Sophie: I think there is also a challenge with the Medicare coverage because those 3 hours are only for those with diabetes or kidney disease. Right now, Medicare isn’t covering a wide array of various diagnoses. For example, pre-diabetes or preventative services are not covered, and these are very important when we consider the importance of prevention.

Dr. Gabbay: MNT is such a cost-effective intervention for people with many chronic diseases. As we think about how the various health insurance coverages differ, the lack of expansion in coverage also turns into a barrier for clinicians in terms of referral because they don’t know whether it will be covered or not. So, having a more uniform approach would be helpful.

Less than 50% of eligible patients take advantage of MNT services due to a lack of awareness, and I think this provides the promise that there really is value in MNT services and should be something that health plans think about as they branch further out into MNT.

What role does Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) play in supporting patients on GLP-1 medicines?

Dr. Gabbay: One thing that people often are unaware of is that most of the studies and clinical trials that led to the approval of these medications included medical nutrition therapy as part of the intervention. So, if you look at the gap between real-world evidence and what we’re seeing in the field using these medications, you will see that we’re not seeing quite the same weight loss as we did in those clinical trials. The difference is the lack of MNT.

I think the other important area is around side effects. An astounding amount, about half of the people using these medicines stop within the first year, and side effects are certainly part of that. Not only can nausea and vomiting be managed with appropriate eating behaviors, but also one area of concern is the loss of lean muscle mass and ensuring proper protein intake can help reduce the muscle loss.

To learn more about Aeroflow Health’s Medical Nutrition Therapy Program, click the button below.

Mike is a geriatrician and attorney with extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He was the fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Uber Health and currently is the CMO for technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations, and digital health companies. Previous roles include CMO for Bright Health Plan, an innovative health insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post-acute care benefits manager acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

Sophie Lauver is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach passionate about helping people take control of their health and get excited about nutrition. Sophie has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree in Dietetics from Eastern Michigan University. Sophie has worked in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation, and wellness technology, and most recently, served as the director of the nation’s largest diabetes prevention program. Sophie lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband, infant son, and their two dogs and two cats. When she’s not working with clients, she enjoys cooking, not doing dishes, trying new restaurants, and spending time being active outside (especially on warm and sunny days).

Ryan serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Aeroflow Health, a premier nationwide provider of durable medical equipment. In his current position, Ryan oversees strategic operations, corporate development and government relations. For over 14 years, Ryan has provided exceptional leadership, management and vision to Aeroflow, resulting in incredible growth and profitability for the company. Ryan holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Electronic Engineering from Western Carolina University and resides with his family in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.

Robert A. Gabbay, MD, PhD, FACP is Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and the Joslin Diabetes Center and former Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Throughout his vibrant career he has had many accomplishments as a basic science researcher, developer of patient communication tools, creator of the first broad scale diabetes registry, designer of care management training programs, digital health innovations, and leader of one of the largest primary care transformation efforts in the US around the Patient Centered Medical Home.

The reach of his work has been recognized through leadership roles in national and international arenas. Dr. Gabbay has served as visiting professor, keynote speaker, and on organizing committees for global meetings of the ADA, International Diabetes Federation, Endocrine Society, and the Diabetes Technology Society. Along with an extensive peer reviewed publication record, he has appeared in and is frequently quoted by the popular press including the New York Times, CNN, the Washington Post, and NPR.

At the ADA, Dr. Gabbay has led many transformational initiatives including guiding the ADA to a deeper focus on primary care through the establishment of the Primary Care Council (comprised of leading primary care organizations in the US) and the ADA Primary Care Alliance of over 2000 primary care practices committed to transform diabetes care to the reinvigoration of the Standards of Care, the expansion of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) through a multi-year $12.5 million CDC initiative, the launch of the Institute of Learning (IOL), establishment of the Leapfrog initiative to recognize quality care hospital systems for people with diabetes, and leading the association with innovation at the ADA Scientific Sessions and with the ADA’s Innovation Challenge.

References

Desroches, S., et al. (2013). “Barriers and facilitators to dietary advice provision by physicians: A review of the literature.” Patient Education and Counseling, 91(1), 36-44.

Franz, M. J., et al. (2010). “The evidence for medical nutrition therapy for type 1 and type 2 diabetes in adults.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 110(12), 1852-1889.

Anderson, G. (2010). “Chronic Care: Making the Case for Ongoing Care.” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Wadden, T. A., et al. (2011). “One-year weight losses in the Look AHEAD study: factors associated with success.” Obesity, 19(5), 1234-1238.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many communities in Western North Carolina faced significant challenges. Recognizing the vital role that women-owned businesses play in the local economy, Ginger Frank of Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn, Allison Blake & Elisa Van Arnam of SoulKu, and Meg Ragland of Plum Print jumped to action to strategize a game plan to provide financial support to the countless businesses impacted by the storm.

Together, they formed WE ARE—The Women Entrepreneurs Asheville Recovery Endeavor. Partnering with Asheville-based HATCH Innovation Hub, they are able to offer tax-deductible corporate sponsorships and donations. Through these contributions and a raffle of remarkable Asheville-made products, experiences, and stays, multiple grants and mentorship opportunities have emerged to support women whose dreams of business ownership have been disrupted by this tragedy.

Aeroflow Answers The Call

When Aeroflow’s leadership team heard of this incredible initiative, they jumped to action to help provide funds to this effort. As Casey Hite, CEO at Aeroflow Health often says, “We believe in supporting the communities where we live and work.”

“Aeroflow came at the most beautiful time. There was an individual that was willing to donate $25K if we could secure a match. Aeroflow’s donation allowed us to raise $75,000,” says Allison Blake, CEO and Co-founder of Soulku. “Their commitment to rebuilding and supporting our community, specifically women owned businesses that historically receive less funding, will have a lasting impact for decades to come. They were a beacon of light in a very challenging time and will continue to shine as they watch these women come back stronger than ever.“

Supporting Local Businesses: Making a Difference

The funds provided by Aeroflow Health have already made a significant impact on several local businesses, including:

Smiling Hara Tempeh: This local Appalachia producer of organic tempeh faced significant challenges due to the storm, impacting their production and distribution. With the support of the grant, Smiling Hara Tempeh was able to pay rent and wages for their facility and employees and will help ensure future community access to their delicious and nutritious products.

“Wow, this grant came unexpectedly and was received with big emotions as we have been facing some harsh realities after the storm. What a relief to have this support and be able to pay rent and our extremely dedicated staff. This will allow us to continue forward in our mission of providing fresh, high quality tempeh to Asheville and surrounding areas.”

Sarah Yancey

Co-Founder, Smiling Hara Tempeh

Montgomery Sky Farms: This family-owned farm suffered significant damage to their crops and infrastructure. The grant provided crucial support for the farm’s recovery, allowing them to continue providing fresh, locally grown produce to the community.

"This grant is not just financial assistance; it is a testament to our resilience and dedication to sustainable agriculture in WNC. With this funding, we are committed to restoring our farm and continuing to serve our community with the quality and passion that defines Montgomery Sky Farm. We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our farm operations and the local community. Thank you, WE ARE, for believing in us."

Fran Montgomery

Owner & CEO

Deer Valley Athletic Club: This fitness center in Boone, NC sustained significant damage to its facilities, impacting its ability to serve its members. The grant enabled the club to make necessary repairs, ensuring continued access to health and wellness resources for the community.

“I am absolutely blown over by the generosity of WE ARE and those who have contributed to the $50,000 grant I received. I have spent the past four years, updating the aesthetics, replacing most of the key infrastructure components and most importantly, revitalized the essence of what Deer Valley is supposed to be for our members and guests. We had just completed the last of the major updates when the disaster hit. Our outdoor areas were devastated. This grant is allowing us to revitalize our outdoor courts, sheds and pools. I cannot thank you enough!"

Halle Pilkington

Owner of Deer Valley Athletic Club

Asheville Print Studio + Gallery: This local printing company housed in the heart of the River Arts District faced significant disruptions to its operations due to the storm. The grant is helping them get back on their feet and hopefully soon reopen to the public.

“The We ARE check means the world to us! The [money] from your organization will enable us (my studio & business partner Anna Bryant) to start a proper screen printing set up in our new studio. -something that was cobbled together prior to the storm which includes a wash out booth, UV box, inks, squeegees and screens so we may offer classes to the community as well as engage in advertising both locally, nationally and internationally. In addition, we will use the grant for tech support to upgrade our website and rebrand the business. We are so excited to get our sleeves rolled up and get started!"

Denise Markbreit

Founder of Asheville Print Studios

How You Can Help

To continue this vital work, WE ARE must raise $50,000 by the end of March. Every donation—big or small—will be matched, effectively doubling the support available for women-owned businesses that are still recovering.

To learn more about how you can make an impact and give back to women-owned businesses impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene, check out the link below:

Joy is the Senior Content Coordinator at Aeroflow Health. With over a decade of experience in bringing brand stories to life, Joy has a profound appreciation for the power of storytelling.

Written by Joy Payne, Senior Content Coordinator at Aeroflow Health
This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Amanda Minimi, VP of Health Solution Marketing & Operations at Aeroflow Health.

The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving. Patients today demand more than just treatment; they seek comprehensive, integrated care that addresses their unique needs. Aeroflow Health is at the forefront of this transformation—providing innovative, patient-centered durable medical equipment (DME) solutions that bridge care gaps.

A Commitment to Excellence

Aeroflow Health’s dedication to providing exceptional care is reflected in our outstanding Net Promoter Score of 81 to more than 126 million covered lives and over 27,000 5-star Google reviews. These accolades highlight our commitment to patient satisfaction and our ability to deliver high-quality care. Casey Hite, CEO of Aeroflow Health, says, “Even in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, our commitment to excellence remains unwavering. These outstanding ratings reflect our dedication to exceptional care and exceeding patient and partner expectations.”

Integrative Care: A Holistic Approach

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines integrated care (or integrated health services delivery) as:

“An approach to strengthen people-centered health systems through the promotion of the comprehensive delivery of quality services across the life-course, designed according to the multidimensional needs of the population and the individual and delivered by a coordinated multidisciplinary team of providers working across settings and levels of care. It should be effectively managed to ensure optimal outcomes and the appropriate use of resources based on the best available evidence, with feedback loops to continuously improve performance and to tackle upstream causes of ill health and to promote well-being through intersectoral and multisectoral actions.”

As healthcare systems become more complex, integrated care solutions offer a simplified approach to managing multiple health conditions. We can improve efficiency and reduce fragmentation by coordinating care across different providers and services.

Aeroflow’s Integrative Care Solutions

Aeroflow offers a range of comprehensive and integrated solutions that address diverse healthcare needs while embracing technology and data-driven insights.

Aeroflow Breastpumps: With 42% of mothers in the U.S. seeking support through this solution and 13,000+ 5-star Google Reviews, Aeroflow Breastpumps specializes in helping moms receive the very best medical equipment, supplies, and resources for each unique stage of motherhood for little to no cost through insurance. On top of providing essentials like breast pumps, Aeroflow wraps their arms around moms from the first notification of pregnancy all the way through the postpartum period to provide care in the form of baby care classes, lactation support, birth planning, mental health support and more.
Aeroflow Sleep: An estimated 80 million people worldwide are affected by sleep apnea. Aeroflow Sleep is proud to be trusted for years by patients, health plans, and physicians to provide CPAP equipment and supplies through insurance. With a 4.8 Google rating, our mission is to help patients sleep well and live better by integrating technology like face mask fitting, remote patient set-ups and the respiratory therapy needed to easily navigate the sleep apnea journey.
Aeroflow Urology: With a 97% patient retention rate and a 4.9 Google rating, Aeroflow Urology helps adults and children obtain the bladder and bowel incontinence products & catheters they need through their insurance benefits. At every turn, patients are taken care of by Continence Care Specialists, who are dedicated insurance experts who ensure patients stay engaged with their benefits and are provided personalized support every step of the way. Working directly with more than 1,000 insurance providers, we simplify the eligibility process and even proactively notify patients of any changes or disruptions in their insurance coverage, helping them take necessary steps to maintain uninterrupted access to their supplies.
Aeroflow Diabetes Empowers diabetes patients to optimize their health through nutritional counseling and to obtain the continuous glucose monitoring supplies they need through their insurance benefits. By providing real-time data via continuous glucose monitors, we provide patients with a simple way to always be aware of their glucose levels and proactively manage their glycemic patterns. We also provide healthcare providers with the data needed to prescribe the best course of treatment for every individual.
Aeroflow Nutrition Services: Aeroflow Health is dedicated to empowering individuals with the tools and education to lead healthier lives through integrative nutrition solutions. Our Nutrition Services extend comprehensive care to address dietary needs at every stage of life, focusing on managing chronic conditions and promoting overall wellness. By integrating Nutrition Services into our comprehensive care approach, Aeroflow transforms how individuals approach health and wellness, aligning with our belief in “Food as Medicine” and advancing our vision of creating a healthier future for all.

By combining these services, Aeroflow creates a holistic approach to integrative health care, addressing multiple patient needs and improving overall patient satisfaction and outcomes.

Partnering for a Healthier Future

Aeroflow is proud to partner with health plans and physicians to improve patient care and reduce costs. Our data-driven approach allows us to identify trends, optimize resource allocation, and enhance patient engagement. By addressing critical care gaps, such as access to breast pumps and diabetes supplies, we help health plans improve STAR ratings, decrease HEDIS care gaps, and increase overall member satisfaction.

With a shared vision of improving patient lives, Aeroflow and our partners can work together to create a healthier future. We can overcome challenges and deliver exceptional patient experiences by embracing integrative care and leveraging technology.

“Truly wonderful people and company. We’ve been receiving supplies every month with no issue for over a year now. I reordered on a Sunday and got an email that insurance would have to authorize this order, so it may be delayed. Still, within minutes, it was authorized, and supplies were shipped. On a Sunday! I am so impressed with how fast Aeroflow is. Everyone I’ve ever talked to is extremely kind as well. Thank you Aeroflow”!
– Sarah, Aeroflow Urology Patient

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We can overcome challenges and deliver exceptional patient experiences by embracing integrative care and leveraging technology, together. Schedule time to chat with us.

References:

WHO: Strengthening people-centered health systems in the WHO European Region: Framework for action on integrated health services delivery WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2016.

To learn more on Aeroflow’s approach to Integrative Care, please follow our LinkedIn Company page.

Written by Joy Payne

Joy is the Senior Content Coordinator at Aeroflow Health. With over a decade of experience in bringing brand stories to life, Joy has a profound appreciation for the power of storytelling.

As a graduate of Western Carolina University with a bachelor's degree in English: Professional Writing, Joy has actively contributed to various publications, including Grit & Virtue, AdventHealth's Experience Magazine, and Thryve Mag. Through her work, she has demonstrated a keen eye for expressing unique perspectives that resonate with audiences and elevate brand voices.

Written by Kristin Polson, Aeroflow Health

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Sophie Lauver, Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Aeroflow Health

Introduction

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a vital component in managing chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. MNT involves evidence-based dietary counseling provided by registered dietitians (RDs), aiming to improve overall health and quality of life by addressing individual nutritional needs. This blog will guide you on how to find a qualified MNT provider, ensuring you receive the care you need for better health outcomes.

Finding an MNT Provider

1. Healthcare Provider Referral

One of the most common ways to find a qualified MNT provider is through your doctor. Request a referral to a registered dietitian (RD) who specializes in MNT. Many healthcare providers collaborate with dietitians to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Medicare, for example, covers MNT for patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease under Part B, but a doctor’s referral is required.

2. Insurance Provider Directory

Another essential step is to check your insurance provider’s directory for in-network MNT providers. Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, provide coverage for MNT services, but working with an in-network RD helps minimize out-of-pocket costs. You can find a list of participating dietitians through your insurance company’s website or by calling their customer service.

3. Online Directories

For a broader search, online directories are available to help locate qualified dietitians. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers a tool called Find an RD that allows you to search for credentialed dietitians by location and specialty. This platform provides contact information, specialties, and service details of licensed dietitians.

4. Local Hospitals or Clinics

Many hospitals and community clinics offer MNT services either through in-house RDs or by referring you to partnered dietitians. Contact your local healthcare facility and ask if they offer MNT or can provide a referral to a qualified professional in your area. Hospitals are often a reliable source for finding dietitians specializing in chronic disease management.

Factors Affecting Access to MNT

1. Geographic Location

Access to MNT services can vary widely depending on where you live. In rural areas, you might have fewer options for in-person MNT services due to limited healthcare resources. However, telehealth services can help bridge this gap, offering virtual MNT consultations from the comfort of your home.

2. Insurance Coverage

Not all insurance plans cover MNT equally. While Medicare provides coverage for certain conditions like diabetes and kidney disease, other conditions, such as obesity or cardiovascular disease, might not be covered by all plans. Check your insurance policy to understand what MNT services are available and any requirements like referrals or prior authorizations. Also look into the availability of preventative healthcare benefits for plans that follow the Affordable Care Act without a patient cost-share, allowing patients greater access to vital services for disease prevention, like MNT.

3. Payor Requirements

Insurance plans, including Medicare and private insurers, may have specific requirements before approving MNT services. For example, you may need a referral from a healthcare provider or a confirmed diagnosis of a condition that qualifies for MNT coverage.

Telehealth MNT Services

Telehealth is becoming an increasingly popular way to access MNT, especially for those living in remote or underserved areas. Virtual consultations with registered dietitians allow patients to receive expert dietary advice without the need for travel. To find telehealth MNT providers, check your insurance directory or explore online platforms like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Find an RD tool, which offers telehealth options for many dietitians.

Tips for Choosing an MNT Provider

1. Credentials

Ensure that the provider is a registered dietitian (RD) with specialized training in Medical Nutrition Therapy. This credential ensures they have the expertise to create tailored nutrition plans for managing chronic diseases.

2. Experience

Look for dietitians with experience in managing your specific condition. For example, if you are seeking MNT for diabetes, working with a dietitian who specializes in diabetes care ensures you receive the best possible advice.

3. Communication Style

It’s crucial to work with a provider who communicates clearly and with whom you feel comfortable. Nutrition counseling is a collaborative process, and having a good rapport with your dietitian will lead to better outcomes.

4. Insurance Coverage

Always verify that the provider accepts your insurance plan to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Working with an in-network RD can significantly reduce costs.

Conclusion

Finding a qualified MNT provider is crucial to managing chronic diseases effectively. By following these steps—seeking a healthcare provider referral, using insurance and online directories, considering telehealth options, and selecting a qualified, experienced dietitian—you can find the right professional to help you on your health journey. Medical Nutrition Therapy can improve your health outcomes and quality of life, so take proactive steps today to find the care that best suits your needs.

Sources:

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Written by Kristin Polson, Aeroflow Health

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Sophie Lauver, Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Aeroflow Health

Introduction

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) plays a crucial role in managing chronic diseases by providing personalized nutrition plans to improve overall health outcomes. For individuals dealing with conditions like diabetes or chronic kidney disease, MNT helps to control symptoms and prevent further complications. This blog explores whether Medicare covers MNT and how beneficiaries can access this important service.

Medicare Coverage for MNT

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Medicare Part A typically covers Medical Nutrition Therapy during inpatient hospital stays. If you are hospitalized and require MNT as part of your treatment for a chronic condition, Medicare Part A may cover the costs of these services, provided that they are administered by a registered dietitian (RD) or qualified healthcare professional. This is especially common for patients recovering from surgery or managing complications related to diabetes or kidney disease.

Registered Dietitians (RDs) in Hospitals: During your stay in the hospital, a registered dietitian may be part of your care team. They will help you manage your diet and provide essential education on how proper nutrition can aid in recovery and long-term disease management.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

Medicare Part B covers outpatient MNT services. To be eligible, you must have a referral from your doctor, and MNT must be deemed necessary for managing specific chronic conditions. Coverage typically applies to the following health issues:

Diabetes: Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are qualifying conditions for MNT under Medicare Part B.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Patients with CKD or those who have had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months may also qualify for MNT.
Other conditions: While diabetes and CKD are the most common conditions covered, some patients with cardiovascular diseases may also receive MNT services, though coverage might vary. (Home | Explore Medicare)

Under Part B, Medicare typically covers up to three hours of MNT counseling in the first year and two hours in subsequent years. If your health condition changes, or if your doctor determines that additional counseling is needed, you may be eligible for more hours.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer an alternative way to access MNT, often providing additional benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers. Many plans integrate MNT services with wellness programs, health coaching, and disease management tools.

If you need long-term MNT or have a health condition not covered by Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan may offer expanded benefits.

Requirements for MNT Coverage

To ensure Medicare covers your MNT services, certain requirements must be met:

Referral from a Doctor

You must have a referral from your doctor (MD or DO) for MNT services. This referral is essential to demonstrate that MNT is medically necessary for managing your condition.

Diagnosis of a Qualifying Condition

Medicare Part B primarily covers MNT for patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Your doctor will need to confirm that you have a qualifying condition to receive coverage.

Registered Dietitian (RD) Services

To qualify for coverage, the MNT services must be provided by a registered dietitian or a licensed nutritionist. These professionals are trained to develop personalized nutrition plans that cater to your individual health needs, ensuring better disease management.

Additional Considerations

Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs)

It’s important to note that MNT coverage may vary based on Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs). These are rules set by local Medicare contractors that specify how certain services are covered in specific regions. Check with your local Medicare office or the official Medicare website to learn about LCDs in your area.

Appealing Denials

If Medicare denies coverage for your MNT services, you have the right to appeal the decision. This process typically involves working with your doctor and providing additional information to show that the therapy is necessary for managing your health condition.

Cost-Sharing

While Medicare covers most of the cost of MNT services, there may still be some out-of-pocket expenses, such as copayments or deductibles. It’s important to review your Medicare plan details to understand any potential cost-sharing responsibilities.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Medicare generally does not cover complementary or alternative therapies related to nutrition, such as herbal supplements or naturopathic consultations. However, some Medicare Advantage plans may offer wellness benefits that include such services.

Conclusion

Medicare offers comprehensive coverage for Medical Nutrition Therapy under specific conditions, such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Whether you are enrolled in Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, MNT is a valuable service that can help manage chronic conditions, improve your health, and lower healthcare costs.

If you think you could benefit from MNT, speak with your doctor about obtaining a referral and check with your Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan to see what services are covered. MNT is not just a treatment; it’s an important preventive strategy that can greatly enhance your quality of life.

For more details on Medicare’s coverage of MNT, you can explore additional resources from MedicareFAQ and Medigap.com(MedicareFAQ)(Medigap.com).

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References:

https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/medical-nutrition-therapy-services

https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/ncd.aspx?ncdid=252

https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-covered-services/preventive-services/medical-nutrition-therapy

https://www.medicarefaq.com/faqs/does-medicare-cover-medical-nutritional-therapy/

https://www.medigap.com/faqs/medicare-coverage-for-medical-nutrition-therapy/

Written by Kristin Polson, Aeroflow Health

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Sophie Lauver, Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Aeroflow Health

Introduction

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a therapeutic approach to treating medical conditions and their associated symptoms through a tailored diet, administered by a Registered Dietitian (RD). MNT plays a crucial role in managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity by addressing the root causes of poor health through nutrition. In addition to managing existing conditions, MNT is a powerful preventive care strategy that promotes long-term health and helps prevent the onset of many chronic diseases.

The Benefits of MNT

MNT has been proven to be effective in addressing a wide range of health conditions. For patients with diabetes, MNT helps control blood glucose levels, while for those with heart disease, it can focus on reducing cholesterol and managing blood pressure. Patients who are overweight or obese benefit from weight management strategies that promote sustainable lifestyle changes. Research shows that MNT can significantly reduce the risk of complications, improve overall health outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for individuals managing chronic conditions.

Medical Nutrition Therapy For Diabetes

MNT is essential for people with diabetes, as it involves personalized dietary planning and guidance from a registered dietitian to manage blood glucose levels and overall health. MNT helps individuals learn how foods impact their blood sugar, allowing them to make informed choices about carbohydrate intake, portion control, and meal timing, all crucial for maintaining stable blood glucose levels. Research has shown that MNT can significantly reduce A1C levels in patients with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, which lowers the risk of complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage. Additionally, MNT promotes weight management and a healthier lifestyle, further improving insulin sensitivity and metabolic health for those living with diabetes. By following a eating plan tailored to their individual health needs, patients are empowered to take control of their diabetes management, often reducing their reliance on medications and lowering long-term healthcare costs.

Moreover, MNT offers significant cost savings for both patients and the healthcare system by reducing emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and long-term healthcare expenditures. Proper management of chronic diseases through diet can lead to better disease outcomes, minimizing the need for costly interventions down the road.

Additional Potential Benefits

Reduced blood glucose/A1C
Weight loss
Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
Reduced cholesterol
Reduced blood pressure
More energy
Increased confidence

The Role of Registered Dietitians (RDs)

Registered Dietitians are highly qualified healthcare professionals specializing in nutrition and dietetics. They are certified to provide MNT and have the expertise to assess individual dietary needs, medical history, and lifestyle factors to create a personalized nutrition plan. Despite misconceptions, RDs are much more than “nutritionists.” They undergo rigorous education, clinical training, and certification to provide effective and evidence-based care.

RDs play a pivotal role in debunking myths about restrictive diets and negative perceptions about healthy eating. They offer tailored solutions for each patient’s unique health condition, empowering them to make informed decisions that lead to better health outcomes. Working with an RD ensures patients receive expert care that aligns with their medical needs and health goals.

MNT as a Preventive Care Strategy

Preventive care is an essential aspect of reducing the burden of chronic diseases, and MNT is an effective tool in achieving this. By addressing nutritional deficiencies early and promoting healthy eating habits, MNT helps to prevent the development of diseases like diabetes and heart disease. For example, an RD might work with a patient at risk for diabetes to adopt a balanced diet that controls blood sugar, reducing their likelihood of developing the disease.

Over the long term, MNT can lead to improved health outcomes and lower healthcare costs, as patients who maintain good nutrition are less likely to develop costly chronic conditions. This preventive approach not only benefits the patient but also alleviates strain on the healthcare system.

Incorporating MNT into Health Plans

Offering MNT as part of a comprehensive health plan can fill critical gaps in care. Many physicians do not have the time or level of expertise to understand the dietary patterns of their patients. Health plans that incorporate MNT can expect improved member satisfaction due to better disease management, healthier outcomes, and increased engagement in personal health. MNT also addresses common care gaps by providing an ongoing, holistic approach to managing chronic diseases, rather than relying solely on medication or surgery.

When selecting MNT providers, health plans should look for qualified Registered Dietitians who can integrate MNT services with other aspects of care. Streamlining MNT into existing offerings can help create a cohesive healthcare experience for members.

Conclusion

Medical Nutrition Therapy is a powerful tool in preventive care and chronic disease management. By addressing the root causes of poor nutrition and promoting healthier lifestyles, MNT can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare costs. For health plans, incorporating MNT services offers a way to provide comprehensive care, improve patient satisfaction, and fill gaps in chronic disease management. MNT should be a key component of any forward-thinking healthcare strategy focused on long-term patient well-being.

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This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, Chief Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Health.

The Society for Women’s Health Research estimates that 1 out of every 5 women has sleep apnea. The majority—9 out of 10—are unaware of their condition and their increased risk for serious health conditions. Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “Why Addressing Sleep Health In Women Matters,” to delve into the multifaceted aspects of sleep health, with a particular focus on understanding and addressing the challenges faced by women. For more comprehensive insights, you can watch a playback of the webinar here.

Is sleep apnea a different disease in women than in men? Does the interpretation of symptoms differ in women compared to men?

Dr. Matsumura: According to a recent study by Psychology Today, 1 in 4 women is at high risk for sleep apnea, and 90% of women living with a sleep-disordered breathing disorder are undiagnosed. Sleep apnea definitely does present differently in women than it does in men. Women tend to have disrupted sleep; they may have more fragmented sleep and generally feel more fatigued. They don’t generally have the snoring or as many apneas. In turn, when women present with sleep apnea diagnostically on tests, they tend to have more arousals than oxygen desaturations, which is one of the ways that we score and interpret sleep studies.

Data shows that as we get older, the prevalence rates for sleep apnea tend to go up. There is still a disparity in the difference of the prevalence of sleep apnea among men and women by age group. Why do we see this as people get older?

Dr. Weiss: This is a very important point from the research perspective because we know that changes in the prevalence and the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in women as they get older are likely sex hormone dependent. So, post-menopausal women are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea due to changes in estrogen and progesterone. Also, we see changes in the anatomical position of the airway in women as they age and enter different stages of life. For example, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause all affect sleep in women differently and sometimes can cause obstructive sleep apnea. Just like Dr. Matsumura said, the symptoms in these scenarios are not typical or what you would call “textbook” obstructive sleep apnea.

If the signs of sleep apnea in women are different in that they are more likely to have mild instead of moderate to severe sleep apnea, does this impact their ability to access PAP devices and/or other therapies? How do health plan coverage policies account for the differences in the way symptoms of sleep apnea in women present themselves compared to men?

Dr. Plenzler: If we really think about what health plans and their vendor partners do in terms of approving home studies or attending studies, the guidelines typically filter down from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which is Medicare. CMS, Local Coverage Decisions (LCDs), and National Coverage Decisions (NCDs) are fed by the AASM and others, but the LCDs and NCDs are old; they are 10-15 years old, and in my opinion, they’ve not kept up with the times. LCDs and NCDs determine what CMS will or will not cover under insurance. Ultimately, the use of the LCD is more appropriate for given areas based on who their overarching management company is, but that dictates how many units of CPAP are paid for, how much is paid for CPAP masks, sleep studies, oxygen, and more. This is an issue. Then, the second piece, back to Dr. Matsumura’s point about clinical judgment, a female that comes in with insomnia and restless legs on the screen but is more obese or is more likely to have sleep apnea, frankly, a home study may be more appropriate but if they aren’t obese or if they don’t have the presentation that a home study would be more appropriate, then maybe an attended study would be better. We don’t have the delineation in the guidelines for these types of scenarios yet.

Dr. Weiss: To add to that, as we’ve said before, symptoms in women aren’t always presenting the same as they would in men. The screening tools we have available may not be able to capture those atypical symptoms. Looking at different ethnicities is also important to note. There are anatomical and cultural differences to consider. For example, African Americans and Asians with differing anatomy for breathing upper airways like the nose and neck can present different symptoms than others, especially postmenopausal.

What changes, if any, should health plans consider to their coverage policies to make them more equitable for women?

Dr. Plenzler: So, we’ve already mentioned that the one-size-fits-all approach to CPAP masks needs to be reconsidered and that the coverage guidelines need to take a look into the latest research around the differences in people diagnosed with sleep apnea. I know that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine is always looking at its guidelines and has practice parameters and work groups for making updates, but I don’t think it always translates fast enough. Sadly, CMS is even slower. I think at the end of the day, the way PAP policies read today, there’s a pretty wide spectrum. If you have at least mild sleep apnea and other symptoms, there are ways to get PAP coverage. In terms of coverage, as long as the health plan covers PAP and the patient meets the guidelines, the PAP is covered. However, we also know that adherence to therapy is highly dependent on many factors. Generally speaking, the more severe the sleep apnea, the more compliant a patient is. Milder symptom patients typically struggle more with compliance. As far as the coverage guidelines and payment models, I would like to see some kind of coverage for supporting PAP use. There used to be a code for this, but it went away. The idea is that these PAP machines have tons of technology. They download data that nobody else in medicine can dream of, but we don’t do much with it other than look at how many hours it was used. I’d love for data like flow limitations to be reported. Long story short, I think change is coming, but it is painfully slow.

As you think about the challenges of managing sleep apnea in women, what gives you hope for the future, and what keeps you up at night and fearful that things are not changing?

Dr. Weiss: Seeing the diverse workforce in the research and clinical settings is giving me hope right now. They are driving the change as they look more into gender-specific and racial ethnicity-specific questions related to sleep. What keeps me up at night is the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and how this impacts access to healthcare.

Dr. Plenzler: The hopeful piece for me is the increased awareness and knowledge. As we move towards value-based care and really have payment models focused on outcomes, the huge glaring hole in that piece of the puzzle is this topic of sleep, which we spend a third of our life doing. It’s very overlooked right now, and this plays into what’s keeping me up at night. The other part of my fear is that health plans are laser-focused on saving money and aren’t placing enough value on sleep. We have to have a better understanding of the value of sleep and how it impacts all aspects of health.

Dr. Matsumura: What is giving me hope is that there is more awareness. For instance, these types of webinars are where we are educating people. There are more women in healthcare as well, and as they age, they ask questions that lead to an explosion of deeper research. What keeps me awake at night is the lack of action to move and do something about all of the awareness and knowledge. It’s moving at a glacial pace. It’s not happening fast enough. As I age, I wonder if by the time I am at the end of my bell-curve is when this change will actually happen. There is a level of dismay and hope here. The issue is that insurance companies play too big of a role in making these types of decisions, and the country has lost its focus on what actually matters when taking care of people. Insurance companies have such a stronghold dictating decisions in healthcare and what happens. The premise around developing guidelines is excellent in theory, but how it’s being practiced right now is not helpful.

To learn more about Aeroflow Health’s Sleep Solutions, click the button below.

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Michael Cantor, M.D.

Dr. Mike Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney who has extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He works as a fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Healthcare, Uber Health, and other technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations and digital health companies. Previous roles include: CMO for Bright Health Plan, an innovative health
insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post- acute care benefits manager recently acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

Carleara Weiss, Ph.D., MS, RN - Scientific Advisor at Aeroflow Sleep

Dr. Weiss has over fifteen years of experience as an Adult-Geriatric Nurse Specialist, with a Master's in Science of Health Care and a Ph.D. in Nursing, focusing on Behavioral Sleep Medicine and Circadian Rhythms. Originally from Brazil, Dr. Weiss earned a Bachelor's in Nursing Science and a Bachelor's in Education and completed her medical-surgical & geriatric training and Master's degree at the Federal Fluminense University, Rio de Janeiro. After eight years as Assistant Professor and Clinician overseeing adults and older adults in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and private practice, Dr. Weiss moved to the United States, where she earned a Ph.D. and Postdoctoral training in sleep and circadian rhythms at the State University of New at Buffalo.
With a background in doula services and midwifery, Kiera brings a unique perspective to her position, informing her meticulous approach to managed care. Her responsibilities include negotiating contracts, managing credentialing processes, and fostering strong relationships with health plans, all aimed at optimizing operational workflows and service delivery.

Steven Plenzler, PhD, D, ABSM, Product Management Principal and Sleep Product Owner, Evernorth Home-Based Care

Steven is a dynamic problem solver with a unique healthcare background, dedicated to delivering creative solutions. His goal is to help health plans and other organizations achieve cost savings while ensuring medically necessary procedures and improving care and clinical outcomes for their members. He is passionate about applying scientific evidence for comorbid medical diseases, such as sleep apnea, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, to develop innovative solutions that address these conditions effectively.

Andrea Matsumura, MD, MS, FACP, FAASM Internal Medicine/Sleep Medicine Physician

Andrea Matsumura, MD, MS, FACP, FAASM, attended medical school at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She moved to Portland, Oregon, for her residency in Internal Medicine. She was an Internal Medicine Physician with Northwest Permanente for 13 years before entering her fellowship in Sleep Medicine. She attended Oregon Health and Science University as a fellow in Sleep Medicine and, upon completion of her fellowship, became a partner at The Oregon Clinic in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. During her tenure there, she expanded sleep services by opening up a durable medical equipment service line, a second sleep center, and expanded home sleep services. She has become a sought-after expert on women and sleep. She is currently the Medical Director/Director of Program Development for Cascadia Health in Portland, Oregon. Currently, she is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s (AASM) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee, as well as the AASM’s public awareness task force leader for the Sleep is Good Medicine campaign. In addition, she is a member of the JEDI committee (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) for the OMA (Oregon Medical Association), the goal of which is to review and guide the activities of the OMA through this lens. She is on the executive board of the OMA’s foundation (OMEF), which supports and mentors medical and physician assistant students.
Dr. Matsumura describes herself as a holistic Sleep Medicine physician since the entire mind and body are affected by poor quality or lack of sleep. She enjoys public speaking about all things related to sleep and specifically how sleep apnea symptoms in women pertain to women’s health. She has been a guest speaker for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Providence hospital system, numerous podcasts, and has been quoted in several articles about sleep and wellness. Her passions are working and helping others understand that sleep is the most underutilized elixir of health, raising public awareness, and educating women about their sleep through every stage of life. Sleep is arguably the most underrated performance enhancer for all aspects of life.

References

SleepTest.com. (n.d.). Gender differences in obstructive sleep apnea. https://www.sleeptest.com/blog/post/gender-differences-in-obstructive-sleep-apnea

Michael J. Breus, Ph.D. (2019, June 26). New Findings on Sleep Apnea in Women. Psychology Today. Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201906/new-findings-on-sleep-apnea-in-women#:~:text=An%20estimated%2090%20percent%20of,are%20living%20with%20it%20undiagnosed.&text=The%20classic%20symptoms%20of%20sleep,choking%2C%20snorting%20sounds%20during%20sleep

We’re thrilled to announce that Aeroflow Health has been awarded the prestigious Great Place to Work® Certification, underscoring our commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and empowering workplace culture. This recognition isn’t just a badge – it’s a testament to the heart, drive, and dedication that our team members bring each day. Receiving this certification reflects our unwavering focus on creating an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and motivated.

At Aeroflow, we’ve always understood that our people are at the core of everything we do. “Our team makes Aeroflow what it is, and earning the Great Place to Work Certification is a proud moment that truly belongs to each of them.” says Casey Hite, CEO of Aeroflow Health. Aeroflow understands that a great workplace is built from real-time feedback, respect, and a shared commitment to excellence. We strive daily to provide a workplace where team members can thrive, grow, and feel supported. The certification process for Great Place to Work® relies heavily on employee insights and the culture they experience every day. Achieving this honor signifies that our efforts to prioritize employee experience truly resonate across the company.

What the Great Place to Work Certification® Means

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors. This certification is more than a stamp of approval; it represents our team’s unified commitment to creating a culture rooted in collaboration, trust, and opportunity. As Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place to Work®, shares, “Great Place to Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience. By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Aeroflow Health stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”

This certification speaks to our employees’ high regard for Aeroflow as a workplace that values their well-being, fosters growth, and empowers everyone to contribute meaningfully. According to Great Place to Work research, employees at certified workplaces are twice as likely to be paid fairly, share in the company’s success, and have a fair chance at advancement. They’re also 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work each day. Earlier this year, Aeroflow Health announced its Family Forward NC Certification that further speaks to Aeroflow’s dedication to its employees’ parenting journeys, a healthy work-life balance, and family-friendly workspaces.

According to Marshall Staton, Director of Human Resources at Aeroflow, “As an organization, we believe that creating a meaningful workplace culture begins with listening to our people and fostering an environment where every team member feels valued and empowered to thrive. Achieving the Great Place to Work Certification is a testament to our employees’ dedication to one another and our leadership’s commitment to making Aeroflow a place where everyone has the opportunity to grow, succeed, and truly enjoy their work. We’re proud of this accomplishment and are inspired to keep elevating the employee experience each day.”

"As an organization, we believe that creating a meaningful workplace culture begins with listening to our people and fostering an environment where every team member feels valued and empowered to thrive. Achieving the Great Place to Work Certification is a testament to our employees' dedication to one another and our leadership's commitment to making Aeroflow a place where everyone has the opportunity to grow, succeed, and truly enjoy their work. We’re proud of this accomplishment and are inspired to keep elevating the employee experience each day."
Marshall Staton

A Culture of Innovation and Employee Engagement

From competitive benefits to career growth opportunities and a collaborative atmosphere, Aeroflow is committed to listening to our team members and taking actionable steps to support their personal and professional growth. This certification validates the impact of our core values and strengthens our resolve to improve our culture and workplace experience continuously.

Our achievements, including this recognition, would not be possible without the incredible contributions of each Aeroflow team member. Every employee, from each department and every level, has played a role in shaping a culture that enables us to make a lasting impact on our patients and community.

Looking Forward

We are excited to build on this momentum and continue prioritizing our employee experience. We invite those looking to grow with a supportive, innovative, and committed team to consider joining us.

Are you ready to be part of a team where people matter? Look at our career page to learn more about open positions at Aeroflow and join a workplace where culture and collaboration truly come first.

For those interested in learning more about our Great Place to Work Certification, check out more details here.

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Written by Joy Payne

Joy is the Senior Content Coordinator at Aeroflow Health. With over a decade of experience in bringing brand stories to life, Joy has a profound appreciation for the power of storytelling.

Written by Casey Hite, CEO at Aeroflow Health

At Aeroflow Health, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are foundational principles that guide our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves. DEI is more than just a strategy for us—it’s woven into the fabric of our company culture, where the voices of all employees, especially those from marginalized groups, are heard and supported. Our goal is to ensure that every individual feels safe and supported to bring their true selves to work every day. DEI isn’t just a policy; it’s a promise to our people. According to Marshall Staton, Director of Human Resources at Aeroflow Health, “Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) were a vital addition to our DEI strategy because they create spaces where individuals with shared backgrounds and experiences can connect, foster belonging, and amplify underrepresented voices. By empowering employees to lead these groups, we aimed to build a more inclusive workplace, where diverse perspectives are not only heard but valued. Our goal is to ensure every employee feels seen, supported, and able to contribute fully to the success of our organization. Through ERGs, we hope to drive cultural awareness, professional development, and a sense of community across all levels of the company.”

Creating an Inclusive Workplace

Aeroflow’s inclusive culture is built on a commitment to ensuring that all employees feel a sense of belonging. One of the ways we’ve embraced this commitment is through our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). For example, Out Health, one of our six ERGs plays a critical role in giving a voice to those who may otherwise feel unheard. These groups provide not only a safe space for employees to express themselves but also a direct line to leadership to address key issues. Kathleen Burke, Senior Customer Experience Representative for Aeroflow’s Mom & Baby team, says “ERGs are a benefit that most companies probably would not even think about. But I think it’s great because it encourages a community feeling when we are working remotely.”

Through Aeroflow Health’s ERGs, Aeroflow employees are empowered to be their true selves. Whether by addressing discriminatory incidents or shaping policies to protect employees, Aeroflow is creating a culture where authenticity is celebrated. ERGs like Out Health are actively collaborating with other company ERGs to tackle important issues, such as mental health, LGBTQ+ parenting, and neurodivergence, demonstrating how these groups work together to uplift the entire workforce.

The Impact of DEI Initiatives in Healthcare

Aeroflow’s DEI initiatives have had a significant impact on employee satisfaction and engagement. Employees who participate in ERGs and DEI efforts report feeling more connected and supported within the company. For many, being able to bring their full selves to work has fostered not only a sense of belonging but also increased professional confidence.

“Being a part of Out Health has truly been transformative for me,” shares Mike Edwards, Customer Account Representative for Aeroflow Urology. “Aeroflow has empowered me to be an out, gay male at work, and with the support of my ERG, I’ve been able to help lead initiatives that make sure everyone has a voice. Knowing that I can be myself and that Aeroflow stands behind me is a feeling I wish everyone could experience.”

In addition, Aeroflow’s DEI initiatives have also driven meaningful policy changes. For example, after addressing issues of discrimination, Aeroflow is now working with HR to create standardized anti-discrimination procedures across all departments. This codification ensures that all employees are protected, supported, and treated fairly, reinforcing our culture of inclusivity.

Challenges and Opportunities

Like any organization, Aeroflow faces challenges in implementing DEI initiatives. Mike Edwards shares, “People can sometimes be hesitant to embrace change, especially when other companies are scaling back on their DEI efforts. However, the commitment from our leadership, particularly Casey Hite’s active participation in ERG meetings, reassures everyone that this work is here to stay and is vital to our success.”

One of the biggest challenges faced by ERGs like Out Health is addressing the fear of coming out professionally or being perceived as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Aeroflow is working to address these concerns by creating a visible, safe, and welcoming space for all employees, whether they are members of the LGBTQ+ community or allies.

Fostering a Future of DEI in Healthcare

Aeroflow Health remains deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone can be their authentic selves. We recognize the importance of DEI not only for individual success but for the success of the organization as a whole. By embracing diversity and creating a supportive environment, we are building a company where everyone is empowered to thrive.

If you’d like to learn more about Aeroflow’s DEI efforts or explore opportunities to join our team, we encourage you to connect with us. Together, we can continue to build a culture of authenticity, belonging, and growth.

As we navigate the difficult aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we are reminded of the strength and compassion that unites us, not just as a company but as a community. The devastation that has impacted Western North Carolina has been profound, but the response from our team members has been nothing short of inspiring.

At Aeroflow Health, we have always prided ourselves on fostering a culture of empathy, integrity, and unwavering support for our patients and partners. In these trying times, that commitment is being demonstrated daily by our incredible employees, many of whom are facing significant challenges in their personal lives. Despite power outages, water shortages, and disrupted living conditions, our team has shown resilience, ensuring that our patients continue to receive the vital medical supplies they depend on.

Here’s a look into how Aeroflow Health is bringing #HopeAfterHelene our our employees, patients and community:

Our Employees

Our employees are the heart of Aeroflow Health, and during this time of crisis, we wanted to make sure to support them just as they support our patients around the clock. In the aftermath of the storm, we were able to confirm that all 600 employees living in the Western North Carolina area were safe; however, 55 of them had lost their homes, cars, and food. Our teams have jumped to action to be able to meet the needs of these impacted employees. Here a few ways Aeroflow has sought to meet these needs:

Secured housing, food, and transportation at no cost for employees in affected areas, so no one has to worry about basic needs during this time.

Aeroflow-sponsored relief pay was offered to employees to alleviate the financial burden caused by the disaster.

Created an employee pantry stocked with essential resources, offering further relief to team members impacted by the storm.

Our remote employees stepped in to cover responsibilities for those who were unable to work, embodying our company’s commitment to teamwork and resilience.

Our Patients

Our priority has always been to ensure that patients receive the care they need, no matter the circumstances. After Hurricane Helene, with the help of our warehouse crew working through the weekend, we rapidly restored our systems to continue providing essential medical supplies to those who depend on us. We also extended our support in the following ways:

Donations of incontinence products to Elevate Health and Swannanoa Valley Pelican Health and Rehab, facilities hit hard by the storm.

Delivery of incontinence products to hurricane victims in Ashe County, ensuring that essential care supplies reached those in dire need.

Manual breast pumps provided to community members affected by the disaster, ensuring new mothers could continue to care for their infants even amid the disruption.

Our Community

While the recovery process is still underway, we are incredibly grateful for the hard work, determination, and sense of responsibility our team has displayed. Personal donations were made to the Asheville Police and Fairview Fire Department to support local first responders in need, some employees used ATV’s to deliver meals, and others led efforts to help secure and deliver insulin. There are countless stories that continue to stream in from our team, but here are a few we want to highlight:

Brianne Griffis, IBCLC, CLC, CD, CLSP, Bri Blackenbicker, RN, IBCLC, and several additional Aeroflow Breastpumps lactation providers, went above and beyond to support moms and babies in areas like Burnsville, Black Mountain, and Marshall, which were impacted by the storm. Whether traveling by horse, fire rescue, or on foot, they truly redefined the phrase “boots on the ground.” In partnership with the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition, they visited sites to organize feeding supplies, conducted breastfeeding consultations, provided rapid-response infant feeding assessments, and educated mothers on safe cleaning of bottles and supplies following CDC guidelines for disaster preparedness.

These dedicated providers made house calls, ran donor breast milk deliveries (essential in power outages since the milk is only good for 24 hours), and offered vital support through welfare checks, assessments, and consultations. Working tirelessly until 7 p.m. each night, they trekked back home, often not arriving until 10 or 11 p.m., only to do it all again the next day.

At Aeroflow, we teach that our goal is to honor a parent’s intuition while offering education and support throughout the parenting journey. Even in the face of adversity, without power, water, or internet, Brianne and the team remained committed to meeting families where they were—offering safe feeding solutions no matter the obstacles.

Brianne says, “Western North Carolina and this deployment has forever changed my life. The devastation and things I saw will not have any words, but I want to highlight the beauty that came out of this. Twin preemies were supported, a 38 week mama could get set up and take a sigh of relief, a 2 week old could be weighed and assessed, just to name a few, families could feel support and resources and safety with safe cleaning supplies. We changed lives. The way this community not only came together but welcomed me and came around for any need was beautiful.”

Asheville resident and Managed Care Associate, Neeka Alami jumped to action to help bring #HopeAfterHelene to her local community. In less than a couple days, she was able to raise $12,650 so far to help buy relief supplies that she and her partner delivered to Fairview, Swannanoa, Candler and other impacted towns!

Neeka says, “The paradox of grief, unity, and love has been profound. After visiting Swannanoa’s wreckage, we saw a rainbow emerge from the wiped out neighborhoods. That moment felt symbolic of our hope to rebuild something even more beautiful together.”

Kiera Walsh, a Charleston, South Carolina employee, knew she had to step up and support moms and babies in need after Hurricane Helene’s destruction. Through a partnership with #OperationWashBox—a relief effort specifically focused on helping moms safely feed their babies in the aftermath of a disaster, she was able to raise $1,065+ to help buy essential items like bottle brushes, wipes, bleach, dish soap, washcloths, and detailed instructions for safely sanitizing feeding supplies even when basic utilities aren’t available.

Kiera says, “I personally delivered these supplies to the Burnsville Fire Department and Lilac Birth Center. Getting boots on the ground was the only way to make sure these donations went directly into the hands of the moms and families who need them most. It’s been incredible to see the community rally together, but there’s still more work to be done.”

These stories are not exhaustive and our teams continue to do outstanding act after outstanding act. To read more about those efforts, click here.

Want To Help Support Western North Carolina?

At Aeroflow, we believe that the true measure of a company is found in how we respond in times of adversity, and our employees, community and patients have demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for empathy, resilience, and integrity. Casey Hite, CEO of Aeroflow Health said it well when he said, “Though the road ahead is long, we are confident that together, we will emerge stronger” in a recent interview with North Carolina Public Radio Station, WUNC.

If you would like to partner with relief efforts in Western North Carolina, here are a few reputable organization to consider:

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM)
Babies Need Bottoms
Diaper Bank of North Carolina
Asheville Angels
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
- If you would like to help with volunteer efforts, please visit: https://www.handsonasheville.org/volunteer-helene/.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for standing with us as we support our team members and communities.

To read more #HopeAfterHelene stories and stay updated on Aeroflow’s response to Hurricane Helene, please follow our LinkedIn Company page.

Written by Joy Payne

Joy is the Senior Content Coordinator at Aeroflow Health. With over a decade of experience in bringing brand stories to life, Joy has a profound appreciation for the power of storytelling.

Written by Casey Hite, CEO at Aeroflow Health

Earlier this month, I was honored to have the opportunity to speak at and be among the sponsors of the Nourish & Nest event hosted by Haywood Street Community Development, a collaborative effort between Cúrate and Chai Pani, featuring Asheville’s renowned chefs Katie Button and Meherwan Irani.

This fundraising event highlighted a cause that is very close to my heart, affordable housing. The money raised at this event will go towards a building project that will consist of 41 deeply affordable rental units in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It is expected to house at least 60 people, with sixteen units of two-bedroom and four units of three-bedroom apartments to best support struggling families.

The intent is to create an atmosphere that speaks of individual worth, to create homes, not just housing. Proper housing is what can make a crucial difference in a child’s ability to learn, have positive friendships, and develop into the best adults they can.

A study by Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry from April 2022 revealed that 184 women and children were on the housing waitlist. In 2020, Western North Carolina had more than 280,000 residents fall into one or more of the “special needs housing” categories. One of those categories is single parent households. These numbers call for action from local organizations and businesses like Aeroflow Health. We need to do our part to help our neighbors. Partnering with Haywood Street Community Development in promoting radical inclusion and providing deeply affordable housing is one way Aeroflow hopes to help transform these statistics.

The project is a public-private-partnership with Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, and Dogwood HealthTrust. I personally want to thank James Beard Chef Katie Button of Cúrate, and James Beard Chef Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani as well as Burial Beer, East Fork, French Broad Chocolate, and Paddle Energy for also being a part of this fundraiser, which brought Haywood Street Community Development closer to its $1 million goal.

For more information, visit https://haywoodstreethousing.org/. There is no reason for homelessness in America and together, we can make a difference in ending it.

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, Chief Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Health.

Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “Breastfeeding & Health Equity Disparities: Innovative Strategies for Health Plan Providers,” to discover how you can play a pivotal role in fostering inclusive healthcare environments and ensuring every mother receives the support she deserves. For more comprehensive insights, don’t miss the chance to watch the webinar playback.

What do lactation consultants and doulas do, and how do their roles differ? What does it look like to be an Aeroflow Health lactation consultant?

Leteace: As a lactation consultant, we’re there to sometimes clarify breastfeeding goals with moms and give them the education and support that they need. We know that with breastfeeding, support is one of the most significant indicators of success and preparedness, so we try to give them a headstart for that and also let them know that we’re there to support them after the baby arrives. Currently, Aeroflow Breastpumps offers both group and 1:1 education sessions for moms. The group sessions seek to help further clarify knowledge on specific topics, and then 1:1 sessions are dedicated to meeting mothers where they are in an individualized format. This could look like helping write a birth plan or providing tailor-made tips and education based on mom’s needs. A recent Aeroflow Breastpumps study that found that 97% of moms who attended our classes felt more confident in their breastfeeding journey.

Aleah: A doula is a non-medical person trained to assist families during childbirth and who might also support the family after the baby is born. Where doulas and lactation consultants differ is that not all doulas will have additional lactation-specific education and training. As far as doula certification, many doulas will take more breastfeeding classes to get basic knowledge but they may not get the full certification to attain the additional tools that help families be successful with breastfeeding initiation and to help with the duration of breastfeeding.

How do commercial insurance plans, typically employer-sponsored, differ from Medicaid programs in terms of providing these maternal health benefits?

Kiera: We’re seeing many differing coverages regarding policies for doulas and lactation consultants. In addition to what Aleah said, Aeroflow stands out when it comes to prenatal education. We help ensure that mom and dad or the parents feel prepared. We are seeing that we have to educate many health plans on the differences between doulas and lactation consultants. It can be easy to misunderstand the differences between the two. With commercial plans, we’re seeing a lot more coverage with doula services and lactation, which is wonderful, and we’re seeing a lot of Medicaid states break into that space as well. We are excited to see many policies really come to terms with the day and age of allowing telehealth services, which is wonderful as well.

As a physician who cares for mothers and babies and partners with Canopie, what opportunities do you see for health plans to better support their members with maternal mental health services, particularly about lactation?

Dr. Haggerty: There is definitely room for improvement in the lactation and mental health space. In my private practice, Fourth Trimester Doc, I focus on caring for dyads as a whole, so we see birthing people and newborns and serve them as a unit. We must identify that the health of the infant is reliant on the health of the birthing person and vice versa. Around the mental health space, I don’t see that health plans are providing the same level of coverage. Many people have cost-sharing requirements, out-of-pocket expenses or have trouble finding care with providers that are well-versed in perinatal education. This is definitely a barrier to care for folks.

Mental health is critical for breastfeeding or body-feeding success, especially when challenges arise. We see that lactation challenges and perinatal mental health disorders go hand in hand. When we have someone who has challenges with lactation, it’s almost inevitable that they will also have challenges with their mental health and vice versa. I actually use lactation challenges for diagnosing or deciding if there are mental health concerns that need to be addressed. For example, if someone has a huge freezer stash of breast milk that they keep storing, this is an indicator for me that there might be postpartum anxiety involved. This is just another reason why lactation and mental health go hand in hand and must be addressed in correlation to one another.

Recently, Aeroflow Health collaborated with Canopie, Florida Blue and GuideWell to better provide access to mental health services and reduce health disparities. Can you explain what we learned?

Ryan: It has been an interesting journey to partner with Canopie and Florida Blue. We’ve seen the evolution of the breastfeeding benefit that initially came about as a part of the Affordable Care Act and has slowly begun to change over the years. We’re starting to see the strides and elements coming together. The breast pump was one of the first items covered under the ACA for health plans and then breast pumps and supplies were introduced alongside the importance of access to clean parts to continue breastfeeding. Then came the introduction of lactation consulting and doulas, which has led to additional positive outcomes. Now, we’re seeing the opportunity to interweave mental health into the benefit. It was interesting in the Florida Blue pilot; we were able to reach many of their members who wouldn’t otherwise engage with their health benefits and then help them engage with maternal mental health resources through Canopie. We also were able to help Florida Blue identify members that were medium to high risk and needed extra support, and then Florida Blue was able to deploy their case management teams to better focus on those members who presented a need.

Based on a recent United States Lactation Consultant Association study, only 21% of IBCLCs identified as non-white. Why is this concerning, and what is a maternity care desert?

Leateace: Great question! Recently, March of Dimes released a report on maternity care deserts across the United States, speaking to how there is a lack of maternity care resources like hospitals, birth centers, and other locations where moms can get support during the perinatal period. Access is genuinely a concern. In terms of providers and diversity, it’s important because patients want to see themselves in their healthcare providers. While cultural humility is a big agenda item right now, it’s also vital to have culturally congruent care, where they feel like their provider is a safe space where they can share their concerns and worries and receive the support that’s specific to them. So, it’s important to try to increase the diversity in this profession.

Aleah: One of the things we love to have, after our classes and consultations, specifically with Aeroflow, we have these surveys that patients can immediately fill out. It’s very helpful to get this feedback. For example, here’s one testimonial from a patient speaking about her experience with Leteace: “The Aeroflow classes have taught me a wide range of information that I did not get from taking classes for my first birth. Leteace consistently had great information to share with the classes I was in and was very knowledgeable about birth and breastfeeding, and I plan to work with her again if and when I schedule another appointment.” These moms are getting the care that they need and are very much coming back for seconds and thirds. They want this help and support via telehealth because they can’t sometimes get it in these maternity care deserts. Sometimes the people that we see in the classes are from small cities where there is 1 hospital and 1 lactation consultant or no consultant at all. Being able to provide that virtual space for these families is so helpful and they deserve to have it.

When you think about the challenges we face in improving maternal health and the health of babies, what gives you hope, and what worries you?

Aleah: As far as what is giving me hope, we are making leaps and bounds on getting more access to these insurance companies that are allowing for more access and support. Part of the challenge that I feel like I have, especially as a person of color, is that we just need to find more avenues to get more people credentialed to be able to help more people because that ultimately affects the rates of differing ethnicities among providers. Leteace and I work so hard to do what we do to show others that it is possible to do what we do. I am hopeful that we are going to continue to make great strides in a positive direction.

Leteace: What gives me hope is that there are still people out there who need help; they never go away. If the hope goes away, then the help goes away. My mind tells me that I have to keep pushing through for these people; it’s not about me, it’s about the bigger goal. We see the maternal health rates in our country and see how people have suffered. On the positive side, we’ve seen more equity scholarships to make access to education easier for those wanting to provide maternal support. We are seeing more baby steps taken towards telehealth, and there’s always hope that these steps become a little bit bigger. Holding onto hope for ourselves is important. We see that what we’re doing is making a difference, whether in the surveys we receive or the face-to-face meetings, and it encourages us to keep moving forward.

Michelle: Hope for me is seeing that so many companies are being so innovative and addressing these issues by connecting and coming together to find solutions. Personally, what keeps me up at night is that I want to move toward an insurance model or coverage that provides holistic dyad care. I think that siloing patients out from each other doesn’t make sense and doesn’t work. This coverage would include lactation, mental health, physical recovery, and newborn care, all of which would be covered by insurance. This model addresses the fact that people need support during this transition time and it’s not just individual things that people need to meet their deductible for and have cost-sharing for; let’s do it as a whole and provide this coverage as a whole unit.

Kiera: What’s really great is Aeroflow is really meant to be that partner for that continuity of care. We’re here to provide care to moms from the moment they find out they are pregnant all the way through postpartum. We’ve made some major strides since this time last year. We’re partnering with Virginia Medicaid, Tennessee Medicaid, and Georgia Medicaid, so the coverage of lactation and doula services are definitely expanding. We really are seeing health plans view the Affordable Care Act as the floor and not the ceiling. We’re seeing health plans truly align their policies, as far as maximum benefits with the affordable care act to be that continuation throughout the duration of breastfeeding. For example, if parents want to attend classes prenatally and then all the way into postpartum until their child is 2 years old, limiting class coverage to 3 or 6 classes, this is truly not the duration of breastfeeding without cost-sharing because at some point they will most likely have to tap into deductibles or involve copays if they meet that maximum benefit. So, we are really seeing a lot of health plans correlate their policies along with the true meaning of the Affordable Care Act. It’s really great to see these policies expanding into the Medicaid space as well as further flourishing in the commercial space. We’re seeing a lot more coverage with the group classes. Health plans and stakeholders are seeing the true benefits as well as the value of telehealth. Meeting parents where they are is crucial. We want to be that partner to lift any barriers. We’re finding studies that show telehealth is as effective, if not more effective than in-person care.

Are you looking to stay updated with health plan insights just like the ones covered above? We’d love to extend the invite to subscribe to our email communications. To subscribe to Aeroflow Health’s email communications, please click the button below

Michael Cantor, M.D.

Dr. Mike Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney who has extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He works as a fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Healthcare, Uber Health, and other technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations and digital health companies. Previous roles include: CMO for Bright Health Plan, an innovative health
insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post- acute care benefits manager recently acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

Ryan Bullock

Ryan serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Aeroflow Health, a premier nationwide provider of durable medical equipment. In his current position, Ryan oversees strategic operations, corporate development and government relations. For over 14 years, Ryan has provided exceptional leadership, management and vision to Aeroflow, resulting in incredible growth and profitability for the company. Ryan holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Electronic Engineering from Western Carolina University and resides with his family in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.

Kierra Walsh

Kiera Walsh is a dedicated Managed Care Associate at Aeroflow Health, specializing in coordinating contracting and credentialing efforts for the lactation division. In her role, Kiera effectively communicates with health plans to ensure seamless integration and compliance, enhancing the efficiency and quality of lactation services provided.

With a background in doula services and midwifery, Kiera brings a unique perspective to her position, informing her meticulous approach to managed care. Her responsibilities include negotiating contracts, managing credentialing processes, and fostering strong relationships with health plans, all aimed at optimizing operational workflows and service delivery.

Kiera is passionate about supporting preventative maternal care and breastfeeding support, driving her commitment to excellence in her role. Her work ensures that mothers receive the highest quality care and support throughout their breastfeeding journey.

Dr. Michelle Haggerty, DO, MPH, ABOIM, NABBLM-C, IBCLC, PMH-C, RYT-200

Michelle Haggerty, DO, MPH, ABOIM, NABBLM-C, PHM-C is an innovator, adventurer, and advocate. She is a mom to 3 young boys and two angel babies. Dr. Haggerty is an integrative family physician and lactation medicine specialist who is passionate about revolutionizing postpartum care so that people have the tools and resources they need to confidently navigate the 4th trimester. She has a private practice providing in-home medical care to dyads during the 4th trimester and beyond called Fourth Trimester Doc (www.fourthtrimesterdoc.com), is co-executive director of the nonprofit Center for 4th Trimester Care (www.c4tc.co) providing professional support for healthcare professionals working with families postpartum, and also provides coaching services for postpartum folks nationally. She is consistently recognized as a Top Doctor in various publications.

Aleah Walker, IBCLC, CD (DTI) - Lactation Manager & Birth Team Captain, Aeroflow Breastpumps

Aleah Walker is a Lactation Consultant, Nutritionist and a Certified Labor and Postpartum Doula. She has worked for Aeroflow since November 2020. She has been married for 17 years and is a mother to 2 precious kiddos. Aleah started her career at her local WIC office as a Nutritionist right out of college in 2008. Moving up the ranks to a Nutrition Manager, Aleah found a passion for the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program while working at WIC and made a lateral move to working with that program. After the birth of her first child, Aleah felt the urge to become a doula as she utilized doula support for her birth. With her certification, she started her own private practice supporting families in her community as a doula and lactation consultant. After almost 12 years at WIC, Aleah ventured to a new atmosphere obtaining a job as a Lactation Consultant in a hospital. Then during the pandemic, Aleah was approached with the opportunity to continue pursuing her passion and providing Lactation care and support to families across the nation through an up-and-coming virtual platform with Aeroflow and the rest is history!

Leteace Lee, RNC, IBCLC - Aeroflow Breastpumps

Leteace Lee is a Certified Registered Nurse with expertise in Maternal and Newborn Care, Perinatal Mental Health, and as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She serves as a Lactation Consultant and Educator with Aeroflow Breastpumps. As a Holistic Mother-Baby Advocate, Leteace focuses on providing comprehensive support in breastfeeding as well as education in prenatal, birth, and postpartum care. Based in Maryland, she offers local in-person consults and virtual lactation consultations to women throughout the country.

References

2020 United States Lactation Consultant Association 197 Clinical Lactation, 2020, 11(4), http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/CLINLACT-D-20-00023

MarchofDimes. (2023, December). Maternity Care Desert. March of Dimes | PeriStats. https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/data?top=23

Written by Jennifer Jordan, Vice President of the Mom & Baby Division at Aeroflow Health

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and while breast pumps play a significant role in our business at Aeroflow Health, our commitment goes beyond just products. We are deeply invested in making breastfeeding supplies, support and education accessible for new and expectant mothers, rooted in our core values of putting patients and healthcare first.

Today, breastfeeding mothers returning to work can expect their employers to provide break time and a private place to pump — a right that was once overlooked and challenging to secure, but is now protected by the Break Time and PUMP for Nursing Mother’s Act.

Not every mother chooses or is able to breastfeed, and every woman should have the freedom to make the decision that is best for her and her family. However, it can be frustrating that myths around breastfeeding still persist in our culture. Despite advances in medicine, access to mental health resources and a growing understanding of its importance, many women still feel intimidated or judged, leading some to end their breastfeeding journey when returning to work even though they have protections under the law.

In the United States, breastfeeding rates are lower than in other advanced nations, with the lowest rates among women of color and those in lower income brackets. Women in lower-paying jobs often face greater challenges when it comes to pumping breast milk at work—despite legal mandates requiring employers to provide time and space for this essential need.

Another deterrent is cost. Pumps are expensive – and while the Affordable Care Act mandates that insurance cover pumps, the type of pump may vary, leaving women with options that make it more difficult.

Aeroflow Health is determined to support mothers in reaching their breastfeeding goals by providing education, supplies and resources. We believe strongly that it is incumbent upon the healthcare industry to do our part in helping mothers navigate what is too often a joyful but stressful time. Under the leadership of our CEO Casey Hite, we are committed to helping women navigate the complexities of insurance and arming them with facts about the benefits of breastfeeding and the laws that protect their right to pump breastmilk at work.

It doesn’t take much to lift someone’s spirits and show them they have support—even if we don’t personally know the millions of families we aim to help. New moms face countless challenges, and the day they return to work can be one of the most stressful. A little encouragement and understanding can make all the difference.

This National Breastfeeding Month, let’s offer women encouragement and support. Raising a family is not easy. Making it easier for them to give their babies a healthy start helps us all.

To learn more about how Aeroflow Health can help moms navigate breastfeeding and insurance, schedule time with our team

Schedule now

Vice President of the Mom & Baby Division at Aeroflow Health

Jennifer Jordan serves as the Vice President of the Mom & Baby Division at Aeroflow Health. With a passion for building brands and shaping strategic visions, Jenn has propelled Aeroflow Breastpumps to new heights in the competitive healthcare market. Leveraging her extensive experience in marketing, customer experience, sales and operations management, she has overseen the expansion of Aeroflow Breastpumps’ reach, forging key partnerships and driving growth in the maternal health space.

2020 United States Lactation Consultant Association 197 Clinical Lactation, 2020, 11(4), http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/CLINLACT-D-20-00023

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, July 31). About Breastfeeding. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/php/about/index.html#cdc_program_profile_how_it-breastfeeding-statistics

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Ashley Haynes, Director of Customer Operations at Aeroflow Health

Artificial intelligence (AI) has gone from a buzzword to a revolutionary tool that has the potential to take healthcare beyond what we thought could be possible in our day. With the opportunity to enhance diagnostics, personalize treatment plans and improve patient care more quickly and efficiently than ever before, Aeroflow Health hopes to leverage this technological advancement as a tool to better serve our teams and the patients we care for, enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them. According to Jason Wille, Chief Technology Officer at Aeroflow Health, “AI represents a significant step forward in our journey to enhance patient care, giving our teams the insights and tools they need to make faster, smarter decisions that benefit those we serve.”

The Challenge

Rapid company growth creates higher call volumes, handle times and inconsistencies in note taking. Seeking to remain competitive, we sought out a solution from our phone platform, Five9, that had the potential to highly improve efficiency among teams.

The Solution: Embracing AI with Five9 Intelligent CX Platform

Aeroflow Health is committed to responsible AI use that benefits all patients. When building out AI-powered features within Five9, we prioritize ensuring that patients who prefer human interaction have easy access to representatives.

By taking an omnichannel strategy approach, Aeroflow was able to significantly reduce call volume and better meet patients where they are. According to Ashley Haynes, Director of Customer Operations, “Connecting with patients to assist them is key to our mission success. We meet our patients where they are and want them to connect to us in the way they prefer so they can have an optimal experience. The ability to completely customize our IVR with this platform sold us.”

Key components of the implementation included:

Five9 Voice, Chat, and Email: Enabling omnichannel communication to meet patients where they prefer.
Five9 Intelligent Virtual Agent (IVA): Automating routine inquiries and reducing call volume.
Five9 Agent Assist: Improving agent efficiency through automated transcriptions and call summaries.

Results and Impact

The integration of AI-powered solutions has yielded significant benefits for Aeroflow Health:

Reduced Call Volume: The implementation of Five9 IVA has led to a 10-15% reduction in call volume by automating common inquiries such as order status and insurance guidelines.
Enhanced Agent Productivity: Five9 Agent Assist has streamlined agent workflows by automating transcriptions and generating comprehensive call summaries.
Improved Patient Experience: By offering multiple communication channels and providing quick, accurate information, Aeroflow has enhanced patient satisfaction.
Data-Driven Insights: The platform’s robust reporting capabilities provide valuable data for optimizing operations and improving customer interactions.

The Future of AI at Aeroflow Health

Aeroflow Health is committed to leveraging AI to further enhance patient care and operational efficiency. The company plans to expand the use of IVAs to additional business units and continue exploring new AI-driven solutions to stay at the forefront of the healthcare industry.

By embracing AI, Aeroflow Health has demonstrated its dedication to providing exceptional patient care while optimizing its operations.

To learn more about Aeroflow Health’s innovative approaches and stay tuned for future updates, subscribe to our communications below

Written by Joy Payne

Joy is the Senior Content Coordinator at Aeroflow Health. With over a decade of experience in bringing brand stories to life, Joy has a profound appreciation for the power of storytelling.

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Amanda Minimi, Director of Corporate Development for Aeroflow Health.

The terms “ghost networks” or “phantom networks” emerged during discussions of mental health parity at the start of COVID-19. Coined by Mike Evans, partner at K&L Gates and former Senate Finance Committee official, these terms captured the frustration of patients encountering inaccurate provider directories. What began as a mental health-specific issue has since broadened to acknowledge the wider problem of outdated directories and the need for regulatory action.

According to Yale Law & Policy Review, between 45% and 52% of provider directory listings had errors, with some individual plans having error rates as high as 98%. While it may seem straightforward that having providers who are no longer licensed or practicing in their field or unable to take on new patients is a problem, ghost networks can extend beyond that. Sometimes, directories are too broad and can overwhelm patients with options that do not actually provide the specific type of care they need. Additionally, some provider categories, such as lactation providers or language specifications, may be missing from the directory altogether. In short, there are many optimizations that need to be done in order to meet the needs of patients.

Ways To Improve Directories

Improving directories can be achieved by taking a holistic approach to a patient’s healthcare journey. By considering all of the possible points and barriers in the care continuum, we are able to ensure directories are user-friendly and that patients can easily find the information they need to make the informed decisions about their care. Improving provider directories is critical to ensure patients have access to the care they need when they need it. In order to do so, we should:

Increase transparency: Health plans and all providers should provide clear and concise information to patients about the providers in their network, including their contact information, office hours, and specialties. Health plans should also provide real-time updates, inclusive of product and services specific information, to their provider directories to ensure they are accurate and up-to-date.
Improve provider data collection: Health plans should improve their provider data collection processes to ensure they are collecting accurate and complete information about their network providers, including their availability and acceptance of new patients. This can be achieved through the use of automation and standardized data collection forms.
Improve network contracting: Networks should not be reviewed by the provider type but should be reviewed by the product category or specialty. This review can be completed by holding network teams accountable through taxonomy code reporting. This can also help health plans better identify the types of providers they need to add to their network to meet patient needs.
Deeply understand the patient journey: Patients should be encouraged to provide systematic feedback on their experiences with healthcare providers. Understanding how patients both initiate and continue their care allows us to design richer processes that help them coordinate the best courses of action. This feedback not only improves the accuracy of provider directories but also ensures they are designed with patients’ needs in mind. By engaging patients in this way, we can make it easier for them to find the appropriate care, ultimately enhancing their overall healthcare experience.
Increase collaboration: Health plans, providers, and regulatory agencies should collaborate to improve the accuracy of provider directories. This can include sharing best practices, developing standards for data collection and reporting, and working together to develop innovative solutions to improve provider directories.

How Aeroflow’s Integrated Approach Provides A Solution

Since 2001, Aeroflow Health has been working closely with their health plan partners to collaborate and improve the communication and engagement between patients and their health insurance providers. Through an integrated care model, Aeroflow streamlines the patient care journey, seamlessly weaving in complementary benefits that patients often seek, thus eliminating confusion and fragmentation in their care.
Aeroflow’s integrated approach combines personalized patient care with a robust network of healthcare services and benefits. By coordinating with health plan partners, Aeroflow ensures that patients receive comprehensive support, from initial consultations to follow-up care, and access to additional services like medical equipment, home health solutions, and wellness programs. This holistic approach not only improves patient outcomes but also enhances overall satisfaction.

Aeroflow’s integrated care model aids in the ghost network frustrations by seamlessly displaying all services and providers that are in-network with various insurance plans, often down to the employer-group level. Patients can easily access benefits through their in-network providers, eliminating the frustration of encountering ghost networks. Additionally, Aeroflow maintains an active directory of providers who are currently accepting patients and available through their insurance. By keeping this directory up-to-date and transparent, Aeroflow guarantees that patients receive care from active, verified providers, enhancing both accessibility and trust in the healthcare system. By eliminating ghost networks and clearly communicating benefits, Aeroflow significantly improves patient satisfaction and health outcomes. Our dedication to patient-centered care and innovation, coupled with our seamless integration of additional benefits, distinguishes us as a trusted partner in healthcare, setting us apart from other DME providers in the market.

Provider directories are essential for ensuring that patients have access to quality healthcare services. The existence of ghost networks and other inaccuracies in provider directories can lead to significant problems for patients, including delayed treatment, frustration, and potentially negative health outcomes. While there are already laws and regulations in place to ensure the accuracy of provider directories, there is still much work to be done to improve the patient experience and address the shortcomings of current systems. This will require a collaborative effort between healthcare providers, insurance companies, and policymakers to find comprehensive solutions that prioritize patient engagement, enforce subspecialties, and prioritize accuracy and timeliness in updating provider directories. By addressing these challenges, we can help ensure that patients have access to the care they need and deserve.

To learn more about how Aeroflow Health is partnering with health plans to eradicate Ghost Networks through an integrated approach, schedule time with our team here.

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Written by Joy Payne

Joy is the Senior Content Coordinator at Aeroflow Health. With over a decade of experience in bringing brand stories to life, Joy has a profound appreciation for the power of storytelling.

References

Burman, A. (n.d.). Laying ghost networks to rest: Combatting deceptive health plan provider directories. Yale Law & Policy Review. https://yalelawandpolicy.org/laying-ghost-networks-rest-combatting-deceptive-health-plan-provider-directories

Written by Casey Hite, CEO, Aeroflow Health

I’m proud to reflect on our sponsorship of LatchAVL, a community event organized by the Buncombe County Breastfeeding Coalition in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week. This free family event in Asheville, NC was dedicated to supporting and educating breastfeeding mothers in our community.

The event featured educational sessions on breastfeeding, safe sleeping practices, and car seat safety, while also connecting families with local support groups and lactation experts.

Jennifer Jordan, our Vice President of Aeroflow Breastpumps, shared, “We were thrilled to support LatchAVL in our hometown, aligning with our mission to provide accessible resources and support for breastfeeding mothers.”

I would like to add, at Aeroflow Health, we believe in fostering a supportive community for new mothers and their families. LatchAVL was a fantastic opportunity to come together and provide the vital resources and education needed for a healthy breastfeeding journey. We are committed to making a positive impact on maternal health and are delighted to have seen the community’s enthusiastic response to this initiative.

Events like these are crucial because they help new mothers feel supported and informed, reducing stress and uncertainty during a pivotal time in their lives. Access to accurate information and professional guidance can significantly improve breastfeeding success rates, which in turn can enhance both maternal and infant health outcomes. A supportive environment can empower families to make informed choices about their health and well-being.

Casey Hite, CEO, Aeroflow Health

Casey Hite serves as Aeroflow Health's CEO and is a seasoned healthcare executive with a strong background in healthcare operations, strategy and technology. With over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Casey has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare organizations. He is passionate about driving operational excellence and improving patient outcomes through innovative solutions and strategic initiatives. As a results-driven leader, Casey is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care and driving positive change in the healthcare industry.

In 2002, Casey and his brother Don launched Aeroflow Healthcare, which has transformed the Home Medical Equipment industry. Today, Aeroflow Health stands out from its competitors by basing the entire model around ensuring excellent customer service by placing its customers in control of their healthcare journey through technology and an online adaptive equipment and service selection process.

Casey has overseen and led the creation and growth of Aeroflow Mom & Baby, Motif Medical, Aeroflow Sleep, Aeroflow Urology, Aeroflow Diabetes as well as numerous other entities that operate under the Aeroflow Healthcare umbrella. Providing patient centric focused products and services with an industry leading business model, Aeroflow Companies service patients nationwide, scoring higher than any of its competitors in patient satisfaction.

Written by Lauren Bennett, COO of Aeroflow Health

One of the reasons I was first drawn to Aeroflow and that I have been a part of the Aeroflow Health family for so long is our commitment to patient accessibility.

Our interactions with the healthcare system are very personal. We inherit some attributes and others are a product of our environment. Some may be planned for, like pregnancy or elective surgery and others are accidental, like falling and breaking a hip. Insurance companies cover some remedies and not others.

We can get frustrated, scared, elated, or relieved – all while dealing with the same condition. Working in healthcare – especially for a company like Aeroflow Health that prides itself on being a disruptor and the most innovative DME business around – has given me a greater understanding of the system. Friends and family members often seek guidance, an explanation, or my opinion as to why parts of our system are structured the way they are.

I am so grateful that I have this understanding, because the healthcare system is confusing, bureaucratic, and contradictory. I recognize that many health policies are created by health plans in an attempt to control utilization, manage cost, and of course, reduce fraud, waste, and abuse within the system. Despite these good intentions, such policies can sometimes negatively impact the patients they are meant to serve. Both private and federal health plans can create confusion and uncertainty, often contradicting the care they aim to provide. Some of theses policies simply don’t make sense. They certainly are the antithesis of so much of what Aeroflow stands for as a company.

Take CPAP coverage. It begins with your wife, husband, partner, or roommate telling you that you snore. LOUDLY. You deny it until you one day realize that this may be a problem. Then you tell your doctor, who wants you to get a CPAP machine.

Great! Or so you think. First there is a sleep study. Then if the sleep study identifies you do have sleep apnea, your doctor will write a prescription for a CPAP machine. Like adjusting to new medications or eating habits, it may take you time to adjust to wearing a mask while sleeping, resulting in some nights where you are inconsistent in using your new device. If you dare drop below the deemed level of compliance, generally seventy percent – even by a single percent or one night’s sleep – your coverage can be dropped and you could be forced to pay market rate for the machine.

It sounds ludicrous, right? We know that sleep apnea causes a number of other diseases which could kill you, yet it is something that is hard to notice if you are the person with the condition (since others are usually pointing it out to you). From a coverage perspective, you have no incentive to wear the device if it is not covered anyway. You may even refuse it.

Things like this make no sense.

My friend recently told me a story that at his annual physical, his doctor asked if he wanted his Vitamin D tested. He replied, “of course,” to which his doctor responded, “you just need to know that if your insurance company denies this blood test, you will have to pay $300 for it.”

My friend declined the test.

This doesn’t make sense either. It actually flies in the face of everything we know about the importance of preventative medicine.

Using a CPAP machine even ten percent of the time is better than none at all and testing for a vitamin deficiency makes sense – especially given their importance.

While all of this is overwhelming, I am glad that I work for a company trying to lead by example and one which demonstrates to policymakers and regulators that a common sense and accessible approach to healthcare is one that everyone could benefit from.

There is a reason we go the extra mile – that we spend time counseling patients who are stressed and scared. There is so much they have to deal with, they need to know that we are their ally and fighter for a better system that puts preventative care first and that does not make finances a barrier to treatment.

We must do all we can to infuse every part of America’s health system with these values. It will mean healthier people, longer lives, and a greater chance at financial solvency for so many afflicted with illness.

Learn more

Lauren Bennett, COO of Aeroflow Health

Lauren Bennett is Chief Operating Officer for Aeroflow Health, where she leads national operational performance and experience. Lauren joined Aeroflow Health in 2014 and has held a variety of leadership roles within the company in strategy, experience, innovation, data analytics and growth. In her current role, Lauren oversees more than 200 operations employees and leaders across multiple business areas at Aeroflow Health. Lauren's priority is improving the experience for patients, health plans, providers and employees. Previously, Lauren was Vice President of Aeroflow Sleep and Director of Sales Operations for Aeroflow Breastpumps. She is known for driving innovation and efficiency through implementing state of the art automation with a goal of delivering a seamless patient experience

Written by Amanda Minimi, Aeroflow Health

A Night of Culinary Excellence for a Worthy Cause

On May 15, 2024, Aeroflow Health proudly partnered with the March of Dimes at the 42nd Annual Gourmet Gala. Held at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, this prestigious event brought together 55 Members of Congress, over 700 guests, and a panel of renowned local chefs, all united by a common goal: to support new moms and babies across the nation. This year’s event was a resounding success, raising a record-breaking $1.47 million to further the March of Dimes’ advocacy, research, and educational efforts.

The Gourmet Gala: More Than Just a Cook-Off

The Gourmet Gala is no ordinary event; it’s a vibrant celebration of hope and resilience. Members of Congress took center stage in a spirited cook-off competition, showcasing their culinary prowess and serving up their favorite dishes. Their creations were judged by a panel of esteemed local chefs, including Chef Pepe Moncayo of Cranes, Chef Robbie Meltzer of Jose Andres Group, Chef Matt Baker of Gravitas and Michele’s, and Chef Gabe Thompson of Thompson Italian.

The evening also featured the heartwarming story of the Donaldson Family, who shared their emotional journey of welcoming their son Carter into the world at just 25 weeks, weighing a mere 12 ounces. Their story highlighted the critical role that the March of Dimes plays in providing support and resources to families with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Culinary Competition Winners

The event’s culinary competition saw Members of Congress vying for top honors in various categories:

Easiest Preparation: Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Dr. Marcia Latta with their Oreo Victory Dessert
Hometown Hero: Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) with her Tater Tot Casserole
Healthiest Recipe: Rep. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Mrs. Ann Scott with their Wild Rice Chicken Salad
Judge’s Choice: Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) and Mrs. Corinne Goldman with their Challa
Best Presentation: Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) and Mrs. Sarah Landsman with their Shrimp Louis
People’s Choice: Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) and Mrs. Vivian Bishop with Grandma Betty’s Yellow Corn Grits & Southern Style Spicy Shrimp

A Community United

Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, President and CEO of March of Dimes, expressed her gratitude: “Our annual Gourmet Gala is more than a culinary event, it’s a celebration of hope and resilience for families across the US. We’re incredibly grateful for the support of our Congressional Chefs, sponsors, attendees, and volunteers who make these events possible—their generosity allows us to continue to fight to improve health outcomes for all moms and babies.”

Aeroflow Health’s involvement in the Gourmet Gala underscores our commitment to supporting organizations dedicated to health and well-being. As a company, we believe in making a positive impact in the communities we serve, and our partnership with the March of Dimes is a testament to that commitment.

Looking Ahead

As we look to the future, Aeroflow Health remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that advocate for the health and wellness of families nationwide. Our partnership with the March of Dimes is just one example of how we strive to make a difference.

To learn more about the March of Dimes Gourmet Gala and to see photos from the event, please visit marchofdimes.org/gourmetgala.

Together, we can continue to champion the cause of healthy moms and strong babies.

Amanda Minimi, Aeroflow Health

Amanda is the Director of Corporate Development at Aeroflow Healthcare, the largest provider of breastfeeding equipment and services in the nation. Amanda has led Aeroflow Healthcare's health plan partnership initiatives where there collaboration-based solutions have led to better outcomes through high patient engagement and increased instances and duration of breastfeeding. Amanda also serves as the co-chair of AAHomeCare's Breastfeeding Coalition, a team that works with states and health plans to advocate to reduce barriers in access to breastfeeding.

Written by Casey Hite, CEO, Aeroflow Health

At Aeroflow Health, our mission has always been to stand out in the DME industry by merging patient access with innovative technology. We understand that healthcare can be overwhelming, often stressful, and uncertain, so we are committed to making it more accessible.

Our role extends beyond merely delivering medical supplies. At Aeroflow Health, we believe our patients deserve partners who provide educational information and cutting-edge technology. We take pride in our supportive and compassionate approach, investing in our people and their communities through volunteer opportunities and programmatic support for organizations making a tangible difference.

When we founded Aeroflow in 2001, we knew that we were entering a sector that did not always embrace change and where community partnerships were rarely, if ever, considered. Our technology helped us successfully impact the medical equipment and larger healthcare sectors in ways even we did not imagine – most notably for new mothers, who need all the support they can get.

It is because of our patient-centered values that we now support more than one million patients each year and are expected to make our 900th hire by the end of 2024.

And it is in that vein that we are launching this new executive blog at Aeroflow – one where our patients will get to hear directly from our company’s leaders regarding important news, marketplace changes, and innovations.

Each of us has a story to tell about what brought us into the medical equipment field and why we spend each and every day working to ensure patients have the best equipment, information, and access.

I hope you become a regular reader and enjoy hearing from us about the different ways we are working together to make Aeroflow Health the best it can possibly be for our employees, our partners and our consumers.

Learn more

Casey Hite, CEO, Aeroflow Health

We are thrilled to announce that Aeroflow Health has been honored with the 2024 Sky High Growth Award! This prestigious recognition celebrates our contributions to the Asheville area and acknowledges our business success and growth.

The Sky High Growth Award, presented by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, recognizes companies in the Asheville/Buncombe area that are creating jobs, fostering growth, innovating, and being actively involved in the community. Aeroflow Health’s remarkable achievements in job creation and revenue growth exemplify these criteria. In 2022, Aeroflow welcomed 348 new hires, with nearly half filling newly created positions, and continued this trend in 2023 with 368 new hires, 204 of which were new roles. This growth was driven by our commitment to world-class customer service, innovation in healthcare technology, and a supportive workplace culture.

Our job creation efforts have been diverse, spanning various roles from entry-level positions to specialized roles and leadership positions. This strategic expansion has allowed us to enhance our service offerings and maintain high standards of patient care.

Aeroflow has also demonstrated resilience and innovation, especially over the last two years, by investing in technology and creating a consumer-driven healthcare platform that simplifies the process for patients. Our community involvement through partnerships, financial donations, and volunteer opportunities further highlights our dedication to making a positive impact.

Interested in Working for a Mission-Based Company?

Explore our Open Positions!

Aeroflow Health is proud to partner with United Way, underscoring our dedication to community engagement and volunteerism. As a primary contributor, we sponsor the Back to School drive for United Way of Buncombe County, offering employees the chance to pack backpacks for local students. We are also integrating into United Way’s volunteer platform, Hands On, so our managers can schedule volunteer opportunities for their teams.

For United Way of Henderson County, we sponsored the Days of Caring event, allowing our team to participate in various community service projects. Days of Caring, held annually on the second Saturday of May, mobilizes hundreds of volunteers to support local nonprofits through hands-on projects, enhancing community well-being.

Looking forward, we aspire to deepen our collaboration with United Way on a national scale, aiming for more significant contributions and expanded community impact. This partnership represents a vital step in Aeroflow Health’s commitment to making a positive difference in the communities we serve. We are excited to continue these initiatives and more like them with United Way!

Interested in Working for a Mission-Based Company?

Explore our Open Positions!

How Aeroflow Health is transforming postpartum care for moms

The act of breastfeeding and the use of human milk offer a multitude of long and short-term benefits for both mother and baby, making it the optimal form of infant feeding. Breastfeeding and expressing milk is a new experience for many moms and parents, and they need support. At Aeroflow Health, we offer a number of programs such as helping moms find the most appropriate pump for their lactation journey, lactation and infant care informational courses, and one-on-one appointments. The aim of this report was to provide conclusions about how Aeroflow Health moms compare to national data based on breastfeeding, sleep, introducing solid foods and mental health parameters at 6 months.

“Being able to partner with Aeroflow in a member’s journey from conception to postpartum has allowed Sentara to offer programs of longevity.”

Kate Maas

Sentara Health Plans

Dr. Alena Clark, PhD, MPH, RDN, CLC

Dr. Alena Clark, PhD, MPH, RDN, CLC (she/her), is a clinical writer and researcher for Aeroflow Health Lactation and an instructor at Colorado State University. She has worked in lactation support for over 20 years and is recognized as an outstanding educator and leader in lactation support in Colorado. She developed the Toolkit for Establishing Lactation Support on university and college campuses. She also wrote, published, and presented multiple papers on lactation support and nutrition education.

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, Chief Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Health.

Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “The Silent Struggle: How Health Plans Can Champion Mental Wellbeing,” to look into the potential situational stressors and risk factors that could be leading to an increase in mental health conditions within your member population. For more comprehensive insights, don’t miss the chance to watch the webinar playback.

Aeroflow Health has observed that the maternal continuum of care is often incomplete. What has traditionally been missing from the model of care?

Jennifer: That’s such a great question! It is an honor that Aeroflow is often a first stop for new moms when they find out they are pregnant. Typically, moms decide to breastfeed very early on in the pregnancy journey, so we’re in contact with them, possibly before they even have the confidence to share the news with the rest of the world. We’re able to have this unique experience where we can walk with a mom through her first prenatal visits, help give direction on breast pumps, and provide classes, education, and support groups where she can connect with other moms. Our hope is to give her confidence in voice and preparation through our classes and education. Breastfeeding is natural; however, breastfeeding is not easy. I am a former breastfeeding mom, and it really is a lot of work and dedication that you have to put in, and even with preparation, there will be bumps and struggles along the way. Often, we will spend a lot of time preparing for the actual birth event but not as much time really thinking about other factors that we will need to put into practice once the baby is at home. We leave the hospital, and typically, we are faced with a multitude of hormones, lack of sleep, and relentless self-doubt questions about whether or not we’re meeting all of the needs of our baby. The 6-week postpartum check-up is often a moment of relief for new mothers. Concerns can be addressed, and the initial “fog” of those early newborn days can start to clear. However, a hidden danger lurks in this tradition: the significant gap in care between delivery and that 6-week appointment. For many mothers, this means six weeks without essential medical and emotional support during a critical time of adjustment and potential health risks. I am so deeply proud of how Aeroflow has stood in the gap for moms during this period of time. Through the help of our IBCLCs and our community of educators, we’ve been able to implement a Facebook Group called The Pumping Room, where moms are given the space to bring their questions and concerns and be met with a community that is willing to listen and help provide a path to success. With health plans, there’s an opportunity for us to really partner in triage and assist some of these moms who may be some of the most vulnerable populations. Health plans, unfortunately, aren’t privy to some of the information that patients are sharing with us at Aeroflow, so if we’re able to partner together and share the wealth of knowledge, we’re more likely to see higher success.

When it comes to mental health, what aspects of care have been missing in maternal care? How important is mental health for pregnant people, and how does Canopie provide a solution?

Anne: The experience of motherhood usually has 2 disconnected pieces. The more clinical side, where a mom will visit her OB, and then the community side, where she seeks support and answers to her questions. These pieces are so interrelated. What happens outside of the doctor’s office impacts what is discussed in the doctor’s office and vice versa. The truth is that maternal health is often treated in siloes. One of my favorite things about Aeroflow is how they truly have figured out how to fill important support gaps in a trusted, evidence-based way at a population level. Mental health conditions are the most common complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and often, can be the most devastating in terms of cost and the long-term impact on mom and baby. Sadly, in the traditional maternal care model, moms won’t talk about mental health with their doctor until postpartum. This is a huge loss as there is so much that moms can do to protect themselves throughout their pregnancy. We know that certain people are at higher risk during pregnancy, and although they may test low on the depression screeners done through their provider, we’ve seen at Canopie that these same people are experiencing a lot of anxiety, which can be a precursor to developing postpartum depression. Moms who get pregnant older, undergo IVF, are pregnant with multiples, or even someone with a history of mental health conditions are all subject to increased mental health risks. What’s really missing is proper screening. According to the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, despite the availability of scalable mental health condition solutions, less than 20% of all moms are screened for mental health conditions. Additionally, we need to be more proactive about the support we provide people because it can be so hard to access mental health support, no matter where a mom finds herself. We’re so grateful to be able to partner with Aeroflow to offer moms proactive mental health support and education that engages them with the care they need.

Health plans often have maternal care management programs. What do these programs typically do?

Ryan: More broadly, health plans are wanting to identify and have as many touch points with mom as she is walking through her pregnancy journey. This is where Aeroflow in combination with Canopie can step in to help monitor moms in their mental health as well as help identify high-risk moms.

Anne: Unfortunately, I have seen that most people do not know about the wonderful support that is available to them through their insurance. I’ve found that nurses really are a triage of support for moms as they navigate their needs and questions through the perinatal period. One of the things that Canopie and Aeroflow have done together is increase awareness of these programs for expecting moms. When we work with health plans, they typically are interested in reaching specific zip codes where they know that there are higher barriers to access to care. We help educate health plan members and provide identification for those whom health plans should have a heightened awareness of.

Recently, Aeroflow Health and Canopie partnered with a prominent Florida health plan to provide a maternal mental health program for members during their pregnancy journey. What did the risk stratification look like for this program? What were the key components of identifying members for this program?

Anne: I am so excited about this part of the work because it was an acknowledgment of how interrelated these issues are. Those who have increased determinants of health barriers have a higher risk of mental health conditions. Moms who have a high pregnancy risk are also at higher risk, and vice versa. Moms who have an untreated mental health condition are 3 times as likely to have a preterm birth. In addition to asking key social risk factor questions, we were able to segment member communication strategies between health plans, the DME provider and care management teams so that the full timeframe of needed care was covered. One major success was the amount of data we were able to gain from each mom. The self-reported information from members helped fill some gaps that wouldn’t have otherwise been available to the health plan. I will also add that trust was a huge part of the stratification process. In a world where information overload is rampant, being able to be a trusted resource that moms can look to is huge.

One of the challenges that health plans have is patient engagement. Aeroflow has had several successes with engaging with members. Can you share some of those?

Jennifer: I love this question because it has been what Aeroflow Breastpumps has focused on since day one. We’ve always believed that if we created our experience centered around the birthing parent, we would create an experience they want to be a part of. We’ve created simplicity to care and access. Birth may be the first major medical event that someone is going through, so navigating insurance can be really difficult. We are able to truly simplify the insurance process and do all of the leg work for moms so that they can focus on things like lactation education and breastfeeding support. Through resources like our Facebook group and other social channels, we are regularly talking with members. Our team of 50+ loving clinicians and customer service teams are available to moms if they want to email, call, or chat. We’re here to communicate with moms using their preferred method. We want to meet moms where they are in a fun and relatable way. We want every person who comes to our website to feel like we are wrapping our arms around them, no matter what health plan or health benefits they have.

Learn more about how Aeroflow Health partners with health plans to provide maternal mental health and to gain access to greater insights into the program mentioned in this webinar.

Learn more

Michael Cantor, M.D.

Dr. Mike Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney who has extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He works as a fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Healthcare, Uber Health, and other technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations and digital health companies. Previous roles include: CMO for Bright Health Plan, an innovative health
insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post- acute care benefits manager recently acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

Ryan Bullock

Ryan serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Aeroflow Health, a premier nationwide provider of durable medical equipment. In his current position, Ryan oversees strategic operations, corporate development and government relations. For over 14 years, Ryan has provided exceptional leadership, management and vision to Aeroflow, resulting in incredible growth and profitability for the company. Ryan holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Electronic Engineering from Western Carolina University and resides with his family in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.

Anne Wandlund

Anne is the Co-Founder and CEO of Canopie, a maternal mental health platform providing access to care for perinatal populations across all levels of mental health and social risk. Before Canopie, she spent 5 years leading maternal health organizations in East Africa, most recently as the COO of an award-winning social enterprise that uses technology to improve maternal and child nutrition. She has worked in global health for the State Department, USAID, and Massachusetts General Hospital and has a Master's degree from Tufts University, where she served as a bioethics Teaching Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health. Anne is channeling her passion and expertise in maternal health and personal experiences with mental health conditions as a new mom to address the enormous care gap.

Jenn Jordan

Jennifer Jordan serves as the Vice President of the Mom & Baby Division at Aeroflow Health. With a passion for building brands and shaping strategic visions, Jenn has propelled Aeroflow Breastpumps to new heights in the competitive healthcare market. Leveraging her extensive experience in marketing, customer experience, sales and operations management, she has overseen the expansion of Aeroflow Breastpump's reach, forging key partnerships and driving growth in the maternal health space.

Written by Kristin Polson, Aeroflow Health

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Amanda Minimi, Aeroflow Health

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare regulation, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest updates, especially when they pertain to significant changes in policy and state plans. The recent CMS Final Rule Changes, announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), bring forth a series of alterations that will shape the future of healthcare delivery, particularly in Medicaid and CHIP programs. Let’s delve into the key amendments and their potential implications.

Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Standards:

One of the pivotal changes introduced by the CMS Final Rule pertains to the establishment of minimum staffing standards for nursing homes. This move aims to enhance the quality of care provided to residents by ensuring adequate staffing levels, which is vital for their well-being and safety.

Access Standards for Medicaid and CHIP:

Ensuring access to quality healthcare services is paramount, especially for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries. The CMS Final Rule mandates states to implement measures to validate the accuracy of provider directories through annual secret shopper surveys. Additionally, states are required to conduct enrollee experience surveys and submit annual payment analyses to compare managed care plans’ payment rates, ensuring transparency and accountability.

State Directed Payments:

The Final Rule streamlines the process for state-directed payments, eliminating regulatory barriers and enhancing flexibility for states to implement value-based purchasing arrangements. By mandating provider-level reporting on expenditure and establishing evaluation plans, the CMS aims to ensure the effectiveness and accountability of state-directed payments.

Quality Strategy and External Quality Review (EQR):

With a focus on improving healthcare quality, the Final Rule increases public engagement in state-managed care quality strategies and standardizes review periods for annual EQR activities. The inclusion of more meaningful data in EQR reports aims to drive continuous improvement in healthcare outcomes.

Medicaid and CHIP Quality Rating System (MAC QRS):

The establishment of MAC QRS websites as a centralized platform for beneficiaries to access information and compare managed care plans underscores the CMS’s commitment to transparency and consumer empowerment. By setting standards for quality ratings and calculation methodologies, the CMS seeks to facilitate informed decision-making among beneficiaries.

New Guardrails for Plan Compensation and Distribution of Personal Beneficiary Data:

To prevent anti-competitive practices and safeguard beneficiary data privacy, the Final Rule prohibits separate payments to agents or brokers that may compromise impartiality. Additionally, stringent guidelines are introduced for the distribution of personal beneficiary data by third-party marketing organizations, ensuring compliance with consent requirements.

Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSCBI) and Health Equity Analysis:

The Final Rule introduces standards for SSCBI eligibility and mandates mid-year notifications for unused supplemental benefits, promoting proactive healthcare management for chronically ill enrollees. Furthermore, the emphasis on health equity analysis aims to address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.

Integration of Medicare and Medicaid Services:

Efforts to streamline enrollment processes and improve care coordination for dually eligible individuals mark a significant step towards integrated healthcare delivery. By revising enrollment periods and limiting plan options, the CMS aims to enhance the continuity and effectiveness of care for this vulnerable population.

The CMS Final Rule Changes herald a new era of accountability, transparency, and quality improvement in Medicaid programs and CHIP programs. By addressing key areas such as staffing standards, access to care, quality ratings, and beneficiary access, these amendments lay the foundation for a more equitable and efficient healthcare system. As stakeholders navigate these changes, it’s imperative to embrace collaboration and innovation to ensure the delivery of high-quality care to all beneficiaries. Stay tuned for further updates and insights as we navigate the evolving healthcare landscape together.

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References:

Federal Register, The Daily Journal of the United States Government. (2024, May 10). Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/10/2024-08363/medicaid-program-ensuring-access-to-medicaid-services

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, Chief Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Health.

Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “Common Vs. Normal: Building A Sustainable Strategy For Incontinence Management,” to learn about the significant changes occurring in the realm of continence care and how Aeroflow is actively engaged in supporting patients living with incontinence. For more comprehensive insights, don’t miss the chance to watch the webinar playback.

What is urinary incontinence? How common is it? How does it affect people’s lives?

Aleece: Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine from the bladder. Urinary incontinence can be broken down into 5 types:

- Urge incontinence: This is where someone has an urgent/sudden intense need to use the restroom. This person would have an involuntary loss of urine.
- Stress incontinence: Occurs when there is increased stress or pressure from the abdominal cavity is applied to the pelvic floor muscles and bladder. Some may experience loss of urine during exercise or a sneeze.

Overflow incontinence: Overflow incontinence happens when the bladder cannot hold any more urine, and it usually happens to somebody who has incomplete bladder emptying. We usually would see this potentially in someone who’s had an enlarged prostate. I always explain it to my patients as if you’ve got a glass holding water. It can only hold so much at one time before overflowing. I also commonly see this type for female-identified folks who have a prolapse of that bladder where they’re not able to empty their bladder as much.

Functional incontinence: This type is for someone who has a physical or cognitive limitation that disrupts their ability to get to the restroom in time. For example, someone who has severe arthritis or someone who is using an assistive device may take a little bit longer to get to the restroom. This type is also commonly found among those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Mixed incontinence: This type can be any of the above types of incontinence. I explain this to my patients by drawing a Venn diagram and showing how all of the types can overflow.

Regarding who incontinence impacts the most, we are going to see this more among those who identify as female, especially as they age. However, incontinence really can affect anyone. We assume that incontinence only happens to those who are in their 60s-70s or children learning to potty-train, but really, it impacts everyone. I was recently talking to a group of female adolescent athletes struggling with incontinence, and I think that we can forget how many female adolescents are experiencing urinary incontinence. For females, the situations that will increase their risk rate are going to be pregnancy and the type of delivery. Menopause can also cause incontinence. Incontinence affects over 25 million individuals across the U.S., and it does not discriminate. Unfortunately, I do think that because of social determinants of health, some populations are significantly more impacted than others. 1 in 4 men admit to regular bladder leaks and 1 out of 2 women report experiencing bladder leaks. When we think about how incontinence impacts lives, people’s dignity and social lives are under fire. Many of the following questions are asked:

Do I smell?
Will I be able to find a restroom nearby while I am out?
If I have to leave during a movie, will I miss out on things?
Will I have access to my products when I need them?

These all can greatly impact mental health. I don’t think we truly grasp and talk about the way incontinence impacts people’s mental health and how it limits people from getting out and doing things. This limitation can lead to anxiety, depression, stress and more. People have lost jobs because of having to leave their desks so frequently to use the restroom. There is a great fear around potentially having an accident and then the shame that it could lead to. There is a stigma around incontinence, and we need to be able to talk more freely about it, as it has happened to all of us at some point. Normalizing incontinence isn’t necessarily the goal, but rather, it is to communicate that it is common and not normal, but there are things we can do about it.

What are incontinence products? Which health plans cover these products and what is covered?

A2: Mica: At a fundamental level, a lot of what we deal with with incontinence management is your disposable wearable incontinence products. You might hear them referred to as “Depends” on the kind of protective underwear style, or you may hear them colloquially referred to as “diapers,” although we try not to use the word diaper because of dignity issues that it can create with the adult population, and then you will also hear about bladder control pads which are often referred to as a Poise pad, typically for a female patient with lite to moderate incontinence. Aeroflow Urology prides itself in providing these types of products to patients through insurance. We don’t treat the underlying condition but rather help individuals manage the symptoms as best we can relative to each person’s unique needs. Having worked with direct patient care for more than 10 years, I would like to highlight that each patient we work with requires a very nuanced approach to care. Our teams like to take a holistic approach to consider what else might be going on in a patient’s life that will impact their incontinence product needs. For example, our team will ask questions like:

Are they in the process of losing or gaining weight?
Is their mobility diminishing?
Are they on any medications?

We strive to ensure that each patient gets the product that best suits their needs. Since most of these products are primarily available over the counter, we see many patients self-managing, and often, they aren’t purchasing the best product to help manage their instances of incontinence. I will also say that is a really underrated aspect of the Medicaid population. To speak to the insurance piece, the only payor category in the United States that currently covers incontinence products is the Medicaid population and so we at Aeroflow Health concern ourselves primarily with identifying patients within the Medicaid and Medicaid Dual population who have coverage of these products and then providing a solution for them. Though Medicaid represents a considerable percentage of insured lives in America, it certainly leaves a huge delta between the total number of people who may have this condition and people who do not have a framework to receive the products they need.

What are the most common misconceptions about incontinence products?

Mica: I can give you a very common example of one we deal with daily and it’s around a Brief product, which is a product with tabs. If someone has fecal incontinence, a brief product will always be the most appropriate product to help manage this condition, but we see so many challenges with patient adherence because of the dignity aspect of accepting a product with tabs. This type of product can be infantilizing and can make someone more acutely aware of their condition, which can cause shame. This type of scenario often leads to patients self-managing with protective underwear or, even worse, with something like a bladder control pad. Our team has to have hard conversations with patients to let them know that the products they are currently using might not be clinically best for their condition. Even despite having these conversations, we see significant adherence complications in getting patients to accept those products.

Ryan: Aeroflow is passionate about trying to normalize the conversation of incontinence and raising more awareness to how many people it does affect. We also hope to educate on the solutions that are available to people so that they don’t be limited in their lifestyle.

How does Aeroflow overcome the barrier of keeping in contact with patients? How do you continue to engage the patients?

Mica: For Aeroflow Urology, it’s taking a lot of extra time and care to be intentional with patients during the intake phone call. When someone reaches out to us, that initial call can often be a 30-45 minute conversation. We not only walk the patient through the products available but also ask questions like:

Do you have a mobile number where we can reach you?
What is your preferred method of communication?
Who is your emergency contact?
Do you have multiple addresses?
Do you have someone who assists in your care?

Going the extra mile to obtain those supplemental data points is very helpful! For the Medicaid population, there is a higher percentage of those using prepaid cell phones and lower utilization rates of email, so having all of this additional information can be helpful in reaching patients if they become hard to reach. We also see patients who experience disruptions in their coverage, and we have to help explain to the patients the details of their insurance. So, really, we’re expanding our depth of explanation from just incontinence product knowledge to health insurance education because that’s what it takes to keep these patients engaged for the long haul.

Regarding engagement, incontinence products are a monthly cycle, which means we’re in contact with our patients at least once a month. It may be as simple as checking in to see if they need a resupply, but we’re reaching out to all of our patients monthly. We often find that when we obtain a patient’s physician information and reach out to the doctor to let them know that the patient is interested in receiving incontinence products through insurance, often that is the first time the physician has heard that their patient is experiencing incontinence. This goes to show that, left to their own devices, many patients are suffering in silence, self-managing as best they can, and because they aren’t engaging with their physician, they aren’t going through the additional screenings. One of the most impactful ways that Aeroflow partners with health plans is by encouraging patients to engage with their providers and insurance companies. We have a proximity that the payor often doesn’t have.

Access to care is often not evenly distributed. How does health equity impact incontinence care rates?

Mica: I will say that very few people are incontinent just because they are incontinent. There are often interrelated conditions that all play a part in management. Typically, these patients are speaking to so many different specialists that when we ask them who to talk to regarding their incontinence needs, they don’t know who to direct us to. This is where I see some challenges from the provider/direct patient care of understanding and adherence.
Aleece: Access to care has gotten a little better since COVID-19 and the rise of telehealth and telemedicine. However, I do think that there is value in seeing someone in person so that I can check urine samples and see how much they have left in their bladder. For me, I am always looking at what resources are available in the community for my patients. Is it a mobile health unit or home healthcare? A lot of the time, people are not aware of the resources available to them. I function as a matchmaker sometimes just to raise awareness of the resources available. There is also a huge shortage right now for urologists who can compact this access problem. I have to really get creative on ways to provide access to patients.

Ryan: Aeroflow recognizes that there is a transportation need as it relates to access, and we’re seeing that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and many Medicaid plans are trying to determine those Social Determinants of Health and the insecurities that are being created. This is an opportunity for us internally to help identify these data points and relay those back to health plans. I think there is a lot of opportunity around interoperability as we think about caring for these patients holistically.

How do we treat incontinence, and how often does successful treatment occur?

Aleece: I am so optimistic. I usually say that we can typically make most patients better. What the degree of better looks like usually depends on each individual, their diagnosis, and what their support system looks like. I really recommend patients see a pelvic floor therapist. There can be some barriers when we talk about occupational therapy or physical therapy subsets. Sometimes, insurance won’t cover these visits, or you’re limited in your visit allowance. For example, if you have 30 visits a year and just had knee surgery, you will have post-surgery therapy to help regain movement. Just this one need could use up all of the allotted visits. These types of physical therapy sessions are often taking precedence for people rather than that of pelvic floor therapy. I have to meet a lot of people where they are for this. There are some oral medications to help, but many people are already taking several other medications, so I have to ask myself if they want to start taking another. Medications are also an additional cost and could complicate the usage of being taken with other pre-existing medicines. Individual treatment and ongoing communication are crucial to successful treatment. Mental health also has a huge impact on incontinence treatment for patients. There is a lot of anxiety, stress, and depression that can come along with incontinence, so pairing patients with a mental health therapist can help streamline successful treatment.

"Aeroflow has allowed me to play with my great-grandchildren, and to go to the grocery store without staying close to a bathroom. My daughter no longer has to be my shopper. Not to mention the money they are saving, which can be used for utilities."
Liz H.

You can schedule time with our team here to learn more about how Aeroflow provides Urological solutions.

Schedule now

Michael Cantor, M.D.

Dr. Mike Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney who has extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He works as a fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Healthcare, Uber Health, and other technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations and digital health companies. Previous roles include: CMO for Bright Health Plan, an innovative health
insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post- acute care benefits manager recently acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

Ryan Bullock

Ryan serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Aeroflow Health, a premier nationwide provider of durable medical equipment. In his current position, Ryan oversees strategic operations, corporate development and government relations. For over 14 years, Ryan has provided exceptional leadership, management and vision to Aeroflow, resulting in incredible growth and profitability for the company. Ryan holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Electronic Engineering from Western Carolina University and resides with his family in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.

Aleece Fosnight, MSPAS, PA-C, CSC-S, CSE, NCMP, IF

Aleece serves as the Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Urology and is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in sexual medicine, women’s health, and urology. In 2019, Fosnight opened up her own private practice, the Fosnight Center for Sexual Health, and implemented the sexual health grand rounds curriculum at her local hospital and residency program. Fosnight is also the founder of the Fosnight Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and training of professionals in the sexual health field and providing funding for access to healthcare services in her local community.

Mica Phillips

Mica serves as Vice President of Aeroflow Urology, a subsidiary of Aeroflow Health that is a leading provider of high-quality continence care supplies through insurance. He brings creativity to a sometimes stagnant and complacent industry and tries his best to uncomplicate the complex world of Insurance. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English. In addition to his daily responsibilities, he’s contributed to numerous articles for online journals regarding senior care, incontinence, and navigating insurance benefits.

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, Chief Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Health.

Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “Food Is Medicine: Empowering Health Plans To Integrate Nutrition for Member Wellness,” to learn about innovative ways to improve member health and well-being. For more comprehensive insights, don’t miss the chance to watch the webinar playback.

What is “Food Is Medicine (FiM)”? What is a “food prescription,” and how is this different from a FiM program? Is FiM a benefit design?

Holly: To be honest, if you ask this question to other people in the field, we’re all going to have slightly different answers, and the reason is that there’s no standardized definition. What we’re seeing in the field right now, especially with the White House commitment, is that the FiM discussion is really turning into a movement. By acknowledging and understanding the value of nutrition as part of healthcare and as part of treatment and prevention, we must acknowledge that we won’t see health outcomes the way that we would like to see them if we don’t understand and acknowledge nutrition and the role of food. When thinking about the role of FiM, I use the terminology “Food is Medicine prescriptions,” and what I am doing by saying this is acknowledging and noticing that we need to put more focus on treatment plans for individuals who might be struggling with food insecurities and/or chronic conditions. Food prescriptions should be part of the continuum of services that healthcare providers engage patients with. This could take on various forms. For example, produce prescriptions, medically tailored groceries or medically tailored meals can all engage patients with optimal nutrition options when living with a chronic disease or medical condition. When we think about benefit design, in my worldview, it’s not just about a program; it’s about how we meet the patients where they are. Every patient will have a different scenario that requires a different treatment plan. For example, if a patient was recently discharged from the hospital, it may be that they need medically tailored meals for a time, and then once fully recovered, they can come off the system. Food should be a part of the discussion for patient treatment plans.

What has the traditional approach to nutrition and FiM been for health plans, and how is that evolving?

Sophie: Traditionally, there hasn’t really been an approach, and now that FiM is becoming more relevant and a more frequented conversation, I think in the literal sense, we see food and nutrition as critical interventions for disease prevention and for treatment. As Holly mentioned earlier, the FiM movement is all about supporting members who need extra support to meet their nutritional needs so they can manage their disease states effectively and have the inputs they need to be successful and food secure. Referring to the FiM program and the defining of what it means for health plans, I see it as a recognition of the broader Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) that go into patients developing disease and addressing these root causes rather than waiting for patients to enter the healthcare system or continue to inundate the issue. Figuring out how to prevent patients from utilizing large portions of the healthcare system and providing them with what they need in order to live a healthy, fulfilled life should be the goal.

Why is Aeroflow Health interested in the Food Is Medicine movement?

Ryan: Our interest in nutrition services and viewing food as medicine began in our Mom and Baby division. We were supplying breastfeeding products and recognized a need to also include lactation counseling as a part of our holistic approach to breastfeeding and providing moms with the resources, products, and education they deserve. In this continued conversation among our team, nutrition services became a topic of consideration, and we started looking at the potential of adding Nutrition Therapy to the Mom and Baby division. These conversations really opened our eyes internally to look at what the other product categories, and disease states are that we focus on, supplying patients with their durable medical equipment products that have a correlation to food. This is how Aeroflow Diabetes became an additional business line for us and, most recently, the addition of Sophie as our Registered Dietitian who provides Medical Nutrition Therapy to qualifying patients.

The “Food Is Medicine” movement is gaining traction. What are some FiM successes? What are the opportunities?

Holly: Before I started my time with The Milken Institute, I was the Chief of Food Policy Planning for the City of Baltimore, and I led the nutrition security response for COVID-19. One of the key lessons that we’re seeing right now in the FiM movement is understanding how important food insecurity plays in impacting health conditions and acknowledging that access alone is not enough. Jumping forward to where we are now, the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, in my opinion, has been one of the greatest successes in mobilizing stakeholders and unifying everyone to point in the same direction. When you look at the successes of the last several years of FiM, I would say we’re finally seeing pockets of pilot programs coming to scale. We are seeing evidence of growth building way beyond 100 to 200 population groups, even in the 2000s, in many states. Also, we’ve seen movement when we look at Medicaid 1115 waivers. Only a couple of years ago, we only saw a handful of states and now we’re seeing 7-12 depending on how you count in their status, whether they’re approved right now or pending, and so I think that we’re pointing in the right direction. As it relates to some of the challenges we are seeing, I believe we need to be ready with implementation strategies when policies and reimbursements scale. We need to look into data, technology, interoperability and where there might be financing gaps regarding reimbursement. A lot of what we’re doing at The Milken Institute is looking at what the future might hold and planning for the next steps if these policies pass.

How would you recommend health plans consider the allocation of financial responsibility for Food is Medicine when there are already federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in place?

Holly: When we talk about SNAP, we’re talking about providing supplemental amounts of food that lessen the probability of hunger. SNAP ensures that people do not have to skip meals, but it doesn’t necessarily meet a need when we’re talking about health outcomes and treating disease. Food is Medicine should never replace federal nutrition assistance programs; I see it more as an opportunity to stack benefits. For example, for those on SNAP, we know that by definition, supplemental food only means enough to not be hungry, but the amount of supplemental food provided may not be enough to treat someone in a diseased state.

How can technology, such as telehealth and mobile applications, be utilized to support and empower members in their “Food Is Medicine” journey?

Holly: We’re already seeing quite a bit of movement in this space. For example, we’ve seen some more FiM companies coming on the scene to help with interoperability. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other third parties are beginning to understand the significance that they play in providing the data they receive back to health plans; however, I don’t believe all of the dots have been connected yet. One of the things that The Milken Institute is learning in our most recent findings related to the role of pharmacies is that pharmacies understand how to stay HIPAA compliant, but oftentimes, those at the front of the store aren’t able to report back to health plans. In addition, there is the issue of ensuring that pharmacists have access to the information they need to provide a patient with the care outlined, and then going the step further would be making sure that the pharmacist is able to communicate to the Registered Dietitian all that they should know.

Ryan: Aeroflow realized that with our close proximity to patients, we could be an integrator of all the moving pieces and touchpoints that often the health plan or provider doesn’t have the opportunity to do. We’re able to synthesize data points within our own system with the patients that we’re servicing and then package up that data to give to health plans. To Holly’s earlier point, in our business, we’re not very connected with pharmacies, and truthfully, it could be beneficial for the Aeroflow clinical team to have the data from pharmacies as they assist and navigate patient circumstances. On the flip side, though, our teams have so much information that we could share back with providers, health plans, and the rest of a patient’s care team; it’s just a matter of navigating the process of making that a reality. For example, when Aeroflow Diabetes is working with a patient to optimize their CGM device and get them set up with our Registered Dietitian, we gather a lot of patient data that a health plan could use to be a closer care partner than they would be otherwise.

What is Aeroflow Health doing to provide nutrition support to members who are in-network?

Sophie: Aeroflow Health is now offering Aeroflow Nutrition Services, a medical nutrition therapy program for patients with chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes. We offer one-on-one and group sessions to empower patients to utilize food to improve their health. Patients meet with a Registered Dietitian and work on dietary changes that can help them lose weight, reduce their A1C, and lower their risk for heart disease. Aeroflow just released a blog that covers in detail what the program includes and how they are trying to be a part of the greater nutrition solution. If you are wanting to learn more, you can check out the blog here.

To learn more about how Aeroflow partners with health plans to provide nutrition services, schedule time with our team.

Schedule now

Michael Cantor, M.D.

Dr. Mike Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney who has extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He works as a fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Healthcare, Uber Health, and other technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations and digital health companies. Previous roles include: CMO for Bright Health Plan, an innovative health insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post- acute care benefits manager recently acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

Ryan Bullock

Ryan serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Aeroflow Health, a premier nationwide provider of durable medical equipment. In his current position, Ryan oversees strategic operations, corporate development and government relations. For over 14 years, Ryan has provided exceptional leadership, management and vision to Aeroflow, resulting in incredible growth and profitability for the company. Ryan holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Electronic Engineering from Western Carolina University and resides with his family in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.

Holly Freishtat

Holly Freishtat is the senior director of Feeding Change at The Milken Institute. Ms. Freishtat is the Senior Director of Feeding Change with The Milken Institute. She is an experienced director, transformative leader, and strategist with a 20-year track record developing and implementing food system policies and programs. Holly served as Baltimore City’s first Food Policy Director and Chief of Food Policy & Planning, where she founded and directed the Baltimore Food Policy Initiative. Holly spent over a decade building an equitable and resilient food environment by creating policies and programs that directly impact health & economic disparities. As a result, Baltimore City has become internationally renowned for innovative food governance and leadership. Holly has received national and international recognition for her public speaking skills and food systems expertise. She has presented at 125 international and national speaking engagements and has been interviewed by CNN, NBC, Huffington Post, Politico, and the Associated Press. In addition, Holly has been awarded numerous accolades for her contributions to food systems, including the Mayor's Medallion for Meritorious Service Award, Maryland Daily Record’s Top 100 women, and the 2016 Milan Urban Food Policy Pact Award. Freishtat has served as a food systems strategist, agricultural marketing director, nutrition educator, and grower. She holds an M.S. in Agriculture, Food, and Environment from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University, a B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Vermont, and an executive certificate from Carey Business School.

Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, LDN, NBC-HWC

Written by Kristin Polson, Aeroflow Health

Reviewed for accuracy by Amanda Minimi, Aeroflow Health

In early parenthood, few experiences rival the importance and intimacy of breastfeeding. At Aeroflow, we recognize this journey’s profound impact on both parent and child, so we advocate for including lactation classes as an essential component of comprehensive maternal care. These online classes serve as invaluable resources, equipping new parents with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to navigate the complexities of breastfeeding successfully. From understanding lactation physiology to mastering proper latch techniques, our classes provide a solid foundation upon which parents can build a nurturing bond with their infants. Moreover, by offering guidance on pump selection, postpartum support, and practical caregiving tips, we aim to empower parents to overcome challenges and embrace the joys of breastfeeding with clarity and assurance. With offerings available in both English and Spanish, we strive to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all, fostering a community where every parent feels supported on their unique breastfeeding journey.

Aeroflow supports lactation classes through its robust network of lactation and doula support providers located in all 50 states via telehealth. Our classes cover a variety of topics which include:

Babycare

Our comprehensive newborn care class, tailored for breastfeeding families, covers essential techniques such as bathing, diapering, and feeding cues. Our session also includes guidance on umbilical cord care and baby nail trimming. Additionally, discover the benefits of babywearing for breastfeeding success and parent-baby bonding with hands-on demonstrations and safety tips on various carrier types.

Breastfeeding/Pumping

Our range of classes supports new parents in their breastfeeding journey, with sessions covering essential newborn care, babywearing techniques, lactation and breastfeeding support. These classes provide practical guidance on pump selection, overcoming breastfeeding obstacles, and fostering a supportive community. Aeroflow’s classes empower parents with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful and fulfilling breastfeeding experience.

Childbirth Prep

Aeroflow’s Childbirth Prep Series offers classes tailored to expectant parents, providing evidence-based information on childbirth and breastfeeding. These classes explore the impact of birth events on breastfeeding and empower parents with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful breastfeeding journey. Additionally, sessions include discussions on preparing for childbirth, including vaginal birth and cesarean section, ensuring parents feel confident and supported throughout their birthing experience.

Infant Feeding & Sleep

Aeroflow’s Infant Feeding classes offer valuable guidance on introducing solid foods to breastfed babies, emphasizing age-appropriate choices and maintaining breastmilk supply. Additionally, our Infant Sleep sessions provide essential information on fostering healthy sleep habits for breastfed babies, including recognizing sleep cues and establishing routines that maximize rest for the entire family.

Maternity Leave

This class provides lactating moms with strategies for navigating their maternity leave successfully, whether working on-site or remotely. The class offers guidance on advocating for lactation needs at work, creating pumping schedules, and developing feeding plans to maintain the breastfeeding relationship between mom and baby.

Aeroflow’s lactation classes, when covered, are offered to patients as part of their Aeroflow Breastpumps experience when shopping for a breast pump. A member completes our Qualify Through Insurance form online, shops for their breast pump and selects classes that are of interest to them. It is that easy!

To add this offering for your members, contact our team today!

Amanda Minimi

Amanda Minimi serves as the director of Corporate Development at Aeroflow Health. In her role, Amanda oversees business development activities, program development, and payor solutions across all lines of business, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the commercial market. As the Director of Corporate Development, she leads a team of skilled individuals focused on business development, advocacy, and business support.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 31). Breastfeeding report card. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm

Haley Bennett, MPH

In observance of Public Health Week 2024, this review underscores the imperative need for equitable healthcare access across the United States. Especially in expansive rural landscapes, the demand for accessible and equitable healthcare is evident. We will explore the strategic integration of telehealth appointments conducted by lactation consultants and doulas, as well as shed light on the consequential challenges posed by the lack of telehealth coverage by insurance companies. Embark on a journey to explore how telehealth is breaking down barriers and providing a lifeline for rural communities facing the unique challenges of lactation support.

Unraveling the Rural Health Dilemma

Rural communities face unique challenges in accessing high-quality healthcare, highlighted by the 2022 findings from the March of Dimes Maternity Care Desert Report. While not explicitly addressing lactation concerns, the report underscores the overall inadequacy of maternal support nationwide. As featured in the CDC’s 2022 report, it is clear that there has been a substantial decline in breastfeeding during the initial six months of an infant’s life. This underscores the necessity for improved assistance to mothers on their breastfeeding journey, extending beyond the hospital setting well into the postpartum period.

Picture a small town where the nearest lactation consultant is hours away, posing a daunting challenge for new mothers. The lack of accessible support services leaves these women feeling isolated, navigating the intricacies of breastfeeding on their own. This rural health dilemma is not just a statistic; it’s the real narrative of people striving for the best possible start for their infants.

In this landscape with scarce connectivity and limited resources, traditional support falls short. Mothers yearn for expert advice, reassurance, and a sense of community beyond geographic boundaries. Here, telehealth emerges as a beacon of hope, crafting a new story of inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment.

Geographic Isolation:

Geographically isolated rural areas pose significant barriers for residents accessing healthcare, particularly expectant mothers. As explained in a 2023 Ballard Brief written by David Clove. Residents travel twice as far as their urban counterparts to access healthcare, encountering challenges such as further facility proximity, lack of transportation, and communication barriers. These issues, compounded by socioeconomic factors, emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare solutions, intensifying struggles, especially concerning lactation.

Scarce Resources:

Geographically isolated rural areas, characterized by extensive distances and low population density, present substantial challenges for expectant mothers accessing healthcare. The logistical hurdles, including limited facility proximity, transportation constraints, and communication barriers, underscore the need for urgent and accessible healthcare solutions, exacerbating difficulties, particularly in lactation support.

Shortage of Medical Professionals:

The shortage of medical professionals, particularly in breastfeeding and prenatal education, poses a critical challenge in rural areas, straining healthcare resources and limiting options for expectant mothers. A National Library of Medicine article reveals the impractical time demands for primary care physicians, which are typically the only available options in rural areas. This further contributes to adverse health outcomes and increased healthcare costs for both mothers and infants.The absence of telehealth and mandated nurse-to-patient ratios compounds the issue, potentially leaving some mothers without adequate support during labor. This substantial deficit in medical professionals, especially in preventative medicine, plays a pivotal role in the widespread healthcare challenge in rural areas.

Insurance Coverage for Telehealth Services:

Insufficient insurance coverage for telehealth services poses a significant barrier, particularly impacting expectant mothers in rural areas as they navigate healthcare challenges. The lack of comprehensive policies for telehealth, covering services like lactation consultants and doula care, creates a substantial obstacle, hindering access to vital virtual consultations. This limitation not only obstructs lactation and doula support but extends to various aspects of maternal care, encompassing routine virtual appointments and preventative measures.

The Potential of Telehealth: Enhancing Maternal Care Access

In an era where Medicaid covers 42% of US births, telehealth lactation providers are adopting an equity-driven approach to enhance maternal care access. Serving as a catalyst, telehealth not only bridges geographical divides but also tackles healthcare disparities for expectant mothers in underserved regions. This innovative solution facilitates virtual consultations, connecting mothers with healthcare providers and delivering essential prenatal care, lactation consulting, and preventive services.

As telehealth becomes more accessible, its potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve overall maternal care is increasingly evident. Engaging in virtual consultations with a doula has been shown to substantially lower C-section rates. A recent study indicates when mothers who have previously undergone a C-section, and engage in two or more doula visits virtually, their odds of having another cesarean are reduced by 60%. (Maven, 2023).

This exciting discovery suggests that virtual consultations have the potential to yield similar positive impacts as in-person visits. We strongly encourage insurance companies to consider incorporating telehealth as a legitimate avenue for care, recognizing its ability to address maternal healthcare challenges and contribute to a more inclusive and cohesive approach.

Strategies for Policy Change: Advocating for Inclusive Telehealth Coverage

Recognizing the distinctive challenges faced by expectant mothers in rural America, this section emphasizes the importance of comprehensive insurance coverage for telehealth services and outlines actionable strategies for policy reform that address the multifaceted healthcare needs of rural communities. Engaging in crucial conversations, fostering community involvement, and forging collaborative partnerships emerge as pivotal strategies.

Advocating for Evidence-Based Lactation and Doula Coverage via Telehealth:

Promote evidence-based maternal services that harness the transformative capabilities of telehealth
Highlight success stories of mothers who have obtained access to care through telehealth and have obtained tangible outcomes, resulting in reduced maternal healthcare costs.
Collaborate with your community partners: healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers to develop telehealth guidelines tailored to the needs of expectant mothers in rural areas.

Supporting Telehealth Reimbursement Approaches in Policies

Survey your healthcare providers and obtain feedback on what they feel an ideal policy would be. (i.e provider type, reimbursement rates, cpt codes, etc.).
Review policies in neighboring states for barriers and/ or policy replication
Collaborate with policymakers to create financial incentives for insurance companies that adopt inclusive telehealth coverage.

Expanding Specialized Providers in Maternal Care:

Advocate for the expansion of specialized telehealth providers focused on maternal care in rural regions (Doula, Lactation Consultants, Midwives, etc.)
Collaborate with board associations and doula certification organizations to encourage the expansion of RN licensing and Doula certification recognition within their state.
Propose incentives or grants to attract specialized providers to underserved rural areas, ensuring a robust network of professionals offering comprehensive maternal care services both in person and via telehealth.

Implementation of these strategies actively contributes to reshaping policies that foster inclusive telehealth coverage. This initiative envisions a future where maternal care in rural America is more accessible and equitable, aligning with the goals and responsibilities of legislation and policy makers.

An Evolving Landscape of Unity and Accessible Care

As we conclude our exploration of the transformative landscape of telehealth in maternal care, a vision of unified and accessible healthcare, particularly in rural America, takes center stage. The collaborative efforts of dedicated advocates and individual initiatives have not only highlighted challenges in rural care deserts but have also charted a strategic path forward. Despite obstacles, the steadfast belief endures that every expectant individual deserves comprehensive and equitable healthcare, regardless of their location or financial circumstances.

If you would like more information regarding how you can advocate and build health equity for your members through telehealth, please email our Strategic Partnerships team at strategic.partnerships@aeroflowinc.com or schedule time with us below.

Schedule Now

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 31). Breastfeeding report card. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm

Clove, D. (2023, August 2). Healthcare access disparities among rural populations in the United States. Ballard Brief. https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/healthcare-access-disparities-among-rural-populations-in-the-united-states

March of Dimes. (n.d.). Medicaid Coverage of Births: United States, 2020. March of Dimes | PeriStats. https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/data?reg=99&top=11&stop=154&lev=1&slev=1&obj=18

Maternity Care Deserts Report. March of Dimes. (n.d.). https://www.marchofdimes.org/maternity-care-deserts-report#:~:text=U.S.%20(2022%20REPORT)-,NOWHERE%20TO%20GO%3A%20MATERNITY%20CARE%20DESERTS%20ACROSS%20THE%20U.S.%20(2022,care%20and%20no%20obstetric%20providers

Maven Clinic. (n.d.). Association Between Doula use on a Digital Health Platform… : Obstetrics & Gynecology. Obstetrics & Gynecology. https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/fulltext/2024/02000/association_between_doula_use_on_a_digital_health.4.aspx

Porter, J., Boyd, C., Skandari, M. R., & Laiteerapong, N. (2023, January). Revisiting the time needed to provide adult primary care. Journal of general internal medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9848034/

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, Chief Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Health.

Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “Data Driven Strategies: Harnessing The Unanticipated Power of Partnerships In Value-Based Care,” to discover the opportunities Aeroflow Health brings to health plan value-based care initiatives. From tailored strategic alignment and seamless data integration to quality measures, innovative solutions, and cost-effective strategies, we’re dedicated to exceeding expectations. For a deeper understanding and comprehensive insights, don’t miss the chance to watch the webinar playback.

How can health plans effectively collaborate with their provider community, including DME providers, to ensure a seamless and coordinated approach to delivering value-based care?

Amanda: Immediately, I think of the phrase “building a care team,” and I think it’s essential to recognize that there are multiple providers that play a part in a patient’s care journey. In our experience, as a DME, we’ve seen patient journey mapping to be very helpful in the collaboration process. Understanding who the patient is engaging with and when they are doing so, helps us to pinpoint patient journeys that have gone well that we would want to try and duplicate and also those who haven’t had a positive journey, so that we can understand where gaps in care might be present. I believe many solutions are in place that ensure a seamless and coordinated care approach, and when health plans look at unlikely providers like DME, there are more significant resources that can be tapped into.

Ryan: Opening up lines of communication with health plans and DME suppliers is crucial. When health plans understand the touch points that we have with the patients as the medical equipment supplier, and vice versa, when we as the DME understand the journey from a health plan perspective, the patient is able to receive a holistic continuum of care. One way in particular that Aeroflow Health approaches this topic is by providing integrated solutions where and when the patient wants to be met. We also have seen this come into play regarding “notification of pregnancy.” In many cases, we are able to partner early with these moms in their maternal journey and provide resources like breast pumps and education. For example, I know that through our partnership with Sentara Health, we’ve been able to impact many mothers.

Could you share examples or success stories where health plans have successfully integrated DME providers into their value-based care initiatives, resulting in improved patient outcomes?

Kate: Sentara has had a very successful partnership with Aeroflow, specifically with our Mom & Baby program. One of the many advantages has been receiving member- level data, which has allowed us to reach out in a more timely manner and actively engage our members where they are. Receiving ongoing data like “notification of pregnancy” has been huge for us. This has helped us know when to reach out to members and engage them with our programs regarding breastfeeding and other additional educational resources. Aeroflow and Sentara’s goals align, and this has allowed us to utilize and leverage the information we receive. We want positive patient experiences for all of our members, so when we hear that our partnership with Aeroflow is closing gaps in care like breast pump utilization and education on breastfeeding that leads to moms being able to breastfeed in their desired timeframe, we’re thrilled. Being able to partner with Aeroflow in a member’s journey from conception to post-partum has allowed Sentara to offer programs of longevity.

Amanda: To piggyback off Kate, Aeroflow has been able to do more than just provide a data feed; we’re able to extend trust by notifying patients that they are going to be receiving outreach from their health plan partner. This warm handoff encourages and facilitates better engagement and provides a sense of empowerment for patients. The secondary piece is collaboration. Early on, we discussed with Sentara the pieces of communication that they wanted their members to be aware of, and Aeroflow was able to provide that wraparound service for them.

How can health plans leverage data and analytics to gain insights into the patient journey and identify opportunities for collaboration with DME providers to enhance the overall quality of care?

Amanda: I think notifications of pregnancy are just the start. When we map out the patient journey, the points of follow-up are made clear, and health plans and DMEs are able to see the gaps in care where we as a team can collaborate to intervene. Health literacy, in particular, is a huge opportunity for collaboration. Most people don’t understand insurance at a fundamental level, and Aeroflow has really been able to step in the gap to help educate patients and provide resources that make the often stressful circumstances less uncomfortable.

Lauren: Not only has Aeroflow Health been dedicated to providing patients with the supplies they need, like breast pumps and CPAP devices, but we’ve also been a partner in education through transparency that has built trust. We do the heavy lifting for patients as far as working with their insurance plan provider and determining the services and supplies that they are eligible for through their insurance. We’re able to lay out in a clear, concise manner what benefits are available and then provide any counseling or education they need along the way in their choices. We’ve also been able to learn what modality of communication is best for patients which we are able to relay to health plans to assist in their engagement strategies. We help health plans meet their members where and how they would prefer.

What do health plans have to gain by partnering with DME providers?

Amanda: DME vendors are definitely the unexpected partner. This is unfortunate as DME’s are one of the most engaged partners in care for patients. There is a great opportunity for health plans to build bridges of trust between the patient, health plan and medical equipment provider.

Ryan: Trust in healthcare is very important when it comes to the continuum of care for patients. When health plans choose to collaborate and open lines of communication with the DME provider, the DME provider can help drive the health plans’ overarching engagement goals. DME providers often have valuable data such as social determinants of health, mental health assessments and more.

What are some challenges or barriers that health plans face when trying to align with the provider community, including the DME providers? What is being done to address these challenges?

Amanda: A couple of barriers come to mind. Often, we put so much emphasis on the financial model of value-based care models and so you’ll see like capitation or sole sourcing, which is of course the goal that we’re all marching after. We all want to have some financial gain and achievement that generates a lower cost to the patient and satisfies the providers and health plan partners, but where I believe we potentially hit some failures is when this becomes the key driver. When we don’t ask questions like, “what is the patient actually doing and how is the patient actually navigating through this?” it becomes a more substantial burden on our health plan partners. I think if we can look at who’s already in the markets, get an assessment of how they’re actually performing in those markets, what the perception by the provider, health plan and patient communities is and how they are all engaging together, I think that’ll give us a good indicator of who we should be pursuing a value-based partnership with. We spend a lot of time looking into complaints and overall satisfaction levels instead of looking deeper into data like Net Promoter Scores and other reports of patient satisfaction. I also think there has to be some sort of reward mechanism that incentivizes a positive experience. It takes a team being aligned on goals to achieve well-rounded care.

Kate: I think some of the obvious challenges and barriers include communication, collaboration and goal alignment. As a health plan, we want to see increased patient engagement and member experience but we also want more positive health outcomes.
A part of this is increasing access for the members to get what they need and that’s where a DME plays a crucial part. If a patient doesn’t have access to the products and supplies they need, they are unable to meet their care goals. Years ago, when Sentara was researching providers that could supply products and coinciding programs that had a wraparound care approach, we found Aeroflow. This really led to our decision of partnership.

Lauren: Over the course of healthcare history, it’s not been common for patients to have a lot of choice as it relates to healthcare. Aeroflow understands this sore spot and has built out experiences for patients where they can feel in control of their health journey. For example, for those who choose to breastfeed, selecting a breast pump is an incredibly personal decision, and we understand the value of giving moms the choice of which breast pump suits their individual needs. Another piece of this is the additional piece of being able to provide lactation support and education via telehealth. Aeroflow is able to bridge the gap here. The convenience of utilizing these services leads to more moms needing the education they need to start breastfeeding or to continue even when difficulties arise.

Can you provide insights into the role of technology in facilitating communication and collaboration between health plans and their provider community, especially DME providers, to deliver more patient-centric and value-based care?

Lauren: Technology has made our processes more efficient for both our patients and customer service teams. It has also allowed us the time and flexibility to provide more of a white-glove solution for our patients that aren’t as comfortable with technology. We’ve been able to put more intentional time and care towards that more at-risk patient base and make sure they aren’t lost in the process.

To learn more about how Aeroflow partners with health plans to provide value-based care solutions, subscribe to our email communications here.

Michael Cantor, M.D.

Dr. Mike Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney who has extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He works as a fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Healthcare, Uber Health, and other technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations and digital health companies. Previous roles include: CMO for Bright Health Plan, an innovative health
insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post- acute care benefits manager recently acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

Ryan Bullock

Ryan serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Aeroflow Health, a premier nationwide provider of durable medical equipment. In his current position, Ryan oversees strategic operations, corporate development and government relations. For over 14 years, Ryan has provided exceptional leadership, management and vision to Aeroflow, resulting in incredible growth and profitability for the company. Ryan holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Electronic Engineering from Western Carolina University and resides with his family in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.

Amanda Minimi

Kate Maas

Kate Maas has focused her nearly 20-year career specializing in Medicaid populations. She is the Manager of Marketing, Development and Outreach at Sentara Health Plans–Virginia’s largest Medicaid plan. She has held health plan and managed care leadership roles for the past 12 years. With a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the joint Eastern Virginia Medical School and Old Dominion University program, Kate is an expert in maternal and child health, as well as program development for member and community engagement.

Lauren Bennett

Written by Kristin Polson

Senior Marketing Manager

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Ryan Bullock, Chief Strategy Officer

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made significant changes to the ordering process for positive airway pressure (PAP) and respiratory assist device (RAD) supplies. These changes, outlined in a Dear Physician Letter from the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) Medical Directors, aim to simplify the Standard Written Order (SWO) for supplies. This landmark change underscores the dedication CMS has towards reducing administrative barriers that prevent access to care.

The update encourages physicians to use general descriptions like “CPAP Mask” or “Mask – Fit to Comfort” to accommodate mask variations without requiring a new SWO for each change. This flexibility not only reduces administrative burdens by ordering providers and DME suppliers but also ensures patients receive the most suitable masks and supplies without delays.

Flexibility for Physicians:

Physicians are now freed from the previous obligation to specify the mask type (e.g., full-face mask, nasal mask, nasal cushions, etc.) when prescribing items such as PAP devices and their associated components. This change allows physicians to issue a more general prescription, reducing the need for extensive communication with DME suppliers as patients explore different mask options.

Impact on Patient Adherence:

Aligning the SWO with more generic terms fosters a patient-centric approach, guaranteeing convenient access to the most suitable mask without delays caused by providers seeking updated documentation.

Addressing Supplier Concerns:

The SWO requires all items that will be billed must be separately listed on the prescription. It states, “For supplies – In addition to the description of the base item, the DMEPOS order/prescription may include all concurrently ordered supplies that are separately billed (list each separately)” Both the mask and the interface must be listed separately. However, the interface can/should be listed as “Mask Interface” instead of “Mask Cushions.” Mask interface allows suppliers to bill either pillow or cushion whereas “Mask Cushions” limits suppliers to providing cushions only.

These updates from CMS represent a significant step forward in streamlining the ordering process for PAP and RAD supplies. Aeroflow Health remains committed to championing the broader adoption of these updated policies across more health plans. These changes, aimed at reducing administrative burdens and promoting patient adherence, align with the goals and objectives shared by our health plan partners.We are excited to see the positive impact these updates will have on patient care and look forward to continuing to work together to improve health outcomes for all.

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Written by Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, LDN, NBC-HWC

Registered Dietitian for Aeroflow Health

Nutrition plays a significant role in health and Americans are becoming increasingly aware of its importance. The prevalence of chronic disease is forcing a shift in focus towards nutrition, giving rise to the ‘Food Is Medicine’ movement, into the spotlight as Americans look to avoid medications and take their health into their own hands. What we eat is directly tied to our health outcomes. However, there seems to be a lack of understanding about what foods in our diet are detrimental to our health.

The Standard American Diet is high in:

Saturated fat
Excess calories
Red meat
Sodium
Processed foods
Refined grains
Added sugars

The calorie-dense and nutritionally depleted nature of the Standard American Diet is a significant contributing factor to the over two-thirds of Americans who are overweight or obese. This diet also plays a significant role in the increase in chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Looking at the top ten leading causes of death in the US, heart disease and cancer are the top two. Type 2 diabetes, also on the list, is not far behind.

This dietary pattern is illustrated in a 2010 report from the National Cancer Institute showing that nearly the entire US consumes a diet that does not adhere to the current dietary recommendations. Over 75% of men and women of all ages were estimated to be eating a diet below the recommended intake of fruit and almost 90% of men and women were below the recommended intake of vegetables. These numbers come with great consequences. An unhealthy diet contributes to approximately 678,000 deaths each year in the U.S.

The Current Nutrition Landscape and Type 2 Diabetes

Thirty-eight million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes (90-95% being type 2 diabetes) another 1.2 million are diagnosed every year. For many patients, receiving a diabetes diagnosis can be life-changing. Having diabetes puts you at a higher risk for comorbidities, or having multiple medical conditions at once. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke compared to someone without. High blood sugar, which is a key characteristic of diabetes, can damage your blood vessels and nerves over time. Uncontrolled diabetes and persistent high glucose levels can lead to blindness, amputations, kidney disease, sexual dysfunction, infections, and poor wound healing.

To prevent and effectively manage type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases, nutrition education must be prioritized.. Unfortunately, the general lack of awareness and access to nutrition education only furthers the growing numbers of those living with chronic diseases.. Barriers like finances, insurance coverage and dietician availability all lend to the growing challenge for patients to receive the nutrition counseling they need. Additionally, those who are overweight or obese may have had negative experiences with a medical professional when discussing their weight and diet that has created a fear or stigma around discussing their health with a professional.

An Emerging Solution – Medical Nutrition Therapy

Medical nutrition therapy is an evidence-based, client-driven process for managing or treating medical conditions through nutrition. Medical nutrition therapy is delivered by a Registered Dietitian.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who:

Have a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program
Complete a supervised practice requirement
Pass a national exam
Continue professional development throughout their careers.

This title ensures that the professional has adequate training and provides evidence-based interventions. Importantly, titles like “nutritionist” don’t require any specific education or training. The Registered Dietitian assesses a patient’s nutritional status, recommends dietary changes, and supports the patient through counseling strategies that promote long-term behavior change.

The Benefits of Medical Nutrition Therapy for a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes

Medical nutrition therapy and lifestyle intervention improve conditions like obesity, inactivity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Diabetes is a chronic disease where dietary and physical activity interventions can make a measurable impact. Type 2 diabetes can be well managed and even put into remission with quality diet and exercise.

For patients with diabetes, it may feel like there’s no right answer when grocery shopping, planning meals, and dining out. They may feel isolated from family and friends due to different dietary needs and may develop fears of food due to misinformation about certain food groups. Also, people who are overweight or obese often are assigned stigmas due to their weight and navigating day-to-day life in settings built for smaller-bodied people can be physically challenging.

Registered Dietitians partner with patients and help them achieve key habits including:

A diet rich in whole grains, lean protein, fiber, and plant foods
A diet low in saturated fat, sodium, and meat
Mild to moderate weight loss
150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity
Stress reduction
Familial, professional, and community support

Registered Dietitians meet patients where they are and help them work towards sustainable lifestyle changes. These changes are transformative for reducing the risk of disease complications and increasing quality of life. More insurance plans are covering medical nutrition therapy, making this life-changing service increasingly available.

Aeroflow Nutrition Services

At Aeroflow Health, we recognize the need for increased access to nutrition education and empower patients to support their health. Personalized medical nutrition therapy helps patients manage chronic disease and prevent complications in a way that works for their lifestyle. This growing gap in care spurred our teams to launch Aeroflow Nutrition Services.

Aeroflow Nutrition Services, initially targeting patients with type 2 diabetes, will simplify and support nutrition counseling by providing patients with access to a Registered Dietitian, often with zero out-of-pocket costs.

Patients will receive a transparent, compassionate customer experience from a Registered Dietitian. During sessions, detailed notes will be recorded and available for the patient’s complete medical team. Aeroflow’s team has a keen understanding of insurance that allows patients to utilize their full insurance benefits to their advantage. We remove the stress associated with finding a qualified Registered Dietitian who accepts their insurance plan. From the start, patients will be made aware of how many visits are covered and all care is also provided via telehealth, alleviating the need to travel to a provider’s office. Additionally, with Aeroflow Health’s network, patients can also get connected to additional products and supplies for diabetes, incontinence, blood pressure monitoring, sleep apnea, and wound care.

The program will expand to provide group medical nutrition therapy sessions, around topics such as introductory nutrition, heart health, and weight loss. Group-based sessions will allow patients to learn key nutrition concepts in a supportive and interactive environment of their peers with a Registered Dietitian facilitator. Aeroflow Nutrition Services’ next phase will expand to see patients with a variety of medical concerns, carrying out our mission of providing nutrition education to as many patients as possible.

To learn how Aeroflow Health can support your members and gain more insights, subscribe to our communications.

Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, LDN, NBC-HWC

Sophie Lauver is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach passionate about helping people take control of their health and get excited about nutrition. Sophie has a Bachelor's degree in Communication from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree in Dietetics from Eastern Michigan University. Sophie has worked in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation, and wellness technology, and most recently, served as the director of the nation's largest diabetes prevention program. Sophie lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband, infant son, and their two dogs and two cats. When she’s not working with clients, she enjoys cooking, not doing dishes, trying new restaurants, and spending time being active outside (especially on warm and sunny days).

References

https://nccd.cdc.gov/dnpao_dtm/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=DNPAO_DTM.ExploreByTopic&islClass=OWS&islTopic=&go=GO

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2937576/

https://www.healthdata.org/

https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/statistics/about-diabetes

Amanda Minimi, MSBA

Director of Corporate Development at Aeroflow Health

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, MD, JD, Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Health.

The US healthcare system has long struggled to create a fair and efficient payment model that supports the needs of patients and rewards payers and providers for providing high-quality care that results in the best health outcomes. Accelerating the tension between efficiency and quality is the pressure to slow and reduce rapidly growing healthcare costs.

Health insurance as we generally think of it today began in the 1930s with the Great Depression. Previously, coverage was less related to health insurance but would be similar to what we refer to was disability insurance today. Until the creation of those health insurance models health care was paid for through “fee for service” (FFS) models where providers received payments when they provided services. Health insurance shielded patients from high and often unexpected health costs, but the lack of incentives to provide comprehensive care led to the development of new approaches. A good example of this new approach is the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model, launched by a group of pediatricians who focused on meeting the needs of sick children who required coordination in navigating between the various specialists responsible for treating their care.

In the 1970s the term Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) was coined by Dr. Paul Ellwood. HMOs offered comprehensive care within a designated provider network in exchange for fixed annual payments, a very different approach than the traditional FFS model. The use of capitated payments created a fixed budget for healthcare expenditures, which incentivized provider network to coordinate care and deliver preventive medicine. HMOs delivered promising but variable results in inpatient care cost reduction.

In an effort to contain inpatient costs, another VBC model was popularized: The Diagnosis Related Grouping (DRG). First piloted in New Jersey, the DRG consisted of a bundled payment made to hospitals for an episode of inpatient acute care, regardless of what the episode actually cost to

deliver. The development of the DRG took into consideration the kinds of care required to produce positive outcomes while avoiding unnecessary costs. This incentivized providers to deliver appropriate level care while minimizing waste.

The HMO model was adapted to Medicare in 1982 by the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) which established Medicare Part C (now called Medicare Advantage). The following year Medicare policy changed to permit use of DRGs. TEFRA provided new incentives for HMO’s to enroll Medicare beneficiaries on an at-risk basis.

Despite these efforts to manage growing Medicare costs, the 1997 Balanced Budget Act’s (BBA) reduced Medicare rates. This change, coupled with years of minimal payment increases, left hospital systems with low margins, physicians facing burnout, and bankruptcies among health management and delivery organizations. As Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) experienced their own “profitability crisis,” consumer and physician backlash emerged because the general public viewed commercial managed care as responsible for turning physicians into profit-driven entrepreneurs who withheld necessary care to maximize margin. This backlash caused a sharp decline in HMO plans, and fee-for-service payment models became even more dominant. The result is that instead of payers, providers and patients working together, misaligned incentives led to ongoing battles.

In 2006, scholars Michael Porter and Elizabeth Olmsted Teisberg coined the term Value-Based Care in their landmark book Redefining Healthcare. They argued that competition in healthcare should be based on value to the patient instead of shifting costs, increasing bargaining power or restricting services, and that patients should be empowered and remain at the center of health care.

In 2010, after over 75 years of efforts to increase access to affordable and nearly universal health insurance the Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced comprehensive reforms to expand access and promote value-based principles.

Through the ACA, a new division of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was created, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), which is focused on developing and testing new payment methodologies (Alternative Payment Models (APMs)). CMMI focuses on improving patient experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing per-capita cost of healthcare: the Triple Aim.

Because of their mandate to support innovation and new payment models, CMMI has proposed and tested several innovative models. In 2011, President Obama began advocating for Accountable

Care Organizations (ACOs) for Medicare and Medicaid. ACOs are integrated networks of doctors, hospitals, and other medical care providers that work together with a goal of reducing costs and, if the ACO meets certain benchmarks for quality and costs, it could receive bonuses from the government. The model incentivizes providers to collaborate together and rewards success. ACOs have saved billions of dollars in Medicare costs, and have been adopted by some commercial insurers.

The evolution of VBC payment models continued in April of 2015 with the signing of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) into law. MACRA introduced the Quality Payment Program (QPP) in 2015. This program incentivizes healthcare providers to prioritize quality and value through the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs). MACRA changed the way Medicare physicians are reimbursed and increased funding. It incentivized the use of health information technology by physicians and other providers.

In 2023, the Biden Administration set an ambitious goal which would mark the 100 year journey of insurance: to transition every individual to a value-based model by 2030. The imminent deadline is rapidly approaching while new models are continuing to grow and evolve.

One area that has not changed over the past 100 years is the ebb and flow of incentives among payers, providers, and patients. A clear lesson from this time is that it is critical to appropriately align financial incentives and empower patients to make optimal healthcare decisions. Initiatives that tie health plans and provider organizations together to empower the patient show promising results in improving patient outcomes and delivering true value-based care.

Stay informed and empowered with the latest insights from Aeroflow Health on revolutionizing healthcare through value-based care. Subscribe to our email communications to explore how we leverage value-based care models, drive positive outcomes, and navigate the dynamic landscape of healthcare transformation.

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Amanda Minimi, MSBA

References

Morrisey, M. (2013) Health Insurance, Second Edition. Health Administration Press.

O’Dell, M. L. (2016). What is a patient-centered medical home?. Missouri medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6139911/

Toner, R. (1993, February 28). Hillary Clinton’s Potent Brain Trust on Health Reform. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/28/business/hillary-clinton-s-potent-brain-trust-on-health-reform.html

Dhanani, N., O’Leary, J. F., Keeler, E., Bamezai, A., & Melnick, G. (2004, October). The effect of hmos on the inpatient utilization of Medicare beneficiaries. Health services research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361086/

Kimberly, John; Pouvourville, Gerard de; d’Aunno, Thomas; D’Aunno, Thomas A. (2008-12-18). “Origins of DRGs in the United States: A technical, political and cultural story”. The Globalization of Managerial Innovation in Health Care. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521885003.

Mayes R. (2005). Medicare and America’s healthcare system in transition: from the death of managed care to the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and beyond. Journal of health law, 38(3), 391–422.

6 Key Milestones in the History of Full-Risk, Value-Based Care. (n.d.). Chenmed.com. Retrieved from https://www.chenmed.com/sites/default/files/2023-08/108208%20-%20CHENMED%20CORP%20-%20Infographic_%206%20Key%20Milestones%20in%20the%20History%20of%20Full%20Risk%2C%20Value-Based%20Care.pdf.

Forbes Magazine. (2011, March 1). ACOs are obama-speak for hmos. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/2011/02/28/obamacare-aco-hmo-opinions-sally-pipes.html?sh=1c95453b31dc

Value-based care is the future of healthcare. here is its origin story. Enlace Health Value-Based Healthcare. (2022, May 19). https://www.enlacehealth.com/value-based-care-is-the-future-of-healthcare-here-is-its-origin-story/#:~:text=A%20pioneering%20value%2Dbased%20model,several%20primary%20care%20accredited%20organizations.

Macra: MIPS & apms. CMS.gov. (n.d.). https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/value-based-programs/chip-reauthorization-act

Press releases CMS announces increase in 2023 in organizations and beneficiaries benefiting from coordinated care in accountable care relationship. CMS.gov Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-announces-increase-2023-organizations-and-beneficiaries-benefiting-coordinated-care-accountable

Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, LDN, NBC-HWC

Registered Dietitian for Aeroflow Health

Aeroflow Health recognizes the need for increased access to nutrition education and empowerment. This growing gap in care led our teams to launch Aeroflow Nutrition Services. We believe that personalized medical nutrition therapy not only aids in preventing long-term health complications but it also is one way that we as providers can extend a helping hand and come alongside you as you manage your chronic disease and strive for a healthy lifestyle.

At Aeroflow Health, we stand by your side as your unwavering healthcare partner, providing you access to top-notch medical essentials such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), breast pumps, incontinence products, and CPAP supplies – all covered through insurance. We recognize the distinct health journey you are on and believe it deserves nothing but the best. Our commitment extends beyond products; it’s about elevating health outcomes and bridging care gaps to ensure you receive the quality care you deserve. Our addition of Aeroflow Nutrition Services aligns seamlessly with our mission, reinforcing our dedication to serving you comprehensively with education on your wellness journey.

Aeroflow Nutrition Services – Our Why

Aeroflow Nutrition Services takes a patient-driven, whole-person approach. We explore individual’s unique health desires and needs and guide towards sustainable goals through the impactful method of motivational interviewing. Our philosophy is rooted in curiosity, aiming to empower you with knowledge that becomes a catalyst for positive change. Not only that but we understand the anxieties that can surround the topic of food, and so our mission is to reduce this stress and replace it with enthusiasm for a lifestyle centered on healthy eating and living. At Aeroflow, we take an evidence-based approach to weight loss, meaning we view health holistically on a macro scale rather than reducing it solely to weight. By simplifying concepts like meal planning and energy balance, we’re able to give you actionable nutrition tips for day-to-day living.

Medical Nutrition Therapy – Who Is It For & What Does It Entail?

Medical Nutrition Therapy is an evidence-based, client-driven process for managing or treating medical conditions through nutrition. Delivered by a Registered Dietitian, Aeroflow’s nutrition therapy program is designed to help those interested in understanding how nutrition can lead to a more sustainable and enjoyable lifestyle.

Do you feel anxiety and tension when trying to meal prep? What about feeling isolated from family and friends due to your different dietary needs? We get it. Our program has been built with all of these stressors in mind.

Registered Dietitians would come alongside you to help you achieve the following:

A diet rich in whole grains, lean protein, fiber, and plant-based foods
A diet low in saturated fat, sodium, and meat
Mild to moderate weight loss
A game-plan for 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity
Stress reduction
Familial, professional, and community support

We understand that your health story is the product of many lifestyle and genetic factors. To ensure our Registered Dieticians are able to craft treatment courses catered to your specific needs and goals, those who take part in the program undergo a comprehensive initial evaluation that helps provide a holistic health picture. During medical nutrition sessions, you have the opportunity to explore and discuss your comprehensive health profile, covering medical and nutrition history, sleep patterns, weight fluctuations and goals, stress management, hydration, and physical activity.

Some additional program highlights include:

Simple and personalized lifestyle tips to help build sustainable routines that lead to a more positive overall health experience, specifically for those living with diabetes
Evidence-based suggestions and support from a caring, creative, and non-judgemental Registered Dietitian
Guides to easy-to-prepare meals and snacks that leave you feeling satisfied
Reduced blood glucose/A1C levels
Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
Reduced cholesterol and blood pressure
Increased energy and confidence that will lead to less stress
Less anxiety around meal planning, grocery shopping, preparing meals, and going out to eat
Knowledge regarding trends and data based on your specific nutritional habits

Interested In Joining The Program?

Are you ready to take a step towards a healthier, more empowered you? We’d love to have a conversation with you. To explore Aeroflow Nutrition Services and how our personalized approach to medical nutrition therapy can support you in managing chronic diseases, building sustainable healthy habits, and achieving your unique health vision, click the “Learn More” button below to see if you qualify for this program for little or no cost through our insurance. Your journey to a healthier you starts here.

Learn more

Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, LDN, NBC-HWC

Sophie Lauver is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach passionate about helping people take control of their health and get excited about nutrition. Sophie has a Bachelor's degree in Communication from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree in Dietetics from Eastern Michigan University. Sophie has worked in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation, and wellness technology, and most recently, served as the director of the nation's largest diabetes prevention program. Sophie lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband, infant son, and their two dogs and two cats. When she’s not working with clients, she enjoys cooking, not doing dishes, trying new restaurants, and spending time being active outside (especially on warm and sunny days).

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Amanda Minimi, Director of Corporate Development for Aeroflow Health.

Health equity is a hot topic among many in the healthcare world. The term refers to the idea that everyone should have a fair and equal opportunity to achieve good health regardless of race, income or social status. In addition, health equity addresses the social, economic and environmental factors that impact a person’s well-being. As we look at solving health equity issues, it is imperative that we take a true population health approach recognizing that one size does not fit all and leverage new age tools, technology and resources to combat equity issues. This is where telehealth comes into play.

Telehealth Health Equity – Why It Matters

Telehealth leverages digital tools and technology to provide healthcare services remotely, enabling individuals to receive medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment without physical visits to healthcare facilities. Telehealth helps reach those in the underserved communities that would otherwise lack equal access to care.

Underserved communities often include:

Low income Americans
Rural Americans
People of color
Immigrants
People who identify as LGBTQ
People with disabilities
Older patients
People with limited knowledge of the English language
People with limited digital literacy
People who are underinsured or uninsured

Those who fall into any of the above categories often face consequences such as higher mortality rates, higher medical costs, higher rates of disease and more. Key drivers of these disproportionate consequences include lack of access to transportation, lack of access to appropriately skilled providers, or time to care.

For example, the journey of pregnancy into postpartum care can be both exciting and overwhelming for mothers. Telehealth can serve as a support system that offers convenience and reassurance all from the comfort of home. Virtual consultations from experts on prenatal care, lactation support and mental health, addresses any concerns or complications promptly while also addressing commonly cited challenges in breastfeeding such as lack of time due to childcare responsibilities, lack of finances, or doctor did not explain/ provide support. Telehealth opens a convenient avenue for integrated and comprehensive care that may otherwise be inaccessible. Lactation consults are regularly non-covered by lactation providers and require members to pay upwards of $300 per visit and seek reimbursement directly from the plan following the visit. Where telehealth is not available, breastfeeding becomes a luxury. However, there is both high levels of interest and engagement in utilizing services like lactation consultations via telehealth. Recent data from Aeroflow Breastpumps shows that 87% of their patients who qualify for lactation services and opt-in to telehealth were between the ages of 25 and 40, proving that mothers who are given the option of telehealth visits are very likely to take advantage of the resource.

Access to telehealth provides limitless solutions to a variety of patient needs from PAP therapy set-ups to nutrition counseling for managing diabetes, the possibilities are endless. Telehealth stands as a transformative force not just for patients but also for healthcare providers. Beyond offering convenience and accessibility to patients, telehealth becomes a strategic solution to address staffing shortages and combat physician burnout. By facilitating remote services, clinicians can efficiently monitor patients’ progress, ensuring timely interventions and keeping treatment plans dynamically updated. In this symbiotic relationship, telehealth emerges as a powerful tool for optimizing healthcare delivery and enhancing the overall well-being of both patients and providers.

Barriers to Telehealth

Though telehealth proves to be an ideal alternative for healthcare for many people, there are still a variety of barriers that keep this solution from meeting all people where they are.

Some of those barriers include:

Lack of coverage of telehealth benefits
Lack of coverage or provider types
Lack of listing in provider directory

According to the American Medical Association, 80% of health happens outside of the doctors office. In order to provide equitable health to everyone, healthcare and health plan professionals must adapt to meet the need.

How Health Plans Can Help

Aeroflow Health advocates for healthcare that is both easily accessible and sustainable. This commitment to accessible and convenient care is facilitated through telehealth services. While many health plans have implemented enhanced telehealth policies, promoting health equity involves continued recognition and iterations of improvement to telehealth access which includes regular monitoring of market trends and adaptation to them. These advancements are critical to expanding access to telehealth services in underserved communities. Healthcare providers and health plans together can promote health equity and achieve healthier outcomes by placing the patient in control and reaching the patient where they want to be met.

Health plans seeking exemplary models of successful telehealth implementation need not look further than Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) and Sunshine Health. BCBSOK, with its comprehensive telemedicine policy, allows providers under various benefit plans, including fully insured HMO and PPO plans, Blue Cross Medicare Advantage, and self-funded employer group plans, to leverage telehealth for enhanced member care. Although not explicitly stating parity with in-person services, their policy significantly expands coverage, offering flexibility within a diverse range of benefit plans. On the other hand, Sunshine Health, a part of Centene in Florida catering to Medicaid, stands out for its commitment to inclusivity. By covering telemedicine services to the same extent as in-person care, Sunshine Health ensures equitable access for all members, setting a benchmark for telehealth excellence.

Next Steps

In the face of healthcare access gaps, telehealth emerges as a beacon of hope, seamlessly bridging critical health disparities. While telehealth may not be essential for everyone, it offers an additional and proven option to meet individuals where they are on their health journey regardless of their circumstances. If you would like more information regarding how you can advocate and build health equity in your workplace and for your members through telehealth, please email our Strategic Partnerships team at strategic.partnerships@aeroflowinc.com or schedule time with us here.

250,000

The number of telehealth consultations Aeroflow Health conducted in 2023.

1 day

Aeroflow Health’s average time to care via telehealth as of January 2024. This is compared to the 7 days it takes for a home visit.

50.57%

of Aeroflow patients actively choose to participate in telehealth visits.

Written by Joy Payne

Joy is the Senior Content Coordinator at Aeroflow Health. With over a decade of experience in bringing brand stories to life, Joy has a profound appreciation for the power of storytelling.

References

Health equity in Telehealth. telehealth.hhs.gov. (2023, August 15). https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/health-equity-in-telehealth

Samuel, J. (2023, December 1). Telemedicine can be the oasis in the health care desert. Medical Economics. https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/telemedicine-can-be-the-oasis-in-the-health-care-desert

O’Reilly, K. B. (2019, October 4). How to improve screening for Social Determinants of Health. American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/patient-support-advocacy/how-improve-screening-social-determinants-health#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20clear%20that%2080,officer%2C%20said%20in%20an%20interview.

Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “Elevating Member Experience: Empowering Health Plan Success during Open Enrollment,” where we will provide invaluable insights into optimizing your open enrollment strategy to ensure seamless operations, enhanced member experiences, and improved outcomes. For a deeper understanding and comprehensive insights, don’t miss the chance to watch the webinar playback.

At the end of the year, do you assess member benefit engagement? If so, do you do any outreach?

Denise: Yes, we look to see if members have gone in for their annual wellness visits and will check to see if there are any gaps in care such as breast cancer or colorectal screenings. It’s a multimodal outreach campaign at this point to encourage their engagement. We engage our broker and provider partners and then we will text, email, mail, and call members to promote overall a healthy living that leads to the care they need.

Are there any trends that you are observing in terms of open enrollment this year (2023)?

Denise: Open enrollment trends really do depend on the market. For me, in the northeast, we work a lot with broker partners and we are seeing that channel perform exceptionally well. Broker partners play a vital role during AEP as they are the trusted voices among communities. They offer members expert guidance and ongoing assistance. With the ever-present evolution of health plans in various markets, I really anticipate that these partners are going to play an increasingly significant role in future AEP’s. This type of partnership can be somewhat new but I think we need to keep evolving in these relationships to see the best overall success. Additionally, we’re seeing for the first time since COVID-19 that people are getting back to face-to face meetings, pen and paper – tangible elections. With this, it’s pertinent to meet members where they are. Offering a variety of avenues for members to elect coverage communicates intentionality that will set you apart. Whether that’s electronic, mail-in options, or in-person meetings, as health plans, we need to adapt to our members’ needs and speak to them the way they want to be spoken to.

How do you ensure continuity of care for new members currently using DME? Are there processes or messages that are especially helpful for helping members navigate potential changes? Are they different for current vs. new members? Are there pitfalls that should be avoided?

Denise: Naturally, there are some inevitable complications that come along with open enrollment and so there will be some members that have more challenging plans to navigate depending on their situation. I’ve seen someone trying to join our plan with an oxygen need, and part of their process was having to figure out if their current DME provider would be covered under the new plan and if they were going to have to go to their physician again for another prescription order. All of these considerations can be stressful for members. As a health plan, I believe this is where proactive identification is key and provides a solution to meet people where they are. At Point32, shortly after onboarding new members, we deploy welcome calls to a subset of our members. Our goal is to gather information on this call that could pose a challenge for the member. Also, we deploy health risk assessments to our entire population because we want to identify members’ needs, including those with DME needs, and use that information to avoid any continuity of care challenges. As a health plan, providing a positive experience for members is one thing but ensuring there are no gaps in care is just as important! Many people have come to believe that health plans are like the “Big Bad Wolf” that isn’t there to help at all – we as health plans need to work to eradicate this perception and help people to understand that we want them to be healthy and that we are in their corner.

What are the best practices in terms of informing current and future members about how their enrollment will impact cost sharing, prior authorization, and other processes used for services they are currently using?

In terms of informing current or potential members about enrollment plan shifts, health plans need to be honed into communicating the benefit information via various channels. Timely notifications, educational meetings highlighting specific changes in cost sharing and processes, and visual aids – these are all options to consider communicating benefit changes. Additionally, health plans should collaborate with healthcare providers and communicate any and all changes to plans. Once collaboration is established, it’s best practice to put a feedback system in place so that you can track progress and shared information. At Point32, our Population Health team really helps engage and communicate with members regarding any changes to their current plans so that they can make the best choice during an upcoming enrollment. This is a year round commitment we make to our members. Strategies like these will ensure that members understand the impact on their services and hopefully reduce confusion and promote a positive enrollment experience.

“We as health plans have a lot of information that can help us look for members that need assistance. It behooves us to be intentional about member engagement and outreach. Look at the data you have regarding your offerings and engage your members based on the facts. At the end of the day - help build plans that result in more positive health outcomes for your members.”
Denise Doucette-Ginise, MSN, RN, CCM, CHPN

To schedule time with the Aeroflow Strategic Partnership team, please schedule below.

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Michael Cantor, M.D.

Dr. Mike Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney who has extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He works as a fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Healthcare, Uber Health, and other technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations and digital health companies. Previous roles include: CMO for Bright Health Plan, an innovative health
insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post- acute care benefits manager recently acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

Denise Doucette-Ginise, MSN, RN, CCM, CHPN

Denise is an accomplished nurse executive with a unique background combining clinical expertise, entrepreneurial leadership, and a breadth of experience across the healthcare industry.She currently serves as the Director of Medicare Member Experience for Point32Health, the parent organization of New England’s iconic managed care organizations, Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare. Tufts Medicare Preferred is one of very few HMO plans in the country to achieve 5-STAR from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services for eight years.

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, Chief Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Health.

Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “Health Plan Best Practices: Leveraging Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) to Improve Diabetes Care,” where we discuss how health plans can support members to ensure CGMs are maximally effective in improving diabetes care, the future of CGM management and more. For a deeper understanding and comprehensive insights, don’t miss the chance to watch the webinar playback.

What is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and how does it work? How does a CGM improve the quality of care for people with diabetes, and what is the impact on costs of care and patient experience? How is the value of a CGM different for people with Type I vs Type II diabetes?

Dr. Gabbay: Continuous glucose monitors or CGM’s are one of the largest advances in diabetes care in the last decade. CGM’s are like a movie of someone’s day instead of photos that only show a quick snapshot. With CGM’s, you are able to get continuous glucose monitoring over 24 hours, as well as be alerted when glucose levels are too high or too low. These readings are particularly useful for clinicians. Something to note is that there are 3 types of continuous glucose monitors – those that continuously monitor over 24 hours, those that require intermittent scanning every 8 hours with a reporting device such as an iPhone and then the most recent model on the market is one that is inserted in the abdominal region and stays in place for 6 months. CGM’s allow people to better understand how their actions impact their insulin levels and what activities or lifestyle choices they can make to promote a healthier outcome. CGM’s, while a useful data tool, in its simplest and most impactful form is a lifesaver for many. Being able to be alerted when levels are dangerous can make all the difference between life and death. At the end of the day, all of these tools help manage diabetes more effectively and lead to better life quality for those living with diabetes.

Every 5 years, the American Diabetes Association publishes the Economic Costs of Diabetes report. This year, we’ve found that 1 in 4 healthcare dollars are spent on people with diabetes and their complications. Most of the cost by far comes from the complications of living with diabetes, such as, eye disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, strokes and more. CGM’s allow people to monitor glucose levels and keep them at healthy levels, therefore, preventing these complications that lead to higher costs. According to several studies of those with Type II diabetes, of those using a CGM, those individuals were less likely to go to the emergency room and/or be hospitalized.

CGMs are part of optimal management of diabetes – what are the other key factors for people with diabetes to successfully manage their diabetes? Where does diet and exercise fit in?

Sophie: CGM’s are a tool that constantly remind people about their goals. Whether that be what they are eating, drinking or their activity, they are getting real-time data on how their lifestyle is impacting their glucose levels. I have seen that those using a CGM are much more invested in their dietary and lifestyle choices than those who are not. CGM’s should be seen as a partner in care, not a fix all. CGM’s provide data but people have to choose to take action based on the data. In my world, diet and exercise are the two largest points of discussion in determining how to make an impact on the disease. By striving for a healthy body weight and trying to get in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, those living with diabetes can more effectively manage the disease. When it comes to diet, I encourage patients to eat fewer foods that are highly processed and high in empty refined sugar and instead eat more whole grains, fiber, healthy fats and lean protein. Whole foods and plant-based options, in my opinion, are the gold standard. In addition to diet and activity, stress, water intake, and sleep can play a huge role in managing diabetes. I’d encourage patients to also work with their providers to determine what medications may be beneficial for their diabetes and if they are on medications, to speak with their providers before making any changes to their diet or exercise routines.

Is adherence a challenge for patients using CGMs? What are the barriers to patients successfully using CGMs, and what can be done to address those issues?

Sophie: Access due to lack of insurance coverage, transportation, or in general the cost being too high continues to be one of the largest barriers for patients needing CGM’s for their diabetes management. Additionally, the use of a CGM can often feel overwhelming and isolating. Historically, finger sticks have been the most common way of checking blood sugar levels, so for individuals who are now using CGM’s, even if they have family members with a history of diabetes, it can feel isolating to be the only one with a CGM. Today, providers are able to meet with patients via telehealth which has lowered some barriers to access; however, there are still those who may not have access to the internet. Our goal should be to figure out as many ways as it takes to meet these patients where they are and make it easy for them to get the care and medical supplies they need.

Gabbay: Medications have become easier for patients to access via their insurance coverage but for CGM’s there still remains red tape that creates gaps in access that leads to patient frustration. For those that have come to rely on CGM’s as their diabetes partner, the thought of not being able to have continued access is a real fear. Changes to health plan rules and regulations such as the restrictions that come along with pharmacy benefits or durable medical equipment benefits, can often cause a process of steps and documentation with clinicians and providers that cause those gaps in care.

What are the current recommendations about which patients qualify for CGMs? Have these recommendations changed recently, and if so, how?

Dr. Gabbay: Based on randomized controlled trials that the American Diabetes Association has supported, we found that regardless of age, if someone is on insulin, whether they have Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes, everyone should be offered a continuous glucose monitor because of the benefits of use. CGM’s are safer and give better outcomes as far as blood glucose levels, especially when compared to hemoglobin A1C, which is a 3-month average of blood glucoses that can predict the major complications of diabetes. Patients have better health outcomes with CGM’s and so they are very much the standard of care. In just the last year, our research has shown that anyone on insulin should be offered a CGM and it has ultimately led to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expanding its coverage to include CGM coverage for anyone on insulin or on agents that can cause low blood glucoses. Additionally, we’ve been advocating with the Veterans Administration and they have changed their rules to cover CGM’s for anyone on insulin. Recently, the conversation has shifted to how CGM’s might prove beneficial to those who are not using insulin. The research hasn’t proven strong yet but I expect this to be an ongoing focus point.

To schedule time with the Aeroflow Strategic Partnership team, please schedule below.

Schedule Now

Michael Cantor, M.D.

Dr. Mike Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney who has extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He works as a fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Health, Uber Health, and other technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations and digital health companies. Previous roles include: CMO for Bright Health Plan, an innovative health
insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post- acute care benefits manager recently acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

Sophie Lauver, MS, RD, LDN, NBC-HWC

Sophie Lauver is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach passionate about helping people take control of their health and get excited about nutrition. Sophie has a Bachelor's degree in Communication from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree in Dietetics from Eastern Michigan University. Sophie has worked in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation, and wellness technology, and most recently, served as the director of the nation's largest diabetes prevention program. Sophie lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband, infant son, and their two dogs and two cats. When she’s not working with clients, she enjoys cooking, not doing dishes, trying new restaurants, and spending time being active outside (especially on warm and sunny days).

Robert Gabbay

Robert A. Gabbay, MD, PhD, FACP, is the Chief Scientific and Medical Officer for the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the global authority on diabetes. Dr. Gabbay leads the ADA’s efforts to drive discovery within the world of diabetes research, care and prevention. Previously, Dr. Gabbay served as the Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President at Joslin Diabetes Center, and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. At Joslin, he oversaw the clinical care for over 25,000 patients, as well as the education and care programs Joslin delivers nationally and internationally. His research focused on innovative models of diabetes care to improve and to enhance diabetes outcomes and improve the lives of people with diabetes. The reach of his work has been recognized through leadership roles in national and international activities to transform diabetes care. Dr. Gabbay has served as visiting professor, keynote speaker and organizing committees for global meetings of the ADA, International Diabetes Federation, Endocrine Society, and the Diabetes Technology Society. Along with an extensive peer reviewed publication record, his views have appeared in popular press such as the New York Times, CNN, Oprah, the Washington Post and NPR.

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, Chief Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Health.

Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “Health Plan Challenges and Strategies for Managing Sleep Apnea in the Post-COVID Era,” where we offer health plans valuable insights into the evolving landscape of sleep apnea diagnosis, treatment, and management. Gain actionable strategies and evidence-based recommendations to adapt your health plan’s approach to sleep apnea care, ensuring optimal outcomes for your members in the evolving healthcare paradigm. For a deeper understanding and comprehensive insights, don’t miss the chance to watch the webinar playback.

What are the greatest challenges health plans currently face in providing affordable positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy to their members with sleep apnea?

Dr. Rabinowitz: I think the biggest challenge right now is that there are a lot of people living with undiagnosed sleep apnea. We do not have great screening tools so understanding the data side and identifying individuals with sleep apnea can be challenging. Without screening tools we’re unable to urge members to get a proper diagnosis. Another challenge would be the current state of the supply chain and being able to provide members who are diagnosed with adequate resources.

Dr. Weiss: Because identification is such an ongoing issue, education is crucial. Health plans can help their members by providing information about common sleep apnea red flags such as waking up with a headache in the morning or gasping for air frequently through the night. Also, educating on the populations who are most at risk, such as African Americans would be beneficial. Incentivizing those members with such symptoms to follow up with a doctor could make a huge difference!

What does the end of the COVID state of emergency mean for members in commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare plans? Are there other factors leading to changes in coverage policies?

Dr. Weiss: Patients and insurance companies should work together during this transition to adjust to “post-COVID emergency” era. Insurance plans are no longer required to cover some services, but they may choose to cover to provide better care. Home tests for obstructive sleep apnea and telemedicine services fall within this category. Patients with commercial insurance plans may have a limited number of at home tests available. Those with Medicaid and Medicare still have access to home and tele services, depending on the state. Most states kept telehealth coverage available after the COVID state of emergency.

Are there challenges with getting access to or using PAP devices due to supply chain issues? What about the use of devices that do not record usage data or cannot upload it remotely? What is the current impact of the Phillips PAP recall?

Dr. Rabinowitz: Yes, there are still ongoing issues with members accessing PAP devices. There are 2 significant happenings to note that have only heightened this issue. The Phillips PAP Recall took many units off the market and then created an additional problem for people needing replacement devices. Additionally, the chip shortage was especially acute for medical device manufacturers as they did not have as much clout in the global marketplace. As it relates to the data transmission issues that surfaced with thePhillips recall, compliance was a concern for the equipment that didn’t have built in telemetry. Vendors and infrastructure dealing with this issue made reporting particularly difficult for health plans.

Dr. Weiss: Even though 2021 was a couple years ago, the Phillips recall is still affecting patients. Patients are still experiencing delays in equipment; however, I am seeing that patients are mostly experiencing fear around the potential problems their equipment might have and not so much the concern of being able to access the equipment.

How does adherence impact access for patients and what can be done to manage this?

Dr. Rabinowitz: From a health plan perspective, we’re always looking for the value that PAP therapy provides a patient. We’ve made great strides to help remove the barriers for patients to be diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea but we would like to know our members are benefiting from that therapy. The telemetry data from the device directly impacts how we interact with members. Based on the data, we can better understand next steps that a member might require. For example, a patient might need respiratory therapy, another sleep study or additional coaching – we wouldn’t know these things without the data. With the additional information we can further assist.

Home testing for sleep apnea is becoming more and more popular. How do you make sure that patients that test at home get the right testing at the right place?

Dr. Weiss: An FDA- approved home test for sleep apnea (HTSA) can be ordered by a health care provider when there is a potential diagnosis of OSA. Patients and primary care providers should attend to warning symptoms of OSA to request the test when a patient complains of snoring, gasping for air during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headache, dry throat, dry mouth, irritability, and “brain fog”, such as difficulty concentrating. The right time is when these symptoms become noticeable to the patient, their bed partner, a relative or someone close to them. And the right place is an accredited medical provider using an FDA-approved HTSA.

To learn more about the sleep solutions that Aeroflow Health provides, we encourage you to schedule time with our strategic partnership team below or learn more on the Aeroflow Sleep website.

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Michael Cantor, M.D.

Dr. Mike Cantor is a geriatrician and attorney who has extensive experience designing and implementing value-based care, quality improvement, and care management programs for healthcare providers and health plans. He works as a fractional (part-time) Chief Medical Advisor for Aeroflow Healthcare, Uber Health, and other technology-enabled health services companies, value-based care organizations and digital health companies. Previous roles include: CMO for Bright Health Plan, an innovative health
insurer; CMO for CareCentrix, a leading outsourced home health, durable medical equipment, and post- acute care benefits manager recently acquired by Walgreens; and CMO for the New England Quality Care Alliance (NEQCA), the physician network affiliated with Tufts Medical Center, where he implemented network-wide quality improvement and care management programs for 150,000 managed care lives. He trained in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and did his geriatrics fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has degrees in law and medicine from the University of Illinois.

Carleara Weiss, Ph.D., MS, RN

Dr. Weiss is the Scientific Advisor for Aeroflow Sleep. She has over fifteen years of experience as an Adult-Geriatric Nurse Specialist, with a Master in Science of Health Care and a Ph.D. in Nursing, focusing on Behavioral Sleep Medicine and Circadian Rhythms.Originally from Brazil, Dr. Weiss earned a Bachelor's in Nursing Science, Bachelor's in Education, and completed her medical-surgical & geriatric training and Master's degree at the Federal Fluminense University, Rio de Janeiro. After eight years as Assistant Professor and Clinician overseeing adults and older adults in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and private practice, Dr. Weiss moved to the United States where she earned a Ph.D. and Postdoctoral training in sleep and circadian rhythms at the State University of New at Buffalo.

Phil Rabinowitz, M.D.,FACP

An Internist with a background in teaching and clinical internal medicine. Has been with Cigna since 2005. Currently a Senior Medical Director in the Clinical Performance and Quality Organization, based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Major responsibilities include: leading a team of Medical Directors, clinical oversight of National Vendors (managing HHC/DME/Sleep/PT/OT/Chiro/O&P/Cardiac Devices) as well as Strategic Partnerships; MD lead for the High Profile Escalation Team, and MD lead for out-of-network management and No Surprise Act implementation as well as many other customer experience and quality initiatives.

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Mike Cantor, Chief Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Health.

Dive into our blog inspired by our webinar, “Building for Maternal Health Equity: Addressing Barriers to Preventative Care,” where we unpack the intriguing findings from Aeroflow Breastpumps‘ recent independent study, discover key insights and standout observations that shed light on essential aspects of maternal care and explore the nuances between CLCs, IBCLCs, and doulas. For a deeper understanding and comprehensive insights, don’t miss the chance to watch the webinar playback.

What were some of the most outstanding findings from the recent independent study supported by Aeroflow Breastpumps?

Amanda: There is a lot of data worth noting here. For example, 76% of respondents indicated access to tools, resources and support related to breastfeeding/lactation were very important or extremely important. And with that, 1 in 3 indicated it was difficult to access support. What is even more interesting to note about that number is that out of the mother’s who said they struggled finding support, 0% were white women and 13% identified as Asian, Black or African American. According to their experience, the struggle has been due to lack of time due to childcare responsibilities, lack of finances, or their doctors did not explain/provide support. When mother’s don’t receive proper education and support, they are more likely to have a difficult maternal journey. Not only did the study delve into resources and support but it also touched on mental health. Out of the mom’s surveyed, 74% indicated that breastfeeding/lactation challenges impacted their mental health. Only 4% said it did not impact them at all – this was true consistently across all subgroups. These results can be very discouraging. Our hope is that health plans recognize the need to provide equitable access to solutions like lactation consultants and doulas to meet mom’s where they are and give the education and support that every mother deserves. To view another valuable Aeroflow Breastpumps Survey, click here.

What is the difference between a CLC, IBCLC and Doula? How does their care differ?

Kiera: A doula is a trained professional who offers emotional and physical support to individuals and couples before, during, and after childbirth. Their primary focus is on providing comfort, advocacy, and guidance during labor and the postpartum period. Doulas are not medical professionals but rather experienced companions who empower birthing individuals to make informed choices about their birth experiences. While a doula’s role revolves around childbirth support and emotional well-being, a CLC specializes in helping new parents with breastfeeding. They are trained to address common breastfeeding challenges, provide education on proper latching and positioning, and offer guidance to ensure a successful breastfeeding experience. On the other hand, an ICBLC is the highest level of lactation specialist, equipped to handle more complex breastfeeding issues. They undergo extensive training and can assist with more challenging cases. In summary, a doula focuses on emotional and physical support during childbirth, while a CLC and ICBLC are experts in breastfeeding support, with the ICBLC being the most advanced in handling intricate breastfeeding challenges. Each plays a valuable role in the journey of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.

How can lactation consultants and doulas positively impact a mother’s mental health journey?

Leteace: Lactation consultants and doulas play a significant role in enhancing a mother’s mental well-being throughout the phases of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Here’s how we make a positive impact:

Emotional Support: We offer mothers a supportive environment to openly discuss their emotions, leaving them feeling empowered and self-assured. Our goal is to create a “safe space” where they can find emotional strength.
“Brain-Boob Connection” Class: Through Aeroflow Breastpumps, we conduct specialized classes that explore the profound connection between the mind and body during pregnancy and postpartum. These sessions include practical stress reduction techniques and exercises we engage in together.
Stress Reduction: Our mere presence and assistance can alleviate the stress and anxiety experienced by new or experienced mothers who may otherwise feel isolated. We provide reassurance and support, diminishing emotional burdens.
Community Building: We facilitate a weekly “Mom’s Circle” via Zoom, where mothers can come together to form a community, engaging and supporting each other at no cost.
Educational Guidance: We offer educational support to prepare mothers for childbirth, early breastfeeding, and the postpartum period. Our classes, such as “Birth and Breastfeeding” and “Ultimate Breastfeeding Prep,” equip mothers with the “what to expect” readiness they need.
Addressing Breastfeeding Challenges: As an IBCLC, we assist mothers in navigating early breastfeeding difficulties, recognizing that successful breastfeeding can reduce the risk of postpartum mood disorders. Timely addressing of these challenges is essential for maternal mental health.
Promoting Bonding: Our support extends to helping mothers strengthen their bonds with their babies, which is protective for their mental health.

In summary, lactation consultants and doulas are dedicated to positively impacting mothers’ mental health by offering emotional support, building community, providing education, addressing challenges, and fostering maternal-child bonding throughout the unique journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum stages.

What are some of the major barriers/gaps that have kept the integrative care model for moms from coming to fruition?

Kiera: Creating access to breastfeeding support is very important for new and expecting moms. The most common barriers that create a gap in care is the lack of in-network providers, telehealth options, long wait times and visibility to where they can go to receive care. Having to plan, prepare and pay for childcare is a barrier that telehealth options could aid. Also, when health plans provide directories that show up to date in-network providers and specialists, it lessens the chance that moms will have to pay copays and deductibles. An example of how Aeroflow has been providing quick and easy access to care is the scheduling model via Lactation Link. If a mom is looking to schedule time with a lactation consultant, she can schedule a same day appointment all via an online portal. IBCLC’s and CLC’s will always be the gold standard for breastfeeding education. When health plans provide in-network access to these types of specialists, they are choosing to meet moms where they are and partner in their motherhood journey.

If you are passionate about addressing health disparities and ensuring comprehensive lactation and doula care for both mothers and babies to close critical HEDIS care gaps, we encourage you to schedule time with our team. You can schedule time below to learn how our program can make a significant impact in promoting maternal and infant health through lactation and doula support.

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Kiera Walsh, CD(DONA), CLC

Kiera Walsh is a dedicated agent of change in the realm of maternal and infant care, driven by the transformative force of education. As a DONA Certified Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, and Certified Lactation Counselor, she passionately advocates for the vital role of education in shaping well-informed birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding experiences.  

Leteace Lee

Leteace Lee, RNC-Maternal and Newborn Care, Full Spectrum Doula, and IBCLC is a Lactation Consultant and Educator with Aeroflow Breastpumps. Leteace is a Holistic Mother-Baby Advocate, who specializes in prenatal and postpartum breastfeeding support and birth education. Currently located in MD, she offers virtual lactation consultations to women everywhere.

Kellie Green

Kellie Green is the founder and owner of Green Living & Wellness. She is a Speech Pathologist and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant credential. Driven by her own struggles to breastfeed, she takes pride in providing the best care possible. Her mission is to give families a great beginning, supporting them from birth and beyond to help them reach their feeding goals. She offers in office services for those local to Columbus, OH and virtually, wherever you are, via telehealth. With Aeroflow, Kellie teaches: Birth & Breastfeeding, Navigating Maternity Leave, Pumping 101, Solids, Ultimate Breastfeeding Prep.

Sarah Law

Sarah-Ashley Law is a Registered Nurse and IBCLC. She started her career in newborn intensive care and worked there for over 8 years while working in the NICU she found a love of supporting families on their feeding journeys and loved learning all about breastmilk’s role in helping preterm babies grow and thrive. So in 2019 she transitioned to lactation and became an IBCLC. She has worked in postpartum, NICU, outpatient clinic, homes and virtually with Aeroflow. Sarah-Ashley teaches Ultimate Breastfeeding Prep, Pumping 101, Sleep for the Breastfed Baby, Babycare for the Breastfed Baby and Solids for the Breastfed Baby.

Amanda Minimi

As a healthcare company that provides maternal mental health support services, doula care, breastfeeding support and supplies, Aeroflow Healthcare fully supports the passage of Senate Bill 455, also known as the Protecting Moms Who Serve Act. This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study health issues affecting women who serve in the military, including coordinating effectively between veterans health care facilities and non-veterans health care facilities in the delivery of maternity care and other health care services.

Unique Challenges Faced by Pregnant and Postpartum Veterans

Pregnant and postpartum veterans encounter a variety of obstacles that make it difficult to access the comprehensive, high-quality healthcare they deserve. These challenges are often compounded by the unique circumstances of military life, including frequent relocations, deployments, and long periods of separation from loved ones.

According to a study by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), pregnant veterans are more likely to experience mental health conditions such as depression and PTSD than their civilian counterparts. Additionally, pregnant veterans who rely on VA healthcare face barriers to accessing care due to limited availability of VA maternity care providers and long wait times for appointments.

Maternal Mortality Disparities Among BIPOC Military Women

Furthermore, women who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) are disproportionately affected by maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, and this disparity is even more pronounced among military women who identify as BIPOC. According to a report by the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), Black women are two to three times as likely to experience maternal mortality as white women. Access to comprehensive maternal health services is critical to reducing these disparities and improving health outcomes for all mothers who serve in the military.

The Potential Impact of Studying Women’s Health Issues in the Military

Aeroflow Healthcare recognizes the importance of Senate Bill 455, also known as “Protect Moms Who Serve,” and the positive impact it could have on the lives of mothers who serve in the military. As a company that provides maternal health services, including mental health support, lactation support, and supplies, we understand the unique challenges that pregnant and postpartum veterans face in accessing high-quality healthcare services.

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study health issues affecting women who serve in the military, such as identifying gaps in maternity care services and coordinating between veterans and non-veterans health care facilities. By understanding and addressing these gaps and barriers, this study can improve overall health outcomes for these women.

We commend Senators Applewhite and Smith for their leadership in introducing this critical legislation. As a company that supports the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum veterans, we fully endorse this bill and urge the North Carolina General Assembly to pass this legislation to improve maternal health outcomes for women who serve in the military. Together, we can ensure that all mothers who serve in the military have access to the high-quality healthcare services they need and deserve.

Take Action to Support Veterans Maternal Health Care Today

The Protect Moms Who Serve bill has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of pregnant and postpartum veterans. If you would like to get involved in supporting this bill and advocating for women veterans’ maternal health care, we encourage you to contact your legislators and express your support for the bill.

You can find your local legislators’ contact information through the North Carolina General Assembly’s
website. It’s important to note that legislators may receive a high volume of calls and emails, so consider using social media or attending town hall meetings to share your support for the bill.

In addition to contacting your legislators, you can also get involved with advocacy organizations that support women veterans’ health care, such as the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) or Disabled American Veterans (DAV). These organizations provide resources and information about advocacy efforts and how to get involved.

Together, we can work to ensure that all mothers who serve our country have access to the high-quality health care services they need and deserve.

We are excited to announce Aeroflow Healthcare’s technology platform used to store, process, maintain, and transmit customer electronic protected health information (ePHI) has earned has earned HITRUST Risk-based, 2-year (r2) certification, demonstrating commitment to patient data security and privacy.

What is HITRUST?

HITRUST Risk-based certification is a globally recognized two-year validated assessment that showcases an organization’s commitment to proactive and comprehensive approaches to data protection and information risk management. The certification evaluates an organization’s information security program against various risk factors and industry-defined regulatory standards for cybersecurity. Achieving the HITRUST compliance demonstrates a robust and proactive approach to information security risk management, provides a competitive advantage, and demonstrates compliance with various regulations and laws.

Why It Matters

HITRUST has become the gold standard for ensuring the security and privacy of patient information in the healthcare industry. By undergoing the comprehensive and ongoing HITRUST certification process, healthcare organizations can provide assurance to their stakeholders that they are committed to safeguarding patient information. For patients, the HITRUST certification means that they can trust their healthcare providers to have implemented robust security standards to protect their sensitive information.

Patient Benefits

Patients are increasingly concerned about the security of their personal and medical information, particularly as healthcare providers continue to shift towards digital record-keeping and telemedicine. HITRUST certification provides assurance to patients that their sensitive information is being protected through rigorous security measures, reducing the risk of sensitive data breaches and identity theft.

With the peace of mind that comes from knowing their health information is secure, patients may be more likely to engage with their healthcare providers and share important information about their health, leading to better outcomes and improved patient satisfaction.

Payer Benefits

Covered entities have a legal and ethical obligation to protect the sensitive information of their members, and are also subject to strict regulatory requirements such as HIPAA compliance. By partnering with a HITRUST certified DME company, payers can demonstrate their commitment to meeting these obligations and maintaining the highest standards of information security.

HITRUST certification also helps to streamline the compliance process for payers, as they can be confident that their vendors are meeting the same rigorous security standards and risk management. This can save time and resources for payers and help to ensure a more consistent and effective approach to information security across their organization.

“Companies like Amazon and Apple have taught consumers how to engage digitally,” says Amanda Baethke, M.S., director of corporate development at Aeroflow Healthcare, a durable medical equipment maker based in North Carolina. “Then the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically accelerated the adoption of digital healthcare, which transformed the patient experience and left patients consuming healthcare digitally more than before.”

Healthcare professionals often prescribe medical supplies such as oxygen equipment, PAP machines, and diabetic supplies for home use. These items are known as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and are intended to help you manage your health from the comfort of home. DME can also be called Home Medical Equipment (HME). Insurance companies generally offer coverage for DME, and healthcare supply and equipment companies can deliver DME directly to your home.

What is Durable Medical Equipment?

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is medical equipment or supplies a healthcare provider prescribes to you for home use. Health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, offer coverage for commonly prescribed DME. The exact DME coverage depends on your insurance. Medicaid coverage varies by state, but most Medicaid plans cover a wide range of items. Equipment often includes:

Diabetic supplies
Briefs, diapers, catheters, and other incontinence products
Breast pumps and other breastfeeding supplies
CPAP machines and supplies
Other equipment designed for home use
Other supplies designed to help you manage your health at home

Medicare coverage for DME is more limited than Medicaid coverage. As a rule, Medicare only covers equipment and supplies it considers medically necessary. This means Medicare doesn’t cover items such as incontinence or breastfeeding supplies. DME items covered by Medicare includes:

Test strips and diabetic supplies
CPAP machines and supplies
Medically necessary supplies designed to help manage your health at home

Commonly prescribed DME/HME

DME includes equipment and supplies you might need to recover from a hospital stay, manage a chronic health condition, or care for a disability in your home. Commonly prescribed DME includes items such as:

Blood sugar monitors, test strips, glucose monitors, and other diabetic supplies
CPAP machines and supplies
Walkers, canes, and other walking aids
Wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility devices
Oxygen equipment
Nebulizers
Patient lifts
Orthotics
Hospital beds
Briefs, diapers, catheters, and other incontinence products
Breast pumps and other breastfeeding supplies

What is a DME/HME provider?

A DME or HME provider is a healthcare company that helps you secure medical equipment for your home through your insurance. DME providers contract with insurance companies to get coverage for medical supplies. Providers can then handle communications between your doctor, insurance company, and you.

The process starts when your doctor prescribes medical equipment. Once you have a prescription, you can choose a DME/HME provider that accepts your insurance plan. The DME supplier will check your eligibility and collect all the correct paperwork on your behalf. The provider will then deliver medical equipment directly to your home.

What to look for in a DME/HME provider

There are several important qualifications to look for when you select an HME/DME provider. High-quality DME providers will have:

Easy qualification — DME providers should make it easy to see which medical equipment your insurance covers by simply providing them with your information.
Curated shopping — A DME provider should allow you to filter products and only see the equipment that is covered by your insurance plan.
Dedicated customer service — The DME/HME provider you select should manage the process of getting medical equipment from your doctor’s prescription to your front door. Customer service reps should be on hand to take care of the paperwork, provide you with education about your DME/HME, and follow up after delivery to ensure everything is going well. You can check reviews online to see if your DME has happy customers.
Fast, free, and discreet shipping — DME/HME should arrive to you quickly and in discrete boxing.

Why is DME/HME important?

DME/HME can help you manage your health and improve your quality of life. DME can be ordered from home and delivered straight to you. It’s also a great way to get the necessary supplies without barriers such as childcare coverage or transportation arrangements.

How much does DME cost?

The cost of your DME will depend on your insurance coverage. Private insurance companies aren’t required to offer coverage for DME, but most plans provide

some coverage. If you’re enrolled in a federal insurance plan such as Medicare and Medicaid, coverage will differ depending on the exact policy you have.

You might still be responsible for a copayment or coinsurance amount even when insurance provides DME coverage. For example, Medicare typically covers 80 percent of the cost of medically necessary DME. The remaining 20 percent is charged to the patient.

How do I qualify?

Your healthcare provider can help you get the DME/HME you need. They can offer recommendations for quality DME providers that might be a good fit for you. After you secure a prescription, you can contact a DME provider. Many providers have qualification forms on their websites that allow you to check your insurance coverage. If you qualify for DME coverage, the DME provider will handle your next steps. They’ll work with your insurance company and medical provider to complete all the paperwork and deliver DME to you.

Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs) are two distinct account types you can use to set aside tax-free money for healthcare expenses. Either option can save you money and allow you to pay for things like:

Medical bills
Copayments or coinsurance costs
Glasses or contact lenses
Vision care appointments
Dental care
First-aid supplies
Over-the-counter medications
Menstrual care
Smoking cessation products
Pregnancy tests

FSAs and HSAs have multiple similarities, and it’s easy to confuse these two popular options for medical expenses. However, differences between them are important, and understanding what makes an FSA different from an HSA can help you decide which account is best for you and any eligible medical expenses.

Comparing HSA vs. FSA

Some of the key differences between these two tax-free options include the type of insurance plan you can have with them, your employer’s relationship to the account, and how long the money can stay in your account. You can read on for more details about each type.

Health Savings Account

There are several key features of an HSA you should be aware of. These include:

You need to have a high-deductible health plan for eligibility — A high-deductible health plan (hdhp) is a health insurance plan with a deductible that is more than $1,400 for an individual plan or $2,800 for a family plan.
The money in your HSA account always rolls over — Any HSA contribution you make to an HSA account will remain in your account unless you spend it. Funds carryover over, so you don’t need to worry about using the money up by the end of the year.
Some HSAs are investment accounts— Some HSA accounts are investment vehicles. You can invest the funds in your HSAs to make savings grow. Other HSAs allow you to earn interest on your savings for further account growth.
You can only spend the money you have already saved — You can’t borrow against planned future contributions to your HSA account.
There are annual contribution limits — Your contribution amount can be up to $3,650 a year for an individual plan or $7,300 for a family plan. This includes any contributions your employer makes. People over 55 can contribute an additional $1,000 each plan year.
Your HSA isn’t tied to your employer — You can start an HSA with a health insurance plan that your employer offers during open enrollment, but your HSA won’t be connected to your job. Your HSA account is yours, and it can roll over unused funds when you leave your employment.

Flexible Savings Account

An FSA (sometimes also referred to as an Flexible Spending Account) has several unique features that aren’t found in an HSA. These include:

An FSA can be used like a line of credit — You can borrow against an FSA. You’ll be able to set up payroll deductions for your FSA contributions. Afterwards, money withdrawals are possible if you need funds for qualified medical expenses.
Your FSA is tied to your employer — An FSA is linked to your employer-offered insurance plan and your employer. You won’t be able to keep your account if you leave your job.
FSA rollover is often limited — In many cases, you’ll have a limited time to spend your FSA funds. The exact time frame depends on how your employer has set up the plan, but many FSAs have a window of 12 to 18 months. Any money that isn’t spent in this time will be forfeited.

Which one will benefit me the most?

The account plan for you depends on your situation, budget, and healthcare needs. Both HSAs and FSAs have benefits and drawbacks.

An HSA might be the right choice for you if:

You are considering changing jobs or moving every few years. HSAs are owned by you and not an employer. So if you want an account that will stay with you, consider an HSA.
You’re young without many healthcare expenses. You’ll need a high-deductible plan to use an HSA. These plans aren’t a great fit for people with multiple healthcare expenses, but they can work well for people who don’t have many medical expenses.
You want to build up medical savings. HSAs can help you save money for future healthcare expenses.

An FSA might be the right choice for you if:

You or members of your family see the doctor regularly. You might need a lower deductible plan if your family sees a doctor regularly. In this case, an FSA is probably a better choice.
You spend a lot of money on over-the-counter medications, glasses, or other healthcare items. If you buy these items frequently, an FSA could save you significant money.
Your employer offers dependent care FSAs. Some FSAs cover child and dependent adult care costs. If your employer offers this benefit, you’ll be able to use pre-tax dollars to pay for daycare, babysitting, home health care, and other services while you work.

Resources:

Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans. (2020).

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p969

High Deductible Health Plan (n.d.).

https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/high-deductible-health-plan/

Using a Flexible Spending Account. (n.d.).

https://www.healthcare.gov/have-job-based-coverage/flexible-spending-accounts/

Daily Caring Many older adults will need help at home with activities of daily living. To get help paying for in-home care, Amanda shares information about long-term care insurance options to help caregivers understand how to find the best plan for their older adult’s needs.

USA TODAY fact checked whether masks can put a person’s oxygen intake below OSHA’s required levels and found that cloth and surgical masks are unlikely to cause a dangerous drop in oxygen intake since they are not tight-fitting. Kelli Randell, an internist and medical adviser at Aeroflow Healthcare, told Health.com that using any mask for a long time has not been shown to cause carbon dioxide to build to a toxic level in otherwise healthy people.

Dr. Jessica Madden, Neonatologist & Medical Director of Aeroflow Breastpumps, Joins the Conversation Regarding the Safety of the Coronavirus Vaccine While Trying to Conceive

“We do know that there are not any associated risks with getting other vaccines while trying to conceive,” says Dr, Madden. It’s a myth that vaccines—and specifically the coronavirus vaccines—cause infertility. Dr. Madden points to the Texas Tech’s Infant Risk Center’s explanation of how the COVID vaccine works, which helps to explain that the mRNA vaccine does not actually contain any live virus like some other vaccines do. That’s why, she says, “it’s biologically and physiologically implausible that it could affect fertility.”

A majority of Millennials and younger workers say they don’t understand the health benefits they pay for. A recent 2021 survey from Voya financial found that 33% of employees don’t understand the benefits they are personally enrolled in. And if we’re just talking about Millennials and other young workers, that number jumps to a whopping 54%. Employees’ health insurance literacy can also directly impact their productivity and the relationships they have with their employers. And as recent graduates begin their careers, those first few working relationships are imperative to their professional growth and financial stability.

Amanda Baethke highlights the fact that some of the most vulnerable people currently left without coverage under the Affordable Care Act are pregnant women of low-income status. Helping these women should be a top priority.

The decrease in adult socialization and loss of support system in addition to other regular household expectations can contribute to postpartum depression and anxiety. According to a recently released report by Aeroflow Healthcare, 56 percent of new moms said they had family and friends stay with them to help out. Still, 48 percent said they struggled with postpartum depression and 39 percent with social support isolation. Postpartum depression, a serious mood disorder, affects 1 in 7 women and can last for months if left untreated, according to the American Psychological Association. Black women specifically, who are already at greater risk of postpartum depression, are also at higher risk for childbirth complications, premature birth, and death during and after childbirth.

What the heck is a deductible? Is coinsurance the same as copay? And why do I still owe the rest of this bill? Health insurance can be a confusing jumble of jargon, but understanding just a few key terms– and how they work together– can demystify your medical bills, and help you make informed decisions about your health care.

If you find yourself confused about what you’re paying for health care (and why) the infographic below shows how some example claims might affect your insurance across a given year. Below that, we’ll dig a little deeper into those examples, as well some common insurance terms you might come across, and get you on your way to understanding health insurance.

Understanding Health Insurance

How example claims may affect your insurance

What Is a Deductible Anyway?

Before we get into the examples, let’s make sure we’re on the same page with a few key terms:

Premium – This is the monthly payment you make to your insurance company in order to have insurance, whether you use it or not. Think of it like your subscription to health insurance!

Your premium will depend on your coverage options and, if you get your health insurance through your workplace, a portion of it is likely paid by your employer.

Deductible – Your deductible is the amount of money that you have to pay for health services before your insurance provider begins to pay its portion. (Some preventive care, like your annual checkup, is not subject to your deductible. This means your insurance plan will pay some or all of the cost even if your deductible has not been met.)

Your deductible is not the same as your out-of-pocket maximum; you will still have to pay a portion of your medical costs after your deductible has been satisfied.

Your monthly premium does not count toward your deductible!

Copay – A copay (or copayment) is a fixed amount that you pay for covered health services. For example, if an office visit costs $100 and you have a $20 copay, your insurance plan would pay the remaining $80. If that office visit instead costs $150, your copay would still be only $20, and the plan would pay $130.

Paying your copay probably won’t contribute to paying down your deductible, but it will likely count towards your out-of-pocket maximum!

Coinsurance – Your coinsurance is the portion of the cost that you pay for covered health services after your deductible has been met. Unlike copay, which is fixed, coinsurance is based on a percentage of the cost.

Keeping with the above example, if a procedure costs $100 and you have a 20% coinsurance, you would pay $20 while your health plan covered the remaining $80. However, if that procedure costs $150, with coinsurance you would now pay $30, while the plan covered the remaining $120.

Out of Pocket Maximum (OOP) – This is the most amount of money you’ll pay for covered health services in a given plan year. This will include all of your coinsurance payments and, depending on your plan, possibly what you’ve paid toward your deductible, but will NOT include your premium. After your OOP max. is met your health plan will pay 100% of the cost for any covered services or benefits!

In-Network vs. Out-of-Network –

In-network just means that your healthcare provider (i.e. your doctor, hospital, clinic, etc.) and your insurance company have negotiated the amount of money that the insurance company will pay for a given service.

An out-of-network provider has no such agreement on price, so you may be responsible for more–or all–of the cost. Additionally, payments towards out-of-network costs may not count towards your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, and you may even have a completely separate deductible/OOP max. for out-of-network care!

How Does My Insurance Affect My Medical Costs?

Let’s use some examples to show how all of this works together. To start, we’ll say you’ve got an insurance policy with a deductible of $2,000 and an out-of-pocket maximum of $5,000. This plan has a coinsurance of 20%.

Now imagine you come down with a respiratory illness, so you schedule a visit with your doctor. Between all of the tests and medications the bill works out to $300.

Since you haven’t hit your deductible, you would owe the entirety of the $300. But that payment brings your remaining deductible down from $2,000 to $1,700 and your OOP max. down to $4,700.

Later that year, you take an unfortunate spill while hiking and break your arm. Between the hospital bill and the x-rays the total works out to $3,500.

First, you would pay the remaining $1,700 on your deductible. With the deductible covered, you now only owe a 20% coinsurance for the rest of the bill. Of the remaining $1,800, you pay $360 (your 20% coinsurance), while your provider pays the leftover $1,440.

Your remaining deductible is now $0, and your OOP max. is at $2,640.

Note: For some policies or services a coinsurance may be assessed before deductible is met. In those cases, the coinsurance payment does not contribute to paying down the deductible.

Now this turns out to be an unlucky year, and you discover that you’ll need knee surgery. After all is said and done the cost will be a whopping $20,000.

Your deductible is met, so you would only owe your 20% coinsurance. That would usually work out to $4,000 (20% of $20,000) BUT… you’ve only got $2,640 remaining on your out-of-pocket maximum!

Example Insurance Claim for Knee Surgery

You pay $2,640 and your insurance provider covers the rest of the $17,360.

Any further covered services during this plan year would be paid 100% by your insurance provider!

Conclusion

Now you should have a basic idea of how your insurance coverage will affect your medical costs, as well as how your medical costs will affect your insurance obligations. Of course, the specifics of your coverage will depend on the details of your insurance policy. With this understanding, you should be able to make a more informed choice when selecting what health services and products are right for you!

If you’re ever unsure if one of our products is covered by your insurance, Aeroflow will gladly help you find out where you stand on your deductible and which brands best fit your coverage!

The job market has been competitive for the last several years, and the coronavirus pandemic has only made it more so. These days, more interviews are being conducted online. We wanted to provide some tips from our HR team, as well as some best practices for video interview set-up and lighting. We hope you find these useful!

Interview Tips from Megan Hoeh, PHR Corporate Recruiter

Research the company before you apply. This is one of the easiest ways to impress a recruiter and make an impact. Being informed demonstrates to us that you are passionate and strategically looking for your next career, not just another job. So read the job description thoroughly and do a brief search before applying to any job.
Typically you will apply online and then a recruiter will prescreen your application. If you are identified as a qualified candidate, we will reach out to you for an initial phone screen. If the phone screen goes well, you will be scheduled for a face to face interview with the hiring manager for the position. Some positions may require multiple interviews or panel interviews depending on the department. If you are determined to be the most qualified candidate and accept the offer then we will begin the onboarding process, which includes a background check.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and use power or action verbs whenever possible to make your resume stand out.

Megan Hoeh

PHR Corporate Recruiter

To make your resume stand out, use a reverse-chronological format filled with keywords. Before you apply for a job, review the job description, and compare the keywords in the job description to your resume and make edits to your resume to ensure you list all the keywords of areas where you have experience. Also, get creative and try to use power or action verbs whenever possible as opposed to generic verbs or a weak, passive voice.
Recruiters love to see data that supports your accomplishments. If you have saved the company money, increased sales, or took a record number of calls, let us see those numbers. As tempting as it may be, don’t use a template for your resume, use it as a guide to create a unique resume. A simple bullet style resume is best because it is easily read and typically does not cause formatting issues. Your resume can be more than one page, but no more than two and should only include 10-15 years of relevant work history.
Get familiar with the STAR interview method. Most interviewers are going to ask you behavioral-based questions and are looking for you to respond with a STAR answer. STAR is an acronym that stands for the Situation, Task, Action and Result. You can easily find sample interview questions online if you want to practice at home, but try not to sound rehearsed during your interview. Try to anticipate what you may be asked and formulate responses but don’t develop scripted responses. If you have a gap in your resume or have changed careers frequently, be prepared to speak openly and honestly about any concerns an interviewer may have.

Video Interview Best Practices
Because the pandemic has moved meetings online for many organizations, including those that involve recruiting and hiring, it’s important to know how to prepare for a video interview. The key is to minimize distractions. You don’t want your interviewer’s attention pulled away from your well thought-out, articulate responses. The best way to ensure you maintain as natural interaction as possible is to maintain good lighting, a strong audio connection, and position the webcam at eye level so you’re not looking up at or down on the interviewer.

The best position for your webcam light is behind your computer, at an indirect angle. You’ll want the light to be soft; a harsh light will cause distracting highlights and shadows.

Thomas Mims

Photographer

Good lighting will help you look your best. Photographer Thomas Mims advises that “the best position for your webcam light is behind your computer, at an indirect angle. You’ll want the light to be soft; a harsh light will cause distracting highlights and shadows. A lamp with a lampshade will do the trick. If your workspace faces a window, try hanging a sheer white curtain over the window to diffuse the natural light.” Below you’ll find some examples of how much lighting and camera angle can impact the overall impression you give to the interviewer.

By Marshall Staton, Director of Human Resources at Aeroflow Healthcare

May is Global Employee Health & Fitness Month, and while it’s always an important month to observe, it’s absolutely crucial this year. Like so many other organizations coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, many of Aeroflow’s employees are currently working remotely, often while caring for young children. Sleep schedules have been disrupted, social connection is more difficult to come by, and physical fitness takes a backseat to more immediate concerns. Most gyms and workout facilities are closed and it can be difficult to find ways to stay active while still adhering to social distancing and safety guidelines. During this challenging time, it’s critical that we prioritize employee physical and mental health. I wanted to provide some tips and resources (as well as a couple of team challenges) that will hopefully make this all a bit easier!

At-Home Fitness Tips

Do what feels good. Take this time to focus on YOU and what type of movement makes your body feel better, not worse. For example, you may not be able to run for 30 minutes if your body hates that. But maybe take a short walk around the neighborhood and come back inside and lay down on the floor and stretch.
Reach out to your HR team to see what resources are available. For example, if your company works with local gyms to provide discounted memberships or other perks, check with those gyms to see if they have online programs available. At Aeroflow, our HR team has worked hard to make sure we’re available to employees who have questions and concerns.

Lean on me! I want to be a support system for you guys! I would love to hear about what you’ve been doing, answer any questions about exercises or injuries that I can, give you ideas or teach you when you need me! If anybody wants to do a zoom workout I would love that, or if you want, just send me pics or videos of your progress…PLEASE!

Keep a log for yourself! It is so rewarding to look back and see that you’ve done physical activity 10+ days in a row (hopefully 30!)
Set a goal, whatever that may be for you; running, planking, push ups, to touch your toes…ANYTHING, this is all about you!
Start a collaborative playlist with friends or coworkers to encourage each other to keep moving. Check out the Active Aeroflow playlist for inspiration!

Free Online Wellness Resources

Gold’s Gym is offering free access to their library of online workouts as well as their app that has over 600 audio and video workouts. Just visit the website to find out more or go here and enter the code FIT60.
Peloton is offering access to their App for free for 90 days. You don’t have to have their equipment to use it.
30 Days of Yoga Series is streaming on Youtube.
OrangeTheory has launched an at-home series.
Planet Fitness is hosting “Home Work-Ins,” free classes that are streamed live on their Facebook page daily at 7 p.m. EST.
24 Hour Fitness has made some home fitness routines available for free now to help you stay fit and healthy at home.
YMCA has launched Your Y At Home, a collection of online activities from YMCAs across the US to help maintain a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
CorePower Yoga is streaming live yoga classes for free on YouTube.

30 for 30 Challenge

What better way to encourage some healthy competition than a team fitness challenge! This year, we’re asking employees to participate in 30 minutes of physical activity, every day, for 30 days. Each team must track what they do each day, either by taking a photo or writing down what activity they completed. Our fitness challenge is totally voluntary, just something to help employees feel more connected to one another and motivated to keep active. If it’s not in the company budget to include a prize, competing for bragging rights is always fun too!

Photo Challenge

Winner of Aeroflow's First Work From Home Photo Contest

A photo challenge is another good way to engage employees during Employee Health and Fitness Month. Above, you’ll see the winner of our first photo competition, in which we asked employees to show us their work-from-home set up.

Aeroflow Employees! To be entered to win our health and fitness photo challenge, share your photo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn and use the hashtag #myaeroflowremote before May 15th. Don’t forget to tag @aeroflow_healthcare. Please note: account privacy settings can limit which photos appear with the hashtag so please also email your photos to Amber Lundquist.

This month, our photo competition is all about health and wellness. We’ve asked employees to share a picture of how they are focusing on physical or mental health for a chance to win a prize.

Work From Home Survival Guide

Finally, I wanted to share a handy image with some tried-and-true tips for staying sane while working from home.

Information provided on the Aeroflow Healthcare blog is not intended as a substitute to medical advice or care. Aeroflow Healthcare recommends consulting a doctor if you are experiencing medical issues or concerns.

Conversations around healthcare and value are intensifying. Progressive DME providers are evaluating how to shift business strategies from commodity trades to strategies that produce value. In doing so, they may question how to accomplish value creation when the products dispensed are not unique and the price is set (indirectly) by the consumer.

Value can be thought of as an equation where there is an amount of quality compared to the cost. In the current DME environment, cost is inflexible as the reimbursements, from agencies like CMS, have reached rate floors. With pricing at its minimum, the only alternative is to increase quality.

When we define quality, we use terms like access, patient experience, safety, and outcomes. The core definition of quality should be always be centered around patient experience. It begins with the patient’s ability to locate the equipment and service needed. It is important to leverage existing relationships with hospitals and facilities to highlight them as part of the value-proposition, especially in times of pandemics and other crises. Do facilities have the ability to dispense the equipment prior to discharge in a consignment setting? Does the practice have a local office where patients can access the equipment? Is there a local drop-ship agency that can assist with delivering mail-order items efficiently?

Part of successful patient management involves going beyond the outcome metrics and building a patient experience plan. Patients go to doctors and hospitals to feel better. By acknowledging that there is a mental component to the equipment provided, practices can shift to ensure patients not only receive the device they need, but feel better afterwards. By implementing patient satisfaction surveys and routinely revisiting them, the provider can modify their processes and procedures to ensure the patient receives the most benefit.

Technology has achieved huge advancements over the past few decades and they largely benefit individual practices. By leveraging EHR systems, the patient receives quicker, more accurate treatment. As more facilities shift to EHR platforms, DME providers can expect to be required to integrate. Tools like electronic patient records and electronic contract management systems can be leveraged to assist our partner communities through automation. Payers look for providers that can respond to requests expeditiously and having easy access to information is a huge benefit. Imagine participating in a discussion with the customer and having all of the relevant information at your fingertips. The result is quicker resolution and higher overall satisfaction.

The creation of value in DME will become increasingly crucial as time goes on, especially as we’re faced with the current pandemic and the possibility of other natural disasters. It is important that providers and health plans discuss what this looks like. With reimbursements at unsustainable lows, it is vital that providers create strategies to create value and be more vocal about the benefit of their products and services.

Medically Reviewed by Michelle Worley, RN

CPAP, BiPAP, and Ventilator machines are all designed to help patients with breathing disorders. You may have questions about these types of equipment such as how are they different and which one would be best for you. Your physician will chose a device depending on your diagnosis and breathing needs.

CPAP (Continuous Airway Pressure) Machines

CPAPs are most commonly used for obstructive sleep apnea treatment. Pressurized air is forced down the airway to keep the airway open and free from obstruction. This prevents sleep apnea from occurring.

The level of pressure delivered by your CPAP machine depends on how hard your airway is to open. This is usually determined during a sleep study and then prescribed by your doctor. Some machines will adjust to whatever pressure is necessary to ensure you are always breathing. These type of machines usually start at a lower pressure and react to your breathing patterns to ensure the airway stays open.

BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) Machines

BiPAP is a more complex type of sleep therapy machine that is used when CPAP can not be tolerated, the airway can not open adequately with a CPAP, or when a patient has central sleep apnea.

BiPAP is different than CPAP because it has two pressures, one for inhalation and one for exhalation. In order for patients to be placed on a BiPAP, a physician must prove the patient needs it for insurance to approve coverage.

Ventilator Machines

Ventilators are used for patients that can not breathe on their own or when someone suffers from a severe respiratory disease. Life support ventilators can be used 24 hours per day when a patient suffers from a neuromuscular disease or has experienced a severe traumatic accident that has left them unable to breathe on their own.

Sometimes patients are also placed on ventilators for short term use in acute settings such as hospitals when they are severely sick.

In the home setting, ventilators are also used non-invasively (with a mask) when patients have severe COPD. For this situation, it is only used during the night similarly to the CPAP and BiPAP.

There is a common misconception that ventilators are large pieces of equipment for bed-bound patients. However, there are options like the Trilogy Ventilator or Astral, that are small and mobile. By only weighing 11 pounds with a compact design patients are still able to maintain their freedom.

Insurance Covered CPAPs & BiPAPs

Depending on your needs, you may qualify for these devices through your insurance. If you have sleep apnea, we can supply the proper CPAP supplies prescribed by your physician. Simply fill out this form.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, we don’t have much scientific research telling us whether pregnant women are more susceptible to the coronavirus — or whether they’re more likely to come down with more serious symptoms. Dr. Jessica Madden, an Ohio-based pediatrician and medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps adds “One small study that compared pregnant women who came down with coronavirus with others who came down with it found that they generally weren’t any sicker … which is slightly reassuring,” She also pointed to a recent case study looking at nine women who had coronavirus during pregnancy whose babies were born healthy and symptom-free — although she stressed again that the available research is just pretty darn thin.

We’re excited to introduce the newest addition to our clinical staff, Amira Mouad, CPO. She is a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) who has been practicing for 5 years. Amira will be helping Aeroflow provide the best possible educational resources for our Maternity Compression patients.

What is a typical day in the life of an Orthotist?

Generally, I evaluate, design and fit orthotic and prosthetic devices. Patients are referred to our facilities by physical therapists and physicians of varying specialties. A formal evaluation is performed, including a thorough assessment of the patient.

A device design is constructed, and the fabrication of the device takes place once insurance has been verified. The patient is seen for an in-person fitting of their custom device. Follow-ups are scheduled at predetermined intervals to evaluate efficacy, overall fit and function, and changes in medical history which may prompt a redesign.

What kinds of conditions do you treat?

As a CPO, I primarily work with patients who may have movement disorders, skeletal deformities, and limb loss. We typically provide stabilizing or corrective devices to support or replace extremities. Common conditions include plagiocephaly, craniosynostosis, scoliosis, low muscle tone, spasticity, foot drop, various levels of limb loss, and a myriad of other conditions.

How has the field changed since you started practicing?

In the last five years, I have witnessed incredible advancements in technology. Manufacturers are constantly updating the end-user interface, providing patients with more user-friendly applications and options for independent manipulation of settings.

Our evaluation and shape capture techniques have evolved greatly over the last decade. As 3-D printing, computer-animated design, and central fabrication take precedence in our field, shape capture by iPads and scanners are favored over casting in some circumstances.

As our field continues to grow alongside related healthcare fields, our documentation requirements are also becoming more stringent. Insurance companies are increasing their demands for appropriate documentation to justify medical necessity.Measuring outcomes and reporting these measures is also becoming more common practice. This is an incredibly important aspect of our field to aid in research grants and prove the efficacy of our treatments.

What are some of the most common misconceptions you hear about with Orthotics in general?

I think a lack of knowledge and general unawareness of the field drives many misconceptions. We are not merely fitting “off the shelf” devices, but rather performing thorough evaluations and aimed at addressing patients’ needs. We take a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach alongside other members of the healthcare team.Together we ensure the patient is receiving a device to meet their needs and proper access to other professionals who can aid in their treatment plan success.

What is your favorite part about working with patients?

My favorite part of working with patients is finding solutions to their problems. It may be providing a device to reduce pain or restore mobility, cosmetically improving a visual deformity, getting someone up and walking again, or simply discussing treatment modalities offered by allied health professionals that can help them meet their goals. My job is extremely gratifying!

By Kas Roth

Nebulizer medications are used for a variety of breathing issues such as asthma, COPD, and even to help restore breathing function after illnesses like the flu. But when it comes to a device, what’s better to use between the nebulizer mask or mouthpiece? This article explains some of the differences between a mask and a mouthpiece as well as how to clean some of those parts.

Should You Use a Nebulizer Mask or Mouthpiece?

A new nebulizer user may not know how to take their medication. Nebulizer treatments are delivered via a mask or a mouthpiece. For most people, the choice between the two boils down to personal preference but begins with talking to a doctor.

Nebulizer medications turn into vapor while inside the nebulizer’s well. Once vaporized, the medicine flows from the mask or mouthpiece into a person’s nose and or mouth. Typically, masks are used when people cannot hold up the mouthpiece well. This group includes children and people who cannot breathe in deeply through their mouths.

Nebulizers are designed to deliver a continuous supply of medication as long as they are operating. A constant supply means that every time a person breathes in, they’re inhaling the nebulizer treatment.

Nebulizer masks are particularly useful when it comes to giving medicines to children who may not be able to use the mouthpiece properly. Many people continue to use their masks even if they do not technically need them because the mask allows them to keep their hands free during treatment.

The nebulizer mask has an adjustable strap can go around their head to secure the mask to their face. When selecting a mask, it should “seal” snugly around the face. A proper seal will fit securely and comfortably around the nose and mouth with the bottom resting at the chin. There shouldn’t be any gaps as they could allow medicine to escape.

For people who are uncomfortable using the mask, a mouthpiece can be used instead. The mouthpiece attaches to the nebulizer well in the same manner as the mask does. Mouthpieces are suitable for people who feel uncomfortable with the mask or prefer that specific delivery method.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Treatment

Masks have a few drawbacks when compared to the nebulizer mouthpiece. The major one is that a mask takes up the whole of a person’s face, impeding the field of vision. Some people also find the mask uncomfortable compared to the mouthpiece. There are some face sizes and shapes that do not allow a perfect seal. Without a good seal around the face, some medicine may escape.

Nebulizer mouthpieces are an excellent option for people who dislike wearing the mask and have no issues holding the well in their hands. The nebulizer mouthpiece requires a person to breathe deeply through their mouth and out through their nose. Breathing this way ensures the medication gets as far into the bronchial tubes as possible.

Drawbacks of using the mouthpiece include remembering to inhale through the mouth and exhale through the nose. Plus, because of continuous delivery, anytime you remove the mouthpiece to wipe your mouth or take a drink, medication will continue to be delivered.

However, on the other hand, the mouthpiece is easier for many people to clean. Because the mouthpieces are made of a firmer plastic, they also may last longer than masks do.

Cleaning Nebulizer Parts

Cleaning nebulizer parts is easy and can be done with vinegar and hot, sterile water. In a clean glass bowl or container, place the cleanable parts at the bottom. Then bring distilled or sterilized water to a boil.

Add 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar into the bowl, then stir, and leave the parts to soak until the water reaches a temperature that is safe to touch. Remove the parts and set them to dry on a clean towel.

Check the filters according to the nebulizer’s manufacturers’ recommendations. Typically, people can buy packs of filters that are covered by insurance. When preparing to purchase nebulizer parts and other equipment, people should contact their insurance company first. There are some cases when most or even all the expenses of nebulizer parts can be covered by insurance.

Regardless of a patient’s choice between a mask or a mouthpiece, getting proper advice from a medical professional is a must. They will be able to walk the patient through where to source their equipment, what information to give their insurance company, and what delivery method works best for them.

Writer’s Bio: Kas Roth is a freelance writer who has worked directly with medical devices for more than a decade as a biomedical technician. She now works with large and small clients over a wide range of industries.

If you find yourself sniffling, battling chest congestion, or struggling to breathe, you may need a nebulizer. Nebulizer machines help both children and adults find respiratory relief for a variety of conditions. This is especially true during allergy and flu seasons when asthmatic symptoms can worsen.

How Nebulizers Ease Flu Symptoms

Nebulizers can provide relief during a bout with the flu, and they also assist with bad colds, infection, bronchitis, and chronic conditions such as COPD. Oftentimes, flu symptoms are often mistaken for a bad cold.

Know that flu symptoms come on much more quickly while cold symptoms may gradually develop over a few days. Coughing, sore throat, and sneezing are common symptoms of both illnesses, but with the flu, muscle aches, chills, high fevers, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea can also occur.

Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following flu symptoms:

Trouble breathing
Chest pain
Stiff neck pain
A severe fever
Uncontrollable vomiting
Confusion
Weakness that leads to fainting
Fever
Rashes

So, How Does A Nebulizer Help?

As the seasons change, rates of asthma increase due to allergens and pollens being released into the air. Colds and flu can infect the lungs, leading to an increase in asthma symptoms and asthma attacks.

Plus, children and adults with asthma are more likely to develop pneumonia and other acute respiratory diseases after contracting the flu. Asthma is actually the most common condition among children hospitalized with the flu.

With the use of a nebulizer to assist with treating asthma and the flu, inflammation can be reduced and the airways can be opened to make it easier to breathe.

A nebulizer machine is essentially an air compressor that delivers a consistent flow of pressurized air through a mouthpiece. Nebulizers turn liquid medicine into a mist that can be quickly inhaled with the help of the airflow in order to provide quick relief to the lungs. Depending on the nebulizer medication, nebulizers can assist with opening the airways, reducing inflammation, and breaking up congestion to help patients breathe easier.

Nebulizer Medications

Bronchodilators: Bronchodilators are often prescribed to assist with respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD because they open up the airways to make breathing easier.

Antibiotics: Antibiotics can be delivered by a nebulizer straight to the lungs or respiratory system in the event of a severe respiratory infection.

Sterile saline solutions: Delivering sterile saline to your respiratory system can help open the airways, thin secretions, and loosen mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up or clear.

Note: Nebulizers are available through insurance, though a doctor’s prescription is required.

Why Use A Nebulizer Instead of an Inhaler?

While inhalers are smaller handheld devices handy for delivering puffs of medication straight to the lungs, many patients find nebulizers easier to use, especially when they have severe respiratory issues, like the flu.

This is because an inhaler must be aimed correctly and used with a deep inhale to pull the pre-measured dose of medicine into your lungs. The process of using an inhaler can take a little practice to master, but using a spacer can help with correctly aiming the medicine.

With a nebulizer, all you need to do is breathe normally for about 10 to 15 minutes until all of the medicine has been delivered. Some patients use a nebulizer twice a day according to their treatment plan.

Nebulizers are a bit larger than inhalers, but there are portable models that are battery-powered. You can also use a nebulizer in the car with an AC adaptor.

How To Use A Nebulizer

1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water.

2. Connect the hose to the compressor.

3. Fill up the medicine cup according to your prescription.

4. Attach your mouthpiece/mask and hose to the medicine cup.

5. Put your mask on or hold your mouthpiece in your mouth with your lips firmly around it.

6. Turn your nebulizer on and breathe through your mouth until all of the medicine is gone.

7. Turn off your nebulizer and wash the medicine and mouthpiece. Allow them to air dry until your next session.

How To Prevent the Flu

If you haven’t taken steps to prevent the flu this season, it’s not too late to get started.

The best defense is getting a flu shot. It releases antibodies to protect you from the most common virus strains during flu season, which peaks from November to March. Getting your flu shot late is better than not getting it at all.
Stay away from sick people who are sneezing and coughing. When respiratory secretions are expelled they can travel up to three feet.
Clean communal spaces daily by disinfecting surfaces. Wash your hands after touching any communal spaces such as doorknobs, the break room coffee pot, subway poles, etc.
Keep your hands away from your mouth and nose to avoid transferring the virus.
Take care of yourself by getting enough rest. Get seven to nine hours of sleep per night to help boost your immune system against viruses. Also, relax. Take a load off. Stress can increase the risk of getting infected.
Fortify your diet with nutritious foods to strengthen your immune system with vitamins and minerals. Also, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

With natural aging, more aches, pains, and common disorders that sometimes come with or without treatment, generally occur.

As we age one is more likely to develop arthritis, bone and joint disorders, and in many cases, cancer. Aging brings about more frailty, bones become weakened, joints wear down, the mind is sometimes affected, and when one suffers from arthritis they may not be able to use hands as effectively as before.

Many times the elderly deal with the pain that’s left undiagnosed and untreated. There are a variety of techniques and plans that can be implemented in order to prevent that from happening.

How to Prevent Undiagnosed and Untreated Pain?

Regular check-ups with the doctor while aging is important to help ensure that any new pain is addressed. In addition, while doctor visits are important, in some cases seeing a chiropractor can help address and manage certain pain.

At my Wasilla chiropractic clinic, we focus on maximizing your health by helping to provide relief to any level of pain you may be experiencing. Whether that pain is due to age or lifestyle, seeing a chiropractor can bring many great benefits to your life.

Chiropractors specialize in finding pains and pressures that your average doctor may not address or may not even be aware of. There are pains that hide under the spine and pressures that come against the spine that one isn’t sure of until after seeing a chiropractor or until going through with that first adjustment.

Much of the pain one can begin to experience is due to a simple misalignment within the spine, but keep in mind that all elderly may not be able to visit the chiropractor and go through with certain procedures. The skin may be too sensitive and the bones and body may not be able to handle such pressure, so it’s always best to check with your doctor first.

Common Pains In The Elderly Include:

Joint pain
Neck pain
Body stiffness
Lower back pain

Two of the main causes of those specific pains include:

Degenerative Disk Disease: This is a condition where the intervertebral discs within the back are beginning to wear down, leaving the bone to begin to rub against bone, causing there to be a pain in the back that is sometimes unbearable. It’s an age-related disease that many times aids in the reduction of flexibility and mobility in the body.

Arthritis [2 of the most common types: Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid]: Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation to come upon the body. That inflammation leads to good and bad tissues being attacked as the body fights itself. Inflammation, generally speaking, is a good thing for the body, as it’s when the white blood cells come in to fight off anything foreign. However with arthritis, there is nothing for the inflammation to fight off, but because it stays it then begins overtaking the body.

All pain isn’t chronic. When it’s short-lived and does not last for more than a month or two at a time, it’s generally pretty safe to deal with the pain head-on with over the counter medications, stretches, exercise, and any other at-home remedies.

It’s safe to see a professional rule out anything that could come with potential risks when the pain is chronic and lasts more than a month at a time.

Can Walking Help Reduce Aches And Pains?

Walking is proven to benefit the body in many different ways. Whether elderly, pregnant, or in high school, walking is a great exercise for the body that provides multiple health benefits for the body.

American Senior Communities recommends the elderly being active for at least 20 minutes a day. That can easily be fit in by taking a daily walk.

Some Benefits Of Walking Include:

Improving heart health
Increasing joint mobility
Lowering blood sugar
Boosting and promoting mental health

Any form of exercise is great for the heart due to its ability to cause the blood to pump more in order to keep up with the actions your body is taking. More blood being pumped means the heart is working harder, and the more we work our heart to keep it in full operation, the greater the chances that it won’t fail.

The more you get up to move around, the more your muscles and joints will become acclimated with those daily movements and activities.

As one ages they may wake up in the morning feeling stiff. Engaging in consistent exercise helps to cut down on the level of stiffness and pain associated with a lack of consistent mobility.

What better way helps clear the mind than by taking a stroll in the park? As one ages, it’s common to experience certain levels of dementia, and some elderly suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. The last thing you’d want to do in those cases is strip away daily activities, including exercise, which calls on the mind to help when making movements.

It’s not uncommon for one to experience Alzheimer’s and still remember how to get up, get dressed, and brush their teeth. The body and muscles do not forget the activities that we train them to act out.

How Does Walking Reduce Pain?

The less active an elderly person becomes may reduce their abilities to move around and stay active in the long run. Once an elderly person no longer remains active their risk for becoming disabled increases.

Studies show that walking (low-impact activity) decreases the chances of becoming disabled due to arthritis. This is because consistently walking or performing any other type of low impact activity strengthens the muscles and keeps the flexibility within the body at a decent level. However, it’s primarily the strengthening that decreases pain.

The stronger the muscles are, the less they have to work to simply perform daily activities. The stronger the muscles, the more they’re able to assist the body when walking, lifting, gardening, eating, and all other activities that calls on the limbs and strength of the body to result in fewer injuries.

About Dr. Brent Wells

Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. is the founder of Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. His practice has treated thousands of patients using various services designed to help give you long-lasting relief from different health problems, such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, and physical therapy in Wasilla, Anchorage, and Juneau.

Dr. Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr. Axe and Lifehack. He is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. And he continues his education to remain active and updated in all studies related to neurology, physical rehab, biomechanics, spine conditions, brain injury trauma, and more.

Allergies and Asthma: What You Should Know About This Common Health Condition

Have you ever heard of allergy-induced asthma? If not, you aren’t alone. Many people associate allergies with their typical symptoms, including sneezing, itchiness, and watery eyes. For people with particularly severe allergies, however, allergy-induced asthma is a common health issue.

This health condition is prominent throughout the United States. Medical experts estimate that up to 25 million Americans have asthma and about 60% of those people suffer from allergy-induced asthma. This makes it the most prevalent form of asthma in the country, especially among those who suffer from seasonal allergies like hay fever.

But what does allergy-induced asthma look like? Keep reading to learn more about this prevalent health condition.

What is allergy-induced asthma?

When a person suffers from allergy-induced asthma, they will experience the classic symptoms associated with regular asthma: namely, wheezing and shortness of breath. For those suffering from allergies, an itchy or scratchy throat may also be a top symptom of the condition. In other cases, coughing and chest tightness are also top signs that you have allergy-induced asthma.

Allergy-induced asthma occurs when allergens in the air trigger asthma-like symptoms. For people who are allergic to pollen, simply inhaling these spores on a crisp fall day can result in wheezing. Others can be set off by dog dander, dust mites, or even ingredients in your favorite perfumes.

This allergic reaction occurs because your immune system thinks that these allergens are harmful to your body. As a result, it sends immunoglobulins to counter the “invaders.” Asthma-like conditions occur when too many immunoglobulins are released and histamine levels spike; this results in inflammation of the lungs and surrounding tissues which can cause wheezing. Many people with severe allergies will also develop high levels of mucus to keep these allergens out of your system. Unfortunately, this can make breathing troubles even worse.

How is allergy-induced asthma treated?

Like most allergens, taking an antihistamine is often enough to deter symptoms. Many people take an allergy pill in the morning to prevent these symptoms from happening in the first place. Rather than taking the pill after an allergic response occurs, preemptively taking these pills can bolster your immune system from overreacting to triggers from the start.

A doctor or urgent care center can help you determine if your allergy symptoms necessitate further treatment. Some might supply you with an inhaler to mitigate the worst of your asthma symptoms while others will refer you to a specialist for more information. Most inhalers for asthma are filled with a steroid designed to ease inflammation and tightness in the chest. But for allergy-induced asthma, these inhalers can look a little different.

Many physicians recommend a dry powder inhaler for those who want to avoid steroids. Most steroidal inhalers rely on a propellant to shoot the steroid into your lungs. This can make it easier for patients with particularly severe allergies. With a dry powder inhaler, the patient takes a fast, deep breath to inhale the medication. It’s also easy to determine when your inhaler is running low on medication. Choosing a metered-dose inhaler with a counter will help you determine how many doses you have left.

Regardless, it’s recommended that the asthma sufferer distances themselves from the allergen to feel better even faster.

What can I do to prevent allergy-induced asthma?

As mentioned earlier, there are a few ways to prevent allergy-induced asthma, including preemptive medication. In conjunction with your normal antihistamine, doctors have found that taking montelukast (the generic for Singulair) can ease symptoms for allergies and asthma. However, it will only work if you take it at the same time each day.

If you hate the thought of adding one more thing to your morning schedule, you can also opt for allergy shots. After you undergo an allergy test (most commonly a prick test) to determine your triggers, your allergist can prescribe a series of shots designed to weaken your immune response to these allergens. Allergy drops are another increasingly common option to consider.

For asthma-sufferers on a budget, the best thing you can do is avoid your allergy triggers to the best of your ability. Keeping your house clean is a good first step. Many people have found relief with the help of a HIPAA filter and a dehumidifier to lower the levels of allergens in their homes.

For those who have severe allergy symptoms, relying on a nebulizer can help deter these allergic reactions from the start. Better yet, many insurance providers will help bring down the cost of a nebulizer for those who need it. Keep in mind that these machines won’t help dust mites, so a good scrubbing and dusting is necessary once in a while.

Allergy-induced asthma can be frustrating but it’s manageable if you have the right tools. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your local allergist or doctor for more information.

Not every repository disease such as COPD, asthma, and cystic fibrosis are the same, just like lung devices aren’t the same either. Depending on your age, condition, and personal preferences it can be hard to choose between a nebulizer or inhaler. Learn about both devices to determine which might be a better fit for your respiratory illness.

Nebulizers Vs. Inhalers

Both inhalers and nebulizers are available through prescription only to serve the purpose of delivering inhaled medicine to the lungs. Both devices deliver similar types of medicine and work well when used properly. Also, you may qualify to have your device covered through insurance.

What is a Nebulizer?

A nebulizer is a small compressor that attaches to a mouthpiece or face mask to turn liquid medicine into a fine mist that can be inhaled by patients. Inhaling the medicine this way allows it to go directly to the lungs and respiratory system.

Depending on the nebulizer medication, people usually have two treatments a day for about 15 to 20 minutes. People and children can participate in other activities during their treatments as long as they’re relaxed and able to take deep breaths.

Nebulizers are considered to be a bit easier to use because you simply inhale medication directly into the lungs. Inhalers have to be correctly aimed. For this reason, they can be seen as a little intimidating to use, making nebulizers the better choice for small children that are too young to use an inhaler or adults who have been weakened by their illnesses.

Clinicians often prefer to use nebulizers in emergency rooms because they are easier for patients to use, as they don’t have to do anything accept take deep breaths. Inhalers take a bit of practice to learn the technique,

How To Use A Nebulizer

Using a nebulizer machine is a fairly easy process. Generally, a doctor or nurse will explain how to use the device and answer any questions that you may have. Each machine is different, so be sure to read the instructions once you receive yours.

Most nebulizers require the following simple steps:

Wash your hands.
Add your medicine to the cup, according to the prescription’s directions.
Connect the mask or mouthpiece to the tubing and machine.
Turn your nebulizer on.
Wear the mask or hold the mouthpiece in your mouth to help deliver the medicine.
Take slow deep breaths to inhale all of the medicine during your entire treatment.

Nebulizer Pros

Easier to use
Pediatric nebulizers assist children
Can be used during other activities
Long-lasting and durable

Nebulizer Cons

Even though there are portable nebulizers they are larger than inhalers and can be more difficult to carry around.
They need to be cleaned after every use.
The treatment sessions are longer.

What is an Inhaler?

An inhaler is a small handheld device used to get the medicine directly into the lungs. The medicine is a mist or spray that is released by the patient as they inhale. Unlike pills or liquid medications that have to be swallowed, asthma medication quickly works to open the airways for faster relief.

There are a few different types of inhalers:

Controlled inhaler: A controlled inhaler everyday inhaler is used twice a day about 12 hours apart to prevent flareups or worsening symptoms by administering medicine to control inflammation. They can also be used before exercising or outdoor activities.

Rescue inhaler: a rescue or quick-relief inhaler is used to help get your breathing back under control in the event of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or coughing.

Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI): MDIs are the most common type of inhaler. They release a metered dose of medicine like little aerosol cans once pushed.

Dry Powder Inhalers: Dry powder inhalers deliver medicine in a powdered form. It does not spray out. The user must inhale the medicine quickly and deeply.

How To Use An Inhaler:

Every inhaler is different, so refer to the direction that comes with your particular model.

Shake your inhaler up and down for about five seconds.
Remove the cap and make sure nothing is in the mouthpiece.
Slowly exhale. Be sure to push out as much air as you can.
Place the mouthpiece of your inhaler in your mouth and create a tight seal around it with your lips.
Slowly inhale through your mouth and slowly press down on the button.
Continue inhaling as deeply as you can.
Hold your breath and slowly count to 10 before exhaling.
Place the cap back on your mouthpiece and make sure it’s tightly sealed.
Rinse your mouth with water, gargle, and spit. This step is optional, but it helps reduce the side effects of certain medicines.

It’s important to correctly aim your inhaler to send your medicine directly to your lungs. Also, be sure to inhale and press the button down at the exact right time to receive your medicine. Otherwise, you could miss and the medicine could hit the top of your mouth, tongue, or teeth.

Inhalers take a little practice to master and your doctor will demonstrate how to properly use the device. You can add a spacer to your inhaler to make it more effective an easier to use.

An inhaler spacer is a tube that attached to the mouthpiece of your inhaler. They act as a holding chamber to slow down the delivery of your asthma medication, making it easier to direct it deep into your lungs. Spacers need to be cleaned after each use.

Note: Spacers can’t be used with dry powder inhalers.

Inhaler Pros:

Smaller and easier to carry around
Faster treatments
Quicker relief during asthma attacks
Don’t require a power source

Inhaler cons:

They take practice to master
You may need a spacer attachment
You have to correctly aim the mouthpiece

Should I Use An Inhaler Or Nebulizer?

This is a great question to ask your doctor based on your condition. Both inhalers and nebulizers can provide relief for respiratory illnesses when used correctly. Be sure to try both devices to see which one you’re more comfortable with. Your physical abilities may be a determining factor in this decision.

With either option be sure to:

Know how to use it.

When you get your prescription ask for instructions on how to use your nebulizer or inhaler. Then when you get your device refer to the instructions. You can contact the manufacturer if you have any questions.

Use it at the correct times.

Understand when to use your inhaler or nebulizer and how many times a day. Know if you should use it in the morning or before physical activities, once a day or twice a day, or if it’s only for flare-ups.

Use the right amount.

Know exactly how much medicine to use each day. Carefully measure it for your nebulizer cup. If your normal dose fails to control your breathing seek medical attention instead of using more medication.

Understand your medicine.

Bronchodilators relax the muscles around the airways, helping them open up, while inhaled corticosteroids help reduce swelling in the airways. You may need both types of medication depending on your condition, so be careful not to mix them up.

Don’t run out.

Keep track of how much medicine you have left to make sure you never run out. Always pick up your refills on time. It can also be helpful to have a backup inhaler or nebulizer on hand in case your device breaks.

Medically Reviewed by Kelli Randell, MD

Whether you are suffering from a chronic or non-chronic condition, a nebulizer could be just the device you need to feel better. A nebulizer machine is similar to a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), in that it distributes breathable medications into your body.

However, unlike an inhaler, which requires you to squeeze the device and inhale deeply at the right moment, a nebulizer automatically turns your medication into a breathable mist and delivers it to you via a mouthpiece or face mask, eliminating the need for precision.

Learn more below about how nebulizers can be used as a simpler solution to help treat a variety of different conditions.

Asthma Nebulizer

Nebulizers deliver life-saving medications when it is hard to breathe in. Pediatric nebulizers are also a good choice for children who may not be able to work an inhaler on their own. Asthma medications that can be used with a nebulizer to reduce symptoms during an asthma attack include inhaled corticosteroids like fluticasone, ciclesonide, budesonide, mometasone, and beclomethasone. Using a nebulizer for asthma daily can also prevent asthma attacks from occurring.

Nebulizer for COPD

Using a nebulizer to treat your COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) can help you breathe better, live life more fully, and have fewer flare-ups. COPD treatment can involve taking daily nebulizer medications. These COPD medications can include corticosteroids, anticholinergics, and beta-agonists, which can be distributed at once.

Nebulizer For Cystic Fibrosis

Managing cystic fibrosis requires a number of inhaled medications to increase the function of the lungs, which is why using a nebulizer is so convenient. Most treatments begin with bronchodilators, followed by hypertonic saline, dornase alfa (Pulmozyme), antibiotics, and steroids.

Of course, because people with cystic fibrosis are highly susceptible to germs, you will need to completely disinfect the nebulizer after every use by boiling it, microwaving it, or soaking it in alcohol or peroxide.

Bronchiectasis Nebulizer

When you use a nebulizer for bronchiectasis treatment, you can improve airway clearance and treat any emerging infections. Generally, you will take inhaled steroids and a long-acting bronchodilator twice a day. These medications are bundled together to decrease the time it takes for treatment.

Nebulizer For Respiratory Infection

Anyone can get a respiratory infection, and using a nebulizer can help. Additionally, nebulizer treatments can provide faster relief to at-risk populations, such as children or the elderly.

Nebulizer For Pneumonia Symptoms

When you use a nebulizer for pneumonia, it can help loosen the mucus in your lungs so you can breathe better. In conjuction with pneumonia treatment, albuterol is used to improve breathing.

Note: A nebulizer will not treat pneumonia, it will just help you temporarily breathe better. Symptoms will keep returning until the infection clears.

Nebulizer For Bronchitis

Bronchitis is another nonchronic condition that can be treated with a nebulizer. Albuterol works by relaxing the muscles in your airway to allow the breathing passage to open.

Choose a Nebulizer for Your Health Condition Today

If you have a respiratory condition, contact a physician. If you are prescribed a nebulizer, Aeroflow can help supply it through your insurance.

INSURANCE COVERED NEBULIZERS

References

Compression therapy refers to the use of specialized garments for the management of chronic venous disease and lymphedema. Some recent studies suggest wearing compression socks during the day could help people with obstructive sleep apnea sleep better at night.

The compression pressure reduces swelling by moving excess fluid back into the capillaries which helps prevent the fluid from leaking. The garments also reduce the ability of superficial veins from expanding and overfilling with blood.

Sleeves, socks, and hosiery meet your specific needs. However, in order to relieve cramps and prevent swelling it’s crucial that you choose the right size.

Compression Therapy Guide

8-15 mmHg* [Mild Compression]	15-20 mmHg* [Moderate Compression]	20-30 mmHg* [Firm Compression]	30-40 mmHg* [Extra Firm Compression]
Provides relief and minimizes tired and achy legs.	For the prevention and relief of minor to moderate varicose and spider veins.	Helps prevent and relieve moderate to severe varicose veins (also during pregnancy).	Helps prevent and relieve severe varicose veins.
Prevents fatigued legs from long periods of sitting or standing.	Helps relieve tired, aching legs, and minor swelling of feet, ankles, and legs.	For post-surgical and post-sclerotherapy treatment to help prevent the reappearance of varicose and spider veins.	Used in the treatment of severe edema and lymphedema.
Helps relieve minor swelling of feet, ankles, and legs.	During pregnancy, helps prevent varicose veins and spider veins.	Helps in treatment of moderate to severe edema or lymphatic edema.	Used in post-surgical and post-sclerotherapy treatment to help prevent the reappearance of varicose and spider veins.
During pregnancy, helps prevent the formation of varicose and spider veins.	Helps prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as economy class syndrome.	Helps with the management of active ulcers and manifestations of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS).	Helps reduce symptoms of Orthostatic Hypotension and Postural Hypotension.
Helps maintain healthy, energized legs.	Used in post-sclerotherapy treatment to help prevent the reappearance of varicose veins and spider veins.	Helps relieve superficial thrombophlebitis.	For the management of Venous Ulcers and manifestations of Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS).
–	Ideal compression level used for those traveling long distances.	Helps prevent orthostatic hypotension (sudden fall in blood pressure when standing).	Prevents deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as economy class syndrome.
–	–	Helps prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as economy class syndrome.	–

Edit Table

How To Measure Your Legs For Compression Socks

Compression socks are often available in sizes small, medium, and large, However, their sizes are not universal. It’s important to reference the sizing chart for the brand you’re considering to measure your legs correctly. One manufacturer’s medium might be another’s large.

When it comes to the amount of pressure you need, refer to your doctor’s advice. The amount of compression is measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury.) Medical compression socks are generally 20 mmHg and above.

What You’ll Need

A soft tape measurer.
A place to sit.
Room to sit and stand.

How To Measure Your Legs For Knee-High Compression Stockings:

Get started first thing in the morning, before your legs have starting to swell. Otherwise, you may choose a size that’s too large.
- Note: If you or your doctor can’t measure your legs until later than the day, they can be elevated, bandaged, or pumped to reduce swelling.

Ankle Measurement
- Measure the circumference of your ankle by placing the measuring tape at the narrowest part of the ankle and wrapping it around to make a circle. This should always be your first measurement.

Compression_Sock_Buyers_Guide_Ankle-300×300

Calf Measurement
- Find the widest part of your calf and measure the circumference.

Compression_Sock_Buyers_Guide_Calf-300×300

Calf Length
- Sit on a chair with your legs at a 90-degree angle. Measure the distance fro the bend in your knee to the floor.

Compression_Sock_Buyers_Guide_Calf-Length-300×300

How To Measure Your Legs For Thigh-High Compression Stockings:

Ankle Measurement
- Measure the circumference of your ankle by placing the measuring tape at the narrowest part of the ankle and wrapping it around to make a circle. This should always be your first measurement.

Calf Measurement
- Find the widest part of your calf and measure the circumference.

Thigh Measurement
- Find the widest part of your thigh, right under your buttocks and measure the circumference.

Leg Length
- Measure the distance from your buttocks to the floor.

Compression_Sock_Buyers_Guide_Leg-Length_

How To Measure For Pantyhose Compression

Ankle Measurement
- Measure the circumference of your ankle by placing the measuring tape at the narrowest part of the ankle and wrapping it around to make a circle. This should always be your first measurement.

Calf Measurement
- Find the widest part of your calf and measure the circumference.

Thigh Measurement
- Find the widest part of your thigh, right under your buttocks and measure the circumference.

Leg Length
- Measure the distance from your buttocks to the floor.

How To Measure Your Arm For A Compression Arm Sleeve

Wrist Measurement
- Measure the circumference of the narrowest part of your wrist.

Elbow Measurement
- Measure your elbow circumference at your elbow crease.

Compression_Sock_Buyers_Guide_Arm-Sleeve

Axilla Measurement
- Measure the circumference of your axilla (your underarm), which is just below your armpit.

How To Measure Your Hand For A Compression Gauntlet Or Glove

Palm Measurement
- Measure the circumference of the widest part of your hand while your thumb is extended.

Wrist Measurement
- Measure the circumference of the narrowest part of your wrist.

As a parent, you’re on top of your child’s health and needs. From every little sign such as a slight cough to simply feeling unwell, you know when your child is ill. However, the signs of needing a pediatric nebulizer can easily be missed.

You may need to get a nebulizer for your child if they have a respiratory disorder like asthma when the symptoms go beyond having a stuffy nose and watery eyes to cause the need for breathing assistance. Other conditions that may require a nebulizer include flu, chronic bronchitis, infection of the upper respiratory tract, COPD, and allergies.

Signs Your Child Needs a Nebulizer

Consider talking to your doctor about a child’s nebulizer device if your kid experiences one of the following symptoms:

Wheezing
Coughing
Shortness of breath
Rapid breathing
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Delayed recovery from bronchitis

Signs of asthma or respiratory disorders may vary greatly among children due to varying daily or seasonal triggers. It’s best to consult your doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms to prevent asthma attacks and damage to your child’s growing lungs. Often times doctors prescribe nebulizers for a breathing treatment.

How do Nebulizers Work?

Nebulizer machines work a little similar to inhalers by administering medicine into the lungs for respiratory relief. However, if your child is too little or afraid to use an inhaler they have the option of using a pediatric nebulizer, which makes treatment a lot easier.

Nebulizers atomize liquid medicine into an inhalable gas form, which can easily be inhaled by infants, toddlers, and children. Along with being easier to inhale, children’s nebulizers cause the medicine to dissipate into the lungs faster, to enter the bloodstream quicker and provide relief sooner.

Compressor nebulizers are the most popular type of breathing treatment for children because they provide a source of compressed air for aerosol therapy. It’s used with a jet (pneumatic) nebulizer to produce medicated aerosols for inhalation for pediatric patients.

How to Use a Nebulizer

Generally, treatment lasts for about 15 minutes every 6 hours. But as any parent knows, asking your young child to sit still and breath deep for fifteen minutes can seem like an impossible task.

7 Tips for Easier and Effective Nebulizer Treatment

Involve them in the choosing process if they are old enough. There are several kid-friendly models of nebulizers including panda bears, penguins, teddy bears, trains, and more.
Give the nebulizer a nickname and a personality. Let them decorate it with stickers if they choose. If a child is attached to the device, it can make treatment less stressful.
Buy extra masks for the whole family to wear, so your child will not feel alone during treatments.
Consider a pacific nebulizer attachment for infants. Pacifier nebulizer attachments can assist a baby in inhaling the medicine through nasal passages more efficiently.
Role Play: Pretend with your child that he or she is a firefighter, astronaut, pilot, or alien once the mask goes on and play along during treatment.
Have your child think of treatments as a special time. Pick a favorite book or game ahead of time and make it something to look forward to.
Stick to a schedule. Maybe even have a decorated calendar or funny alarm that sounds when it’s time for treatment. Making nebulizer treatments part of a routine will make them less daunting.

Benefits of a Pediatric Nebulizer

There are are many nebulizers for kids that have a fun design, such as a fire engine, kitty, or dragon. Instead of having to deal with a loud, intimidating machine, they can enjoy fun lights and sounds.

Plus, children’s nebulizers weight about 3.5 pounds, so they’re extremely portable, so your child can receive treatment anywhere. Many options are also battery operated and can utilize a power-port adapter in your car.

4 Benefits of Child Specific Nebulizers

Nebulizers max out around 3.5 pounds.
They have safety features designed with children in mind.
The masks are designed to better fit children’s smaller facial features
The machines are shaped in child-friendly designs. Some include cats, dogs, and other children’s characters

Receiving a Nebulizer Through Insurance

Most insurance companies provide reimbursement for many pediatric nebulizers. Just use our quick and easy online form to see if you qualify and we will take care of the rest. We will contact your doctor and insurance provider, and we quickly ship directly to your front door. Why wait? Take the steps toward helping your child breathe easier now.

Do you have your child’s back to school list? Are they prepared with notebooks, folders, pencils, and more? What about their nebulizer? As your child heads back to school, their asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues will go with them to recess, gym class, and more.

Asthma is pretty common, affecting about 1 in 10 children. This along with other breathing disorders is one of the leading reasons why kids miss school, accounting for about 14 million absences per year.

But this doesn’t mean your child has to miss out or have their learning disrupted. Check out how to safely send them to school with their nebulizer machine.

The Back To School With Nebulizer Check List

See The Doctor

As summer break comes to an end be sure to schedule an appointment with your child’s doctor for a quick check-up. This will provide access to updated asthma medicine or breathing treatments.

You can also discuss an asthma action plan and when your child should stay home due to severe symptoms such as:

If they have a fever of 100 or 100F.
If asthma caused them to have a sleepless night.
If they have symptoms of a respiratory infection including a sore throat, productive cough, or swollen, painful neck glands.
If they have trouble breathing with hard or fast breaths, or can’t complete a full sentence.
If they’re wheezing, coughing, or have chest pain that doesn’t improve with nebulizer medicine or improves but worsens again.
If their peak flow score is under 80% of their personal best even after a breathing treatment.
If they seem too weak or tired to perform their normal activities.

Visit With The School

Go to your child’s school to discuss their medical needs with teachers, school nurses, coaches, and bus drivers, so they can assist your child if needed. Share your treatment plan and easy steps to prevent an asthma attack. This way your child will have a team of people to assist them with their asthma symptoms and breathing treatments and can fully participate at school. For example, if they need a breathing treatment before exercising, they can easily take their medicine and join the rest of the class during games and activities.

List Their Symptoms

Make sure your child and their teachers know what symptoms to look for in order to prevent and control breathing emergencies. Common symptoms of asthma attacks include:

Frequent coughing that worsens with exercise or cold air.
Whistling or wheezing while exhaling.
Shortness of breath.
Chest congestion or tightness.
Fatigue.
Trouble sleeping due to shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing.

You and your child’s teachers should explain to your child that it’s perfectly fine to ask for help. In fact, encourage them. Let them know that they shouldn’t feel shy or will get in trouble when they need to visit the nurse in the event of an emergency.

Avoid Known Triggers

Explain to your child and their teachers what triggers need to be avoided such as:

Chalkdust
Other dusty areas
Pollen
Class pets
Cold air
Perfumes and other fragrances
Mold
Smoke

Make Sure Your Child Has Their Nebulizer

This may vary by state, but some schools are prepared to respond to life-threatening asthma emergencies, so when a breathing emergency occurs they can provide nebulized albuterol and call 911. However, the school nurse may have a designated nebulizer for your child to regularly use. Check with your school to learn about your polices.

With asthma or reactive airway diseases with medicine that should be used as needed, your child should have their own medical equipment and prescribed medicine during their normal routine.

While there are portable nebulizer models that fit in backpacks you can ask your provider to prescribe two nebulizer machines. One for home and one to leave at school. This way they will be prepared for breathing treatments before recess, lunch, or whenever they’re needed.

Plus, you may qualify for a nebulizer through insurance.

Why Use a Nebulizer Instead of an Inhaler?

While many children are able to use a quick-relief inhaler to ease asthma symptoms, sometimes nebulizers are easy to use. Children can be afraid to use inhalers or medicine can be hard to aim with them. Make sure your child is able to use an inhaler correctly by sending medicine directly to their lungs before they stop using their nebulizer.

Nebulizers are essentially air compressors that turn medicine into an inhalable mist. The medicine travels through a mask or mouthpiece worn by a child so they can easily inhale albuterol or other medications needed to treat breathing disorders.

Not only are they easier to use, but they often come in a variety of fun designs to comfort the child during treatment, including fire trucks, dragons, and kitty cats.

When To Seek Medical Attention

For children with respiratory disorders it’s crucial to seek medical attention when:

The child has to stop midsentence to catch his/her breath.
Is using abdominal muscles to breathe.
Has widened nostrils while inhaling.
Is attempting to breathe so hard that their abdomen is sucked under their ribs while inhaling.
If the child doesn’t respond to quick-relief medicine or the symptoms return 15 to 20 minutes after treatment.
If the child has blue/gray lips or fingernails.
If the child vomits.
If the child passes out.

Once you sign up with a durable medical equipment provider (DME) to receive equipment through insurance such as a CPAP machine, breast pump, or incontinence supplies, you may notice an option to join a resupply program. Which is a program you should definitely join to get the most benefits for your treatment?

What is Medical Resupply?

When you get a new car you may happily drive off into the sunset, but that’s not the end of the story. You have to remember to maintain that car in order to get more happy, comfortable miles out of it. A sticker on the windshield reminders you when your next oil change is, the gas light comes on when it’s time to fill up, you have to replace the tires when the tread is low, and more.

This helps your car operate like new for a longer amount of time and it’s also similar to how resupply works. Only your resupply items may be covered by insurance and will automatically arrive in the mail so you won’t have to remember to order them yourself.

Parts made out of plastic and other materials that may deteriorate, such as CPAP face masks or breast pump shields, will wear out over time. Plus, it’s not like you can reuse a catheter or adult pull-up. Clinical supplies and disposables should be discarded after use.

But these are examples of items that need to be replaced on a regular basis to keep your CPAP or breast pump functioning at high-quality levels. When the parts break down with use it may need to cracks in the plastic, air leaks, and more, preventing you from getting the most out of your treatment.

Plus, when items break down it becomes easier for harmful pathogens including allergens, viruses, molds, and bacteria to collect inside, increasing your risk of getting sick. Resupply has your health in mind.

Resupply also helps improve treatment compliance. One study showed that when sleep apnea patients were enrolled in a CPAP resupply program they were twice as likely to continue treatment. Which is great, because properly treating sleep apnea is crucial for their health.

With a quality DME, you won’t notice a decrease in your resupply products. While some businesses have been known to replace briefs with cheaper brands over time, we don’t cut those corners. Sign up to receive high-quality products that you trust and love on a regular basis.

Breast Pump Resupply

Because the World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding for six months before gradually introducing food to your baby while continuing to breastfeed for an entire year, you need to trust in your pump.

Breast pump motors are designed to only last for a year, but you can check your warranty to see how long yours is covered.

Breast pump supplies that need to be regularly replaced include:

Duck Valves or Membranes – The membrane or little white flap on top of the valves are made of soft silicone and can stretch over time, losing their elasticity. This may impact the suction power on your breast pump. If the membrane doesn’t lay flat it’s time to replace it. But these smaller pieces may not have any visual damage.

Flanges (Breastshields) – As your flanges are used and regularly cleaned the may crack and tear, then bacteria may build up in the crevices that can’t be fully sterilized, no matter how vigorously you clean them.

Tubing – Breast pump tubing may stretch or degrade over time, which can impact the suction strength of your pump. The tubing should be replaced when it easily slides on and off the motor backflow protector. Also, your tubing needs to be replaced if any moisture gets inside because there’s no way to sterilize it and the moisture could damage your breast pump motor.

Replace these parts every 90 days as a good rule of thumb. However, how often these supplies need to be replaced varies based on how frequently they’re used. An exclusive breast pumper that pumps about 9 times a day will wear her parts out faster than a mom that only pumps 2 to 3 times per day. Also, be sure to reference your breast pump manual for resupply recommendations. Guidelines may vary among different pumps.

CPAP Resupply

CPAP machines need to be replaced every five years to ensure the best treatment possible with advanced, modern machines. Plus, your CPAP works pretty hard as air and moisture pass through it, wearing down the parts over time.

Supplies such as your CPAP mask, tubing, cushions, humidifier chamber, and more that actually come into contact with your face and water need to be replaced more often. Not only does the humidity create the perfect environment for mold but the items become less effective as they degrade with night after night of use.

Refer to the CPAP replacement schedule for proven safety standards.

CPAP Replacement	Replacement Schedule
Full Face Cushions	Once a Month
Disposable Filters	Twice a Month
Nasal Cushion Pillows	Twice a Month
Oral, Nasal, Nasal Pillows, Full Face Masks	Once Every 3 Months
Tubing	Once Every 3 Months
Headgear and Chinstraps	Once Every 6 Months
Non-Disposable Filters	Once Every 6 Months
Humidifier Chamber	Once Every 6 Months
CPAP Machine	Once Every 5 Years

Edit Table

Incontinence Resupply

Incontinence resupply varies based on the type of products you receive on a monthly basis from catheters, adult pull-ups, chux, and more. The amount you receive also depends on your Medicaid coverage. For example, Vermont has a limit of 300 incontinence products per month but Alaska has a limit of up to 500 products per month.

Don’t fret, we will take a peek at your coverage and determine your options for you! We will also check in on a monthly basis via phone or email to see if you need to make any changes to your supply.

How To Receive Medical Resupply Products Through Insurance

Qualify for resupply items is easy! Just refer to the following steps.

Fill out our quick qualification form for your equipment.
We will verify your coverage and contact you with your options.
Relax as your items arrive at your home on a regular basis according to their resupply schedule!

Within the healthcare space when it comes to possibly partnering with or acquiring another business, requiring financial documents and reports to determine a variety of numbers and projections is a crucial step in the decision-making process. However, when it comes to durable medical equipment (DME) providers and similar entities it is imperative to look past the name and stats on paper to understand what sets them apart from others in order to drive success.

1. Atmosphere

While business is just that, a business, generally a unique ecosystem exists within its walls, full of working people. The culture that exists as a byproduct of the ecosystem can be the driving force between achieving the bottom line or closing the doors for good.

In the health industry, companies that have more successful cultures usually have a strong sense of patient care, as they should. Instead of being hyper-focused on sales or reaching out to more leads, individuals that take the time to ensure each patient is comfortable and taken care of promotes motivation and positivity.

Staff members play a major role in creating the experience that customers receive and often impact the reputation that a business begins to gain over time. While you can give the walls a fresh coat of paint and redecorate to give a business a new fell, it’s reputation can be difficult to transform.

Stakeholders will often want to continue maintaining relationships with the familiar culture of the business that they have come to know. Individual workers are apart of the legacy behind a business’s name and may be beneficial in impacting the future.

2. Supporting That Atmosphere

When acquiring another business or partnering with them, it’s beneficial to ensure patients receive the same exceptional customer service they have become accustomed to having. This will help ease the transition for routine customers.

By maintaining existing customer service and other business practices both parties are able to help to preserve the atmosphere created by a seller. Their business is their legacy, and oftentimes they don’t want to see it instantly fade away.

Sellers may prefer to work with buyers who seem interested in their business as an existing culture. Buyers should look past what’s on paper to see if the atmosphere will assist with growing their current goals for a seamless transition upon the changing of hands.

3. Investing In That Atmosphere

Customer service practices take a while to grow and perfect. Sellers don’t want to see the culture they have cultivated fade away as a buyer takes over communicating with existing patients.

Patients and their opinions carry a lot of weight towards business reputation. Many new potential customers rely on reviews to educate themselves about the business before making a decision.

Not only are existing patients have the ability to impact business reputation, but the seller may care for them as well. They have taken the time to craft a meaningful repertoire and care for their health. They will consider the buyer’s ability to continue providing exceptional care and nothing but the best customer service to ensure that their needs are continuously being met.

When sellers look at buyers, they should heavily consider their level of dedication. They should look at the seller as if they were the patient and ensure the values align with that of a potential provider to themselves. For sellers, it is important to ensure the company you are reviewing has fostered a caring and supportive environment for their patients.

Preserving Business Culture

When you buy a new car you don’t get the driver or family that used to ride in it. There aren’t any hints or personality or family memories still attached to it. Essentially you’re buying a shell for you to fill with your own culture.

But when purchasing a business, remnants of its culture and legacy are included. Learning the impact that the business has on consumers and as a part of the local community can reveal much more than numbers on another spreadsheet.

We are always striving to provide a great work environment for our employees, and this week we’re happy to announce that we have been recognized as a Great Place to Work! This award is entirely based on the feedback from employees here at Aeroflow!

Great Place To Work Survey Results

The Great Place to Work Institute surveyed employees about their thoughts on the workplace using a Trust Index survey that measured levels of trust, pride and camaraderie in the workplace as well as opinions on things like paid time off, vacation time and company perks.

The survey found that 76% of Aeroflow employees say their workplace is great. 90% of employees felt welcomed when they joined the company., and also positively rated the workplace for its good communication and great bosses. Employees also positively rated Aeroflow for offering great perks and amenities during and after work hours.

Here’s what our Director of Human Resources Marshall Staton had to say:

“Aeroflow’s continuous work to improve patients’ quality of life starts with our dedicated and passionate employees. Being certified as a Great Place to Work for the second year in a row validates Aeroflow’s emphasis on the employee experience and translates to a better experience for our customers. We will continue building on our company culture and our ability to provide our customers with exceptional customer service.”
Marshall Staton

New Mission Statement How Aeroflow Stands Out

At Aeroflow Healthcare our mission is to provide you with innovative home healthcare solutions that allow you to spend more time in your home while lowering healthcare costs and improving your quality of life. We do this while settling for nothing less than exceptional customer service.

"Aeroflow’s mission statement is a daily reminder of the company’s commitment to employees and patients alike. We will continue providing our employees with the resources necessary to exemplify Aeroflow’s updated core values of customer service, innovation, integrity, education, and community, our employees will directly advance that mission, and ensuring that our employees and patients remain satisfied with our organization as we continue to expand."
Marshall Staton

Aeroflow has a strong focus on community service, engagement with coworkers, and prioritizes physical and mental wellbeing. Employees have opportunities to participate in community services like Habitat for Humanity, donation drives, and blood drives.

If you are interested in working with us or want to recommend Aeroflow as a Great Place to Work to your friends, we’re always looking for awesome people to join our team. Check our Employment Opportunities to learn more.

Oxygen therapy allows patients to maintain their independence with the ability to to be treated in their homes and stick with their normal daily routine. Those who only use supplemental oxygen while sleeping may have it a little easier, than those who use it all the time, but your activities don’t have to be limited due to oxygen therapy. You can still participate in social activities, drive around town, and even travel with oxygen!

Traveling With Oxygen

Oxygen therapy at home doesn’t mean you have to stay home. While traditional oxygen tanks may be heavy, bulky, and difficult to transport without assistance, the portable oxygen concentrator (POC) provides supplemental oxygen without the hassle of maneuvering a large tank.

Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) have smaller, portable tanks that can be carried in a discreet shoulder bag. They also issue a “pulse dose” or a regulated puff of air that is triggered when you inhale. This conserves oxygen because it doesn’t flow unless you’re breathing in order to help the tank last much longer.

POCs operate with a rechargeable battery that can be charged with an AC/DC power source, making them easy to charge from any location. Plus, they pull in air from the space around you and converts it into saturated oxygen, eliminating the need to worry about tank refills.

RV/Car Travel with Oxygen

Driving is the easiest way to travel with your oxygen supplies. But there are a few things to remember for your trip:

Find oxygen supplies along your route and take down their information so you’ll instantly know who to contact in the event of an emergency.
With a POC, keep the AC and DC charger cables with you. An extra battery can also be useful to have. Make sure your batteries are fully charged before leaving.
Store oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen properly in the back seat or floor by placing them upright, securing them, checking for leaks before leaving, and packing extra tanks. Make sure the tanks are in their carrying cases and kept out of direct sunlight or other sources of heat.
Never store your oxygen tanks in the trunk of your car where they could explode in the event of a rear-end collision.
Have emergency inhalers and medications nearby in case of an emergency.
Keep a window cracked to have a source of fresh air cycling through your vehicle to prevent oxygen from building up in the car.
When traveling at higher altitudes contact your doctor to see if you need to increase your supplemental oxygen.
Avoid flames. Don’t smoke near your oxygen tanks, or allow others too. Avoid campfires and other sources of open flames.

Oxygen on Buses and Trains

Obtain a physician’s clearance to travel. Also, carry your prescription to provide proper documentation.
Call your bus or train line about of time to learn their policies about traveling with oxygen and what additional documentation ahead of time. Many require you to notify them about carrying oxygen at least 24 hours in advance.
Try to book a seat near accessible power outlets.
Be sure to see how many oxygen tanks you can carry and plan ahead for delays and power outages. Different companies have varying policies with the size and weight of the tanks allowed on board.

Cruise Ships and Oxygen

Obtain a physician’s clearance to travel. Also, carry your prescription to provide proper documentation about your condition.
Contact the cruise liner three weeks in advance to let them know you’ll be traveling with oxygen and to learn their policies.
Make sure you bring enough batteries or tanks to last the entire trip and bring extra equipment in the event of a delay. Know where your chargers medications, and inhaler are stored.
Do not place your oxygen equipment on checked baggage. It could become lost or damaged and is often not allowed.
Arrive early in case your equipment needs to be inspected prior to boarding.
Make sure your batteries are fully charges before getting off the boat to enjoy shore destinations.

Flying with Oxygen Therapy

Invest in a Portable Oxygen Concentrator as oxygen tanks and liquid oxygen aren’t allowed on planes. Make sure your POC is FAA approved.
Obtain a physician’s clearance to travel. Also, carry your prescription to provide proper documentation about your condition.
Contact your airline in advance to tell them you’ll be traveling with oxygen and to learn their individual policies. Shop around and consider different policies. Some airlines may provide supplemental oxygen and some may require you to book a second seat for your equipment.
Try to obtain a seat with access to a power outlet in case your batteries need to be charged.
Fully charge your batteries before leaving and carry a backup.
Keep emergency medications and your inhaler on your carry on in the event of an emergency on the plane.
Contact your doctor to see if you’ll need to increase your supplemental oxygen as your plane reaches higher altitudes.
Give yourself extra time to go through security in case your equipment needs to be inspected and have enough power to withstand any potential delays.

3 Steps to Effortlessly Get Through TSA with Oxygen

Call the Airline. This can never hurt. If you call your airline, you can inform them that you will be traveling with Oxygen, CPAP, BiPAP, or Autopap therapy. This way they will be able to help you make special arrangements if needed.
Direct Flights. When flying directly, you only have to worry about one flight, storing your bags once, dealing with one flight crew and boarding and exiting the plane with all of your equipment one time. Though this isn’t always the cheapest method of travel, it should be considered for sake of ease when traveling with medical equipment.
Keep Your Unit Charged. Since you never know when you may need it, keeping your unit charged for the flight is always a good idea. A standard rule to follow is multiply how many hours your flight will take by 1.5. That is a good gage for the number of hours you should be charged.

Investing in a Portable Oxygen Concentrator

If you know that you want occasional travel to be a part of your lifestyle, then the Portable Oxygen Concentrator may be the next best upgrade for you. Choosing a portable concentrator can have a lot of great benefits for those of us who like to stay active and adventure often. With its lightweight and compact design, this type of concentrator can be a life changer when it comes to your independence!

A few things to consider when choosing a concentrator:

•   Deciding when, where, and how you want to travel.
•   Speaking with your physician about your plans to ensure that you are healthy enough to travel.
•   Obtaining a copy of your oxygen prescription to keep with you during your trip.

Best Portable Oxygen Concentrators

For brands of portable oxygen concentrators that provide a continuous flow, consider the following choices:

Oxlife
Devilbliss IGO
Sequal Eclipse
Invacare SOLO2

Brands that provide both continuous flow and pulse oxygen:

Respironics SimpleGo

Smaller and lighter POC brands include:

Lifechoice
Drive Oxus Reliability
Precision EasyPulse
Inogen One G2

Over 10 million people are diagnosed each year with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Millions more are diagnosed with other serious lung disorders such as asthma and emphysema. Many of these individuals are treated with oxygen therapy.

People with Medicare can rest assured that Medicare covers oxygen therapy. However, there are some rules and guidelines that you will want to follow to ensure coverage for your items are approved.

Part B Durable Medical Equipment

Durable medical equipment like oxygen pumps are covered under Medicare Part B. Part B covers not only equipment but also many other outpatient services like doctor visits, lab testing, diagnostic imaging, medical supplies, and even outpatient surgeries.

In order for Medicare to cover your oxygen therapy, Medicare must prescribe the therapy for you and document why he believes it is medically necessary.

Usually, your doctor will conduct some testing to measure the level of gas in your blood. He can also document other therapies that you may have tried which have failed to improve your health.

For your part, you will need to use a Medicare-approved DME supplier when ordering your equipment. This not only meets Medicare’s rules but is also in your favor because Medicare has negotiated the lowest pricing possible with these vendors.

Other Related Equipment

While Medicare normally doesn’t cover items like humidifiers, Part B may pay for a humidifier when there is a medical need for someone to use them with their oxygen equipment.

Rental of ventilators may be covered by Medicare when treating for certain conditions such as chronic respiratory failure that is subsequent to COPD.

Your doctor and supplier must document medical necessity, the payable diagnosis, and ventilator settings to be used and the supplier should also outline a backup plan in case the ventilator was to break down.

Details for Using Oxygen DME

When it comes to oxygen equipment, Medicare will pay for you to rent this durable medical equipment. Your rental covers both the oxygen equipment and the other necessary accessories such as tubing, mouthpieces, and masks.

After 3 years, Medicare will stop paying the rental fee, but the Medicare supplier must still continue to supply you with both maintenance and accessories to go with your equipment for the next 2 years. The supplier cannot invoice you for these services. Finally, at the end of 5 years, the DME supplier doesn’t have to continue providing your oxygen equipment or the maintenance required for it. At this point, you will start over on a new 3- year period either with the same DME supplier or a new one, if you prefer.

Your Cost-Sharing Under Medicare

Part B will pay for 80% of the cost of your oxygen therapy equipment after you have first satisfied the annual deductible of $185 (in 2019).

You are responsible for paying the other 20%. However, if you are also enrolled in a Medicare supplement, then your supplement policy will generally pay some or all of this coinsurance for you depending on which plan you purchased.

We should also mention that some DME supplies accept Medicare’s assigned rates while others may be non-participating providers who do not accept Medicare’s assigned rates. If your provider does not accept assignment, you may be responsible for paying up to a 15% excess charge on your equipment.

There are a couple of Medicare supplement plans that cover excess charges for you, such as Medicare Supplement Plans F and G. Consider one of these if you want to be sure that any excess charges will not fall to you to pay.

What about Portable Oxygen Concentrators?

Unfortunately, Medicare will not pay for a portable oxygen concentrator if you are already using Medicare’s oxygen rental benefit. The reason for this is that Medicare pays the supplier the same amount whether the supplier gives you a portable tank or a portable concentrator.

Since the tanks are considerably less expensive than the concentrators, most DME suppliers will only provide you with tanks because it is cheaper for them to do so.

If this is truly an inconvenience, ask your supplier if they offer smaller liquid tanks that could also be billed to Medicare Part B.

Women are taking the workforce by storm and make up nearly 47% of all workers as they expand into more unconventional roles. 70% of those women are working moms that often struggle to maintain both their career and breastfeeding goals, due to the stigmas attached to mothers in the workplace. However, employers can relieve that stress by easily supporting their workings moms and often benefit with an ROI of 3:1 with resulting lowered healthcare costs, decreased turnover rates and increased productivity.

The Benefits Of Supporting Working Moms

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants for six months, then to continue breastfeeding while gradually introducing food for up to a year. This is because breast milk naturally contains essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, making it the perfect baby food. It helps babies build immunity and protects them against viruses.

However, according to a recent survey working moms aren’t getting the necessary support to fulfill their breastfeeding goals. Out of nearly 1,000 expectant or breastfeeding mothers, many felt like their job could negatively impact their breastfeeding goals.

63% of moms felt as if there is a stigma attached to breastfeeding moms at work.
47% considered making a career change due to needing to breast pump at work.
49% of mom worried that breastfeeding at work could impact their career.

By taking a few simple steps to create a lactation room and supporting working mothers’ breastfeeding journeys, there are exceptional benefits for families and employers.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom:

Many physically recover from giving birth at a quicker rate than mothers who don’t breastfeed.
Save up to $1,500 during the first year by not having to purchase formula.
Increases the ability to bond with their baby.
Lowers the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, certain types of breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.

Benefits For Baby:

Lowered risk of developing childhood obesity or leukemia.
Lowered risk for allergies, asthma, or SIDS.
Reduced risk of costly, common infections such as gastroenteritis, ear infections, respiratory infections, and intestinal infections by 50%.

Benefits For Employers:

Healthcare Savings:

One company benefited from annual savings of $240 thousand in reduced healthcare costs after implementing a supportive breastfeeding program.

Prescription pharmacy costs were reduced by 62%.

Program participants averaged the cost of $1,269 per newborn while nonparticipants average $3,415 per newborn.

Increased Productivity:

Savings of $60k were generated due to a 77% reduction in lost work after implementing a lactation program.

Another company reduced its absenteeism rate from the national average of missing 9 days of work, due to caring for a sick infant, down to only 3 days.

Decreased Turnover Rate:

83% of employers reported feeling more positive about their workplace.

67% of workers wanted to stay with the company as their longtime employer.

Partnering With Aeroflow To Support Working Moms

Let us assist you in showing your moms that you care as an employer and empower them by assisting with the process of receiving a breast pump through insurance.

Once a mother is expecting, she can simply notify the HR department to receive her portable breast pump, which will help her express milk at work. Some employers provide two pumps, one for the mother to use at work and one at home, so they don’t have to tote them back and forth every day.

Also, as employers understand the different types of breast pumps available, they can better suit the needs of their moms by providing a hospital grade pump for preventative care if needed.

We will navigate insurance policies to ensure your moms receive the perfect pumps at little to no cost as you benefit from truly supported moms with cost savings and increased rates of engagement.

As a breast pump expert and advocate for breastfeeding rights and education, we can guide your lactation room design, provide in-service courses for education, and partner to create emails to go out to your new expectant mothers, assisting them with what to consider while they’re expecting.

Creating A Lactation Room

The process of implementing a supportive breastfeeding program doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. All you need is a few simple items to help your working moms feel comfortable and accepted.

Basics of the perfect breast pumping room include:

A private room with a locking door.
A comfortable chair.
Surface to place breast pumps and accessories.
Relaxing lighting and art on the walls.
Mini fridge for milk storage.
Microwave for pump sanitation.
Schedule for moms to work out their pumping times.
Access to electrical outlets.

In order to create a proper lactation policy, it’s important that you refer to the law in terms of providing reasonable break time for moms to express breast milk, as well as a private space for the purpose of breast pumping.

Be sure to put a swift end to any negativity overheard about mothers taking frequent breaks to pump during the day. Moms will need about 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours, depending on their pumping schedules.

A few general guidelines to consider include:

Allow employees to use the lactation room for up to one year after their infant’s birth.
Do not disturb breastfeeding employees while they’re using the lactation room.
Employees should make their managers aware of their pumping schedule.
Employees that use their lunch breaks or paid break times should be compensated as usual.
Supervisors and the HR department are obliged to communicate this policy.
All employees should support new moms. Do not tolerate comments, disturbance, or victimization.

Need help implementing a policy for your moms? Contact Aeroflow Healthcare!

Wound therapy can often be both expensive and difficult for the patient. Recent developments in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy or “Wound-vacs” have provided an alternative solution for the patient that can be very effective and cost-efficient. Many different types of wounds, either chronic or acute, can now be treated utilizing this therapy. You can even use this breakthrough technology in the comfort of your own home.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy can help people heal faster, discharge from the hospital sooner, and thereby save healthcare costs.

What Is Negative Pressure Wound Therapy?

A therapeutic technique using a vacuum dressing to promote healing in acute or chronic wounds. Therapy is performed by applying controlled sub-atmospheric pressure evenly to the local wound environment, using a sealed wound dressing connected to a vacuum pump.

Who Is A Candidate For Negative Pressure Wound Therapy?

Candidates for negative pressure wound therapy include individuals suffering from:

Chronic ulcers caused by unrelieved pressure (bedsores), diabetes mellitus, venous insufficiency or arterial insufficiency
Wounds with copious drainage
Chronic wounds that have not responded to other treatments
Acute or surgical wounds at high risk for infection

Negative pressure wound therapy can be used on wounds such as: open fractures, infected wounds, skin grafts, pressure ulcers and more.

Where Can I Get A Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Machine For Home Use?

Aeroflow Healthcare can provide a NPWT machine, as well as foam and gauze wound dressing kits, combined with multiple drain options. Aeroflow Healthcare offers the Invia Liberty by Medela and the Avance by Medela therapy options. Patients looking for more information about NPWT home treatment should complete the qualify form on our website, or purchase one here.

When Is Negative Pressure Wound Therapy No Longer Necessary?

The best sign of treatment completion is when there are no clinical signs of active infection at the wound site. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most successful treatment plan. Any questions about discontinuing Negative Pressure Wound Therapy treatment should be discussed with your physician.

How Does A Negative Wound Pressure Therapy Machine Work?

Foam dressings apply mechanical forces to the wound to create an environment that promotes wound healing. These forces are known as macrostrain and microstrain.

Macrostrain is the visible stretch that occurs when negative pressure contracts the foam. It draws wound edges together, provides direct and complete wound bed contact, evenly distributes negative pressure, and removes infectious substances.

Microstrain is the microdeformation at the cellular level, which leads to cell stretch. It reduces edema, promotes perfusion, and promotes granulation tissue formation by facilitating cell migration and proliferation.

Exciting news Lymphies! Kathy Bates is advocating for you as the spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) in order to have more lymphedema research performed and to gain more insurance coverage for treatment and equipment.

Kathy Bates Testifies For Improved Lymphedema Treatment

Kathy Bates and an army of strong, dedicated activists made their way to Capitol Hill to advocate for misunderstood lymphatic diseases as planning for 2020 fiscal year takes place. Lymphedema has been under-diagnosed, under-treated, and largely ignored for too long, but now with Kathy Bates leading the charge, she may be able to inspire the necessary change needed to improve the lives of fellow patients struggling with diseases.

Seven years ago, Kathy Bates was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a double mastectomy, her surgeons felt it necessary to remove 19 lymph nodes from her left armpit and 3 from the right. This is a common cause of lymphedema, and even though Kathy is grateful to still have her life and to be cured of cancer, she now struggles with a life long condition, lymphedema.

You are not alone in facing common lymphedema symptoms, as Kathy has also faced swelling, mobility, hospitalization for potentially fatal infections, time-consuming daily care regimens, and purchasing expensive compression garments.

Through her personal journey, Kathy learned that over 10 million Americans suffer from lymphatic diseases and it should be made clear to Congress that more treatment options are desperately needed.

Many develop lymphedema after experiencing cancer treatment, including ⅓ of breast cancer survivors, and thousands with ovarian cancer. For some it’s congenital, and veterans get the disease from trauma infections.

Lymphedema currently has no cure in sight and no approved drug therapy. Only three studies have been performed worldwide to seek new lymphedema treatments, as patients silently suffer and their disease progresses.

Through the lymphie network, Kathy heard many inspiring stories that motivated her to continue the fight by asking Congress to:

Provide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with $41.6 billion for the 2020 fiscal year and advance lymphatic disease research by expanding resources and encouraging better coordination among relevant Institutes and Centers.
Establish a National Commission on Lymphatic Disease Research at the NIH to identify emerging opportunities, challenges, gaps, structural changes, and recommendations on lymphatic disease research.
Provide the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with $7.8 billion for FY 202 and enable programmatic activity on lymphatic disease education and public awareness.
Expand access to compression garments by requesting passage of the Lymphedema Treatment Act this year. Although this Committee doesn’t deal with insurance issues, we believe it’s important to concurrently make the case for the passage of the LTA.

About LE&RN

The Lymphatic Education & Research Network is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1998 to fight lymphatic disease and lymphedema through education, research, and advocacy. LE&RN provides valuable educational resources to millions of patients suffering from lymphatic diseases. They also foster and support research that will expand the medical community’s understanding of the lymphatic system.

We Can Help With Insurance

If you’re suffering from lymphedema we can help you qualify to receive a lymphedema pump through insurance. Simply fill out our online form and we will review your coverage and options with you. Then we will submit all of the necessary paperwork to your providers and guide you through the process to qualify for the medical supplies you need.

We will continue to advocate for lymphedema awareness and assist patients in qualifying for the medical supplies they need to help patients experience an improved quality of life!

A knee brace can be worn for a variety of reasons. One of the most popular reasons often involves a painful injury. Others choose to wear a knee brace to prevent an injury as is the case in many sports like weight lifting or running.

Stay active & healthy with a knee brace

While there are a variety of knee braces for you to choose from, it is also important to understand that a good knee brace can support your decision to stay active.

5 ways a knee brace can help you to commit to being healthier:

If you suffer from arthritis or other structural knee problems, you should know that wearing an unloader or offloader knee brace may be able to help you in your quest to stay active.
Certain warm-up exercises before engaging in low-impact exercise may require a knee brace to prevent injury. A simple exercise like a stand up where you are stepping up and down a set of steps to warm up your heart and leg muscles will be a lot easier if done while wearing a knee brace.
One of the best exercises to address knee pain is simply to walk. Your doctor will be able to help you to decide what brace is best for your body type so that you can engage in walking or other low-impact exercises.
A good knee brace is often important to keep your leg muscles and ligaments in good condition. However, if you are not wearing the right shoes, you may be causing further damage. Visit your local sporting goods store to get professionally fitted for sneakers that will fit your activity.
A knee brace can help to improve your posture. It may not be obvious at first, but knee pain can impact our posture in ways that can hurt our back. Your head ideally should be centered over your shoulders while your shoulders are center over your abdomen and pelvis.

Four Types of Knee Brace:

Prophylactic: These knee braces help the wearer to prevent injury during contact sports like football.
Functional: These knee braces are worn by those who have already suffered an injury.
Rehabilitative: This category of knee braces is worn to limit movement in those who have suffered an injury or is recovering from a surgery.
Unloader or Offloader: This knee brace helps to relieve pain and inflammation in those with arthritis in the knees.

Your doctor will be able to help you decide which category of the knee brace is right for your condition and circumstances.

Being healthy is about a lot more than just going on a diet. You want to make sure that your body is supported by using health aids like a knee brace so that you can avoid injury. Medicare and other private insurance may be able to help curb the cost of your next knee brace purchase, so get started today to find your perfect solution! If insurance doesn’t cover your knee brace, buy one today at a discount price. Shop now!

Dust, pet dander, pollen, and smoke. Each of these words can strike fear in the hearts of those who suffer from seasonal allergies, depending on what season it is. However, allergies aren’t only for adults to worry about. They can affect your children as well. If you find them coughing or wheezing as the seasons change, they may need a nebulizer for allergies and asthma. Sometimes, the treat isn’t just seasonal. Allergens and asthma can attack all year round.

Nebulizer For Allergies And Asthma

How Allergens Contribute To Asthma

When allergens such as pet dander enter the body through your nose, lungs, skin, or eyes, your body creates chemicals called lgE antibodies and release histamines. Histamines try to remove the allergens by causing inflammation, swelling, watery or itching eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing. In some cases, allergic asthma may cause the immune system to overreact and tighten the airway muscles. As a result, the airways can become inflamed and flooded with thick mucus, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, rapid breathing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Spring And Summer Allergens

Pollen is everywhere you look in the spring and summer. For months flowers, trees, grasses, grains, and more release pollen in the air, causing people to sniffle, sneeze, and wheeze. On top of that, even if you think you’re safe, away from all of the blooms, pollen can travel for miles and set off your histamines. Then physical activities that involve running through the grass or using your lawnmower can stir up these particles, causing them to settle on multiple surfaces from your clothes, the walls, vehicles, and more.

You may think it’s safe to relax when the spring/summer showers begin to wash all that pollen away, but the rain actually promotes the growth of weeds and other plants. The wind accompanying rainstorms can also stir up and spread particles.

In the summer warmer days promote the release of pollen, especially from grasses. Which is why hay fever often occurs during summer, when it’s time to cut hay.

Smog tends to be worse during the summer as it creates ozone at the ground level as car exhausts and fumes spread chemicals into the air. The calm winds of summer and strong sun do little to disperse these particles, leaving smog to settle like clouds.

Fall And Winter Allergens

In the fall as we run the heater for the first time in months and the damp leaves fall to the ground you may start to notice your eyes becoming itchy or a little difficulty breathing. This is because ragweed pollen is released in the fall and can travel for miles. Even if you don’t live near ragweed the pollen can find you. Plus, the damp leaves create the perfect environment for mold.

In the winter, turning the furnace on sends mold and dust up into the air. Plus, more dust collects and dust mites may run rampant. Also, you probably spend more time indoors with your pets who you might be allergic to.

Cold dry air can worsen asthma. Plus, when it’s cold, people have more sinus issues and upper respiratory infections that can trigger and worsen attacks.

Also, allergies can contribute to asthma and trigger attacks or make attacks worse. This is known as allergic asthma or allergy-induced asthma. If you’re allergic to mold, dander, dust, and more, inhaling them causes your body to release histamine. Swelling, inflammation, coughing, sneezing, mucus, and more may occur as a result, making it more difficult to breathe.

How Do Nebulizers Help?

Nebulizers are essentially an asthma machine even though they provide breathing treatments for a variety of lung conditions such as chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and more.

Nebulizer machines are for patients who need breathing treatments to help them easily breathe on their own. There are electric and battery-powered portable nebulizers that you can easily carry with you to use at a moment’s notice.

They have a base that holds an air compressor, a container for liquid medicine, tubing to connect the medicine and compressor, and a mouthpiece or mask. Nebulizers work by turning liquid medicine into an inhalable mist.

Users simply have to hold the mask to their face and inhale, making nebulizers an easy to use option for children that are too young for inhalers or those with severe asthma.

Nebulizer treatment generally consists of sitting still for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day. A metered dose of the medicine is quickly pumped into your throat to inhale and absorb for quick relief.

Typical inhalable nebulizer medicines include:

Albuterol
Ipratropium
Budesonide

Receiving Your Nebulizer Through Insurance

You might be able to have your nebulizer machine covered by insurance. Simply fill out our quick qualification form to get started and we will contact you with your options. Then we will speak with your insurance company and doctor to make sure everything is taken care of to have your nebulizer shipped right to your front door! We carry pediatric nebulizers and nebulizers for adults.

Preventing Allergies And Asthma

In the fall and winter months, along with getting your nebulizer, there are a few steps you can take to reduce irritation and prevent allergy attacks.

Clean on a regular basis to get rid of dust and allergens. Wash the binds and curtains. Wash your bedding at least once a week. Sweep, mop, and vacuum often.
Avoid sitting near fires. You could be allergic to it, it can irritate your sinus cavities, and it triggers asthma attacks.
Take a shower before going to bed. During the day your hair and clothes collect dust and allergens that you don’t want to put in your sheets, which is why you should rinse off!
Wear a mask to filter out pollen while doing outdoor activities.
Check the pollen report before considering outdoor activities. If you decide to still exercise outdoors during a high pollen alert, avoid obvious triggers.
Pollen is most active in the mornings and evenings, so plan your outdoor activities accordingly to avoid those times.
If you exercise outdoors during the winter, warm up for about 20 minutes inside first to prepare your lungs for the shock of the cold air.
Bundle up before exposing yourself to cold temperatures. Use a scarf or facial wrap to keep the air you inhale warm.
Stay healthy by exercising, eating fruits and veggies, washing your hands regularly, and by getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night to help fend off colds and flu.
Change your air filter to prevent dust, mold, and allergens from recirculating into the air. Also, you can use a dehumidifier to kill dust mites.
Use your nebulizer on a regular basis. Using it at the same times every day will reduce the chance of having an asthma attack.
Use allergy or asthma medications as directed by your doctor.

When you think about sleep apnea your brain probably strays pretty far from your feet. Especially since sleep apnea affects your breathing during sleep. So, what do your feet have to do with any of that? Well, you’re in for a surprise because compression stockings help sleep apnea. That’s right, simply wearing a different type of sock during the day could bring you tons of relief at night.

How Compression Stockings Help Sleep Apnea

The Fluid Collection Issue

Compression stockings are used to help those with poor circulation because if your blood doesn’t properly flow it can pull and cause edema as fluid to collects in certain areas, such as the legs. This is very dangerous as it can lead to blood clots and strokes.

Symptoms of edema or fluid collecting in your body’s tissues include swelling of the legs, hands, ankles, or arms, increased abdominal size, stretched or shiny skin, skin that retains dimples, and more.

Throughout the day this fluid can shift to your neck, increasing the size of your soft tissue, causing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) to become worse. OSA is the condition in which your breathing suddenly stops multiple times during the night due to your airways becoming narrowed or blocked as the soft tissue around your throat collapses.

As your neck collects more fluid and becomes heavier, it’s more likely to cause your airways to collapse during the night.

The Compression Solution

A recent study by Dr. Stefania Redolfi suggests that compression stockings help sleep apnea by getting rid of some of the excess fluid as they gently squeeze your veins to prevent blood from flowing backward and collecting.

Volunteers participating in the study were observed during their sleep and had changes in their leg fluid volume and neck circumference recorded.

Those who were randomly chosen to wear compression stockings during the day experienced an average fluid reduction of 62% compared to those who didn’t wear the support stockings. Also, the amount that their neck circumference was reduced by 62% which equaled a 36% decrease in sleep apnea events during rest.

When a sleep apnea patient inquired about this study, a patient with lymphedema responded, “I have primary lymphedema and sleep apnea. Been using compression 23\7 and my CPAP and notice a huge difference in the quality of life.”

A separate study hypothesized fluid from the legs shift to the neck and contributes to obstructive sleep apnea. The study found wearing below the knee compression socks decrease obstructive sleep apnea severity modestly!

Don’t Stop Using Your CPAP

Even though wearing compression stockings during the day can help with sleep apnea, you still want to use your CPAP for Sleep Apnea. It’s the most effective treatment option because it sends a constant flow of air through your airways during the night to keep them open.

Other activities that help sleep apnea include:

Making healthy lifestyle choices such as incorporating exercise and healthier food options into your diet to help you lose weight.
Avoid drinking alcohol six hours before bed.
Stop smoking.
Don’t self-medicate with sleeping pills or take allergy medicine before bed.
Avoid sleeping on your back.

More About Compression Stockings

Pressure stockings are used to help a variety of conditions from diabetes, varicose veins, blood clots, postpartum edema, lymphedema, and more. Along with improving blood circulation compression stockings also reduce swelling and pain.

Your doctor will prescribe compression stockings if you need them for any reason. They will also measure your legs to determine what size and amount of pressure you need for daily use. Compression stockings with a lower pressure setting usually don’t require a doctor’s prescription.

It’s best to put your stockings on as soon as you wake up in the morning. If you walk around a little first your legs may swell, making it more difficult to put your support stockings on. However, you will have to remove them shower. Then wear them all day until you’re ready for bed. Do not sleep in your compression socks!

Medicare Face-to-Face Appointment for Durable Medical Equipment

When you choose a Durable Medical Equipment supplier, you want to make sure that getting your equipment is as seamless as possible. Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is any equipment that provides therapeutic benefits to a patient in need because of certain medical conditions and/or illnesses. Sometimes, patients urgently need this medical equipment. This is why it’s so important to understand Medicare’s DME requirements.

Aeroflow Healthcare is compliant with all Medicare requirements, including the most recent developments. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to stay up to date on the latest policies, so we can assure patients our medical equipment is provided legally and the process is as smooth as possible.

Medicare Face to Face Guidelines

The Affordable Care Act requires that a physician (MD, DO or DPM), physician assistant (PA), nurse practitioner, (NP) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) has had a face-to-face examination with the beneficiary within six months of the written order for and delivery of select medical devices supplied by a DME.

The patient will come in and see the physician for an exam. The physician will, only after seeing the patient, write the order for the device.

Figuring out which devices require a face-to-face examination can sometimes be confusing for the patient. That’s why we make sure we remain apprised of any changes that occur where this rule is concerned. Here are just a few common DME needs that may require an exam.

Nebulizers

Nebulizers commonly treat conditions that can cause difficulty with breathing, such as asthma. They atomize liquid medicine into an inhalable form, making it easier to administer than oral medicine, particularly for infants. They are available in electric or battery-operated versions, and in different sizes. Medicare requires you to get a nebulizer machine through a Medicare-approved supplier, like us.

Ventilators

Some people will need a machine that supports breathing. Ventilators are usually used in hospitals. Some people may need to use ventilators long term or for the rest of their lives. In these cases, they can be in the home, or in a long-term care facility. Ventilators offer volume and pressure support the treat a variety of conditions, while they can be invasive or noninvasive. Invasive treatments include the use of an endotracheal tube, while noninvasive therapy administrators ventilation support through a mask.

CPAP Machines

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy is most commonly used to treat breathing problems. One of the most common conditions treated with a CPAP machine is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sleep apnea is an incredibly common condition defined when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing airflow to become reduced or to stop completely. It can lead to many health issues, so this equipment is crucial for those who suffer this condition as the continuous air pressure prevents their airways from becoming blocked during sleep.

Power Mobility Devices (PMD)

Under the stipulations, power mobility devices, such as scooters, require a face-to-face examination with a physician before being approved. Medicare patients who want coverage for a PMD must have a temporary or permanent disability that impairs mobility. The rental or cost of purchasing a Power Mobility Device will be covered by Medicare Part B as long as it is used mainly in the home or their home facility. This does not mean it cannot be used outside the home, just that the primary use must be within the home.

Power Wheelchairs

A Face-to-Face visit is also required for some wheelchairs, including power wheelchairs and motorized wheelchairs. The distinction between a power wheelchair and a power mobility device is that the wheelchair is defined as being controlled by a joystick or an electronic device rather than a tiller. Generally, they are needed by those who cannot use a cane, walker, or standard manual wheelchair. They are easily controlled with the use of a joystick and can be maneuvered in tight spaces around the home to assist those with mobility issues.

Oxygen Therapy

Medicare will cover home oxygen therapy, but there are specific coverage requirements including a face-to-face doctor’s appointment. Supplemental oxygen therapy treats people with chronically low oxygen from conditions like COPD or cystic fibrosis. The face-to-face appointment must have the physician conduct an in-person examination and a document that records the proper medical expert evaluated the patient for a condition that needs a DME item.

Hospital Beds

Hospital beds offer patient comfort and mobility because caregivers can wheel them to different areas of the home. Some are even electric to provide patients with the option of easily changing positions during the day when mobility issues and other conditions place them on bed rest. Medicare Part B can help pay for a hospital bed if it is determined to be “medically necessary” as prescribed by a doctor.

Urinary Catheters

Broadly, Medicare will cover up to 200 intermittent catheters a month.

Durable Medical Equipment & Medicare Part B

Typically, Medicare Part B covers medical equipment if your doctor determines it to be medically necessary. The DME items above and many others do require a face-to-face consultation to determine medical necessity. Medicare Part B will typically pick up 80% of the cost, and you will have a coinsurance of 20%.

Our team works with you and your insurance to ensure that the proper appointments are made. Because proper documentation is vital for Medicare coverage, we file all proper documentation. Also, we make sure our team is knowledgeable and diligent in following through with your insurance so that out of pocket costs are minimal and there are no surprises. At Aeroflow, we’re more than happy to guide you through the insurance process.

If your child suffers from asthma, COPD, allergies, chronic bronchitis, and more, then they may have a nebulizer or an inhaler to help treat their symptoms. However, when they’re away from their nebulizer and an asthma attack occurs, an inhaler spacer can make a major difference for properly getting medication to dissipate into the lungs quickly.

Why You Need An Inhaler Spacer

First, What Does An Inhaler Do?

Inhalers are small medical devices that can easily be taken with people in order to prevent or relieve symptoms with breathing difficulties such as asthma attacks, wheezing, and coughing. They are often referred to as puffers because they release a puff of medicine into your lungs. Inhaler medications relieve symptoms by widening your airways and relaxing your muscles, allowing you to recover from an attack and breathe normally. A bronchodilator is another type of medicine that can be administered by inhalers to clear mucus out of the airways.

Some people use their inhalers before activities such as working out or participating in sports, while others wait until they experience breathing difficulties.

How Does An Inhaler Spacer Help?

An inhaler spacer is a small device that is added to the end of an inhaler to assist with properly inhaling the medication. They are tubes that hold the medicine for you to inhale if inhalers seem to puff too quickly.

This can be helpful during asthma attacks or when you’re rapidly breathing to ensure that your medicine quickly enters the lungs. Often times people can miss their airway and coat the roof of their mouth or throat with their medication instead. Spacers also help children use their inhalers more easily.

How To Use An Inhaler Spacer:

Attach the spacer to the mouthpiece of your inhaler
Shake your inhaler
Insert one puff of medicine into the spacer
Place your mouth on the end of the inhaler
Inhale the medication with one full, deep breath and hold it for about five seconds or try tidal breathing by breathing in and our normally for four breaths
Slowly exhale and wait about a minute if you need a second puff

You’ll need to clean your spacer about once a week or after you recover from a cold or respiratory infection. To clean your spacer:

Remove it from your inhaler
Place it in warm soapy water to soak for about 15 minutes
Rinse it thoroughly
Allow it to completely dry

What About A Nebulizer?

A nebulizer is a compact device that uses compressed air and aerosol medicine to provide a way for children to easily inhale their medication. Generally, they’ll wear their mask and mouthpiece for about 15 minutes.

They are a great inhaler alternative for children that are too small or afraid to use inhalers. Many nebulizer machines are lightweight with child-friendly designs that can be powered by batteries or in the car, making them portable. However, inhalers are much easier to carry around.

If you or your child needs an inhaler, nebulizer, or spacer, then qualify through insurance! Save money as your items arrive directly to your front door on a regular basis and most importantly, breathe easy now!

Don’t live with the pain of disc problems. If you’re experiencing pain in your spine as a result of a disc injury, it’s important to get the problem diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Your spine will thank you.

Let’s go over how disc problems are diagnosed and treated so you know what to expect when consulting a chiropractor about your back pain.

All About Spinal Disc Problems

Your spine is composed of 33 vertebrae which protect your spinal nerves. Your vertebrae compose the communication center for your entire body. Between each vertebra, there are soft, spongy discs that protect your spine and give it flexibility. In particular, the combination of discs and vertebrae give your back the ability to move and bend. Discs also protect the vertebrae by acting as padding between the bones.

You may experience problems with your discs when they’re moved unnaturally or placed under excess pressure. When your discs can’t do their job correctly, you’ll find yourself in pain and your spinal movement will be negatively affected.

Symptoms Of Disc Problems

You may develop a disc problem in your neck, middle/upper back or lower back. Regardless of location, you may experience these pain symptoms:

Pain
Numbness
Tingling
Weakness
Swelling
Pressure
Urinary incontinence (severe cases)

Three Common Types Of Disc Problems

There are three types of disc problems that you may be experiencing, depending on your situation. Each problem has a distinct cause, though all of them will be painful and affect your spinal health. Let’s take a closer look at all three.

1. Bulging Discs

A bulging disc results when the disc protrudes from its normal placement, usually due to pressure, trauma or decay. Whenever the disc loses its original shape, it begins to cause problems in the vertebrae structure. When this happens, the disc gets knocked out of place and lodges itself in an unnatural position. This can be extremely painful.

This may sound similar to a herniated disc, but it’s distinct in the sense that the entire disc bulges from its placement. In the case of a herniated disc, the disc and its spongy interior separate and the “gel” becomes dislocated.

2. Herniated Discs

A herniated disc is also called a slipped disc or a prolapsed disc. As previously mentioned, a herniated disc occurs when the disc begins to break down due to injury, stress or decay. When this happens, the disc wall cracks and release its interior “gel.” This “gel” then escapes and comes into contact with other nerves outside of the disc itself. The most common metaphor for a herniated disc is a doughnut and its filling separating and spilling into other areas.

3. Degenerative Disc Disease

As its name suggests, degenerative disc disease results from aging and decay. As these natural processes occur, discs decay, including their shape, outer wall, and overall health. With degeneration, disc problems start to become more likely. In general, when the disc problem is a result of degeneration, it’s called degenerative disc disease. However, degenerating conditions for discs may include bulging discs, herniated discs, or other problems such as spinal stenosis or osteoporosis.

Generally speaking, disc degeneration creates the following spinal changes and commonly affects the lumbar and cervical regions of the spine:

Disc “gel” becomes weak and injury-prone
Cracks develop in the outer disc layer
Loss of disc fluid, causing painful rubbing between vertebrae
Bone spurs that place pressure on spinal nerves

Self-Care For Your Disc Condition

While aging is a fact of life, you can maximize your spinal health in the following ways:

Rest your back muscles by avoiding high-impact sports and jobs that involve heavy lifting.
Take care of your back with hot and cold compresses.
Stretch and exercise your back with a chiropractor-approved workout plan.
Wear a back brace designed to support a disc condition.
If you need to lift something, use proper lifting techniques.
Lose weight and quit smoking.
See a chiropractor regular for spinal care.

Diagnosing Disc Problems

When you’re experiencing any of the disc symptoms above, don’t let them go untreated. Your condition could lead to further injury or even heightened pain levels. As soon as you feel back pain with disc symptoms, contact your chiropractor for a check-up.

During your appointment, your chiropractor will try to diagnose your disc problem by looking at several key areas. He/she may physically examine your back and go over symptoms with you. In order to confirm a diagnosis, your chiropractor might also:

Discuss possible causes of injury
Test of nerve function and muscle strength
Review your medical and work history

Treating Disc Problems

After receiving a diagnosis, your chiropractor will then discuss treatment options and home care techniques as well. Depending on your specific situation and where your disc condition is located, different treatment options will be available, including:

Chiropractic care
Physical therapy
MCU therapy (for neck/upper back adjustments)
DRS system (for middle/upper back disc decompression)
Low back pain treatment (for lower back treatment)
Spinal decompression treatments

Usually, a combination of treatment options will be used, such as chiropractic treatments and physical therapy, plus therapy for your specific pain location (upper, middle or lower). These techniques are used together to provide long-term relief and healing.

Final Takeaway

Don’t hesitate to contact a chiropractor near you and start receiving treatments that will heal your disc condition and get you back on track. By treating your disc condition, you’ll get pain relief and prevent future spinal conditions. Specifically, look for a chiropractic clinic – such as Better Health Chiropractic in Anchorage – that offers modern treatment options like spinal decompression. This holistic approach to treating your back will keep it healthy for life.

About Dr. Brent Wells

Dr. Brent Wells is a graduate of the University of Nevada where he earned his bachelor of science degree before moving on to complete his doctorate from Western States Chiropractic College. He founded Better Health Chiropractic in Anchorage. He became passionate about being a chiropractor after his own experiences with hurried, unprofessional healthcare providers. The goal for Dr. Wells is to treat his patients with care and compassion while providing them with a better quality of life through his professional treatment.

We’re proud to announce that Aeroflow Breastpumps’ very own Jennifer Jordan will be participating in the Family Forward NC Summit to discuss family-forward business practices in order to promote supporting working moms.

Don’t Miss Jennifer Jordan Speak At The Family Forward NC Summit!

The Family Forward NC Summit is taking place in order to help improve business conditions all across North Carolina. Employers, business leaders, and community leaders are coming together to inspire North Carolina businesses to attract and retain the best talent, provide family benefits to support healthy development, and improve workplace productivity.

This should help North Carolina to close the skills gap to support future workforce development to brow a stronger economy with healthier families. The agenda has an action-packed line up of speakers that will provide guests with the knowledge and tools to start or continue to start or continue the conversation and action about family-friendly benefits within their organizations.

The summit will take place on April 1, 2019, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the RTI International Horizon Building, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, RTP, NC. Come hungry and ready to learn as lunch will be provided as well as periods of time for the audience to ask panelists questions.

Jennifer Jordan, the Director of Mom and Baby, Aeroflow Healthcare

Jennifer founded Aeroflow Breastpumps after personally experiencing the difficulties involved with needing to breast pump at work. She turned her breastfeeding experience into a passionate mission to assist all mothers by encouraging them on their breastfeeding journey by helping them receive breast pumps through insurance.

Even though providing portable pumps that make it easier for working mothers to express milk for their infants, it didn’t seem to be enough. To truly advocate for breastfeeding mothers the battle goes beyond the pump. They also need privacy, time, and respect.

That’s why Jennifer continued her mission to create a private lactation room within the Aeroflow campus for women to use in order to express milk for their babies. The space is fully equipped with everything a mother needs to feel relaxed and confident as they pump.

She also had a major role in creating and implementing family-friendly benefits for eligible employees such as:

Extending the maternity leave from two paid weeks to six
Up to a $300 reimbursement for the use of a birth or postpartum doula
A breast pump and breastfeeding supplies
The reimbursement of 50% of adoption-related expenses or up to $5,000 per adopted child (as well as access to the rest of the benefits).
1 free subscription to diapers through the Diaper club for the first year of the child’s life, adoption date, or foster placement.

As a result, Aeroflow Healthcare has been certified by the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition as a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace.

This potentially has helped Aeroflow experience the benefits and positive ROI associated with providing family-friendly benefits that other supportive employers have, including:

Increased productivity
Lowered healthcare costs
Decreased turnover rates
Improved retention rates
Lower rates of absenteeism

Creating The Perfect Lactation Room

Aeroflow serves as an example that providing support for working mothers doesn’t have to be difficult of expensive, even in unconventional workspaces such as the Air Force base, Joint Base Charleston. This is why we’ve created a guide to help other employers create a breastfeeding room.

All you need is:

Renovated Breast Pump Room

A private space
Comfortable chair
Side table
Proper lighting
Calming artwork/accessories
Electrical outlets
Microwave
Mini-refrigerator

Don’t miss your chance to learn more from Jennifer Jordan and other industry leaders at the Family Forward NC Summit!

As you gather with friends and family for the holidays, where do you picture your loved ones celebrating together? Most people would say that their home is their gathering place of choice. Rituals, memories, and people all turn a house into a home. As we spend years creating a home, nobody wants to move away for reasons outside their control.

America has an aging population with an increasing life expectancy. Last year, there were over 108 million Americans over the age of 50 and this number expected to grow another 10 million by 2020. In fact, the first human to live to 150 has (probably) already been born! Most people want to live in their own home for as long as possible. Nearly 90% of people over age 65 want to stay in their current home for as long as possible, and 80% believe their current residence is where they will always live. As we age, we will all need a little help.

Aging in Place Design

Aeroflow Healthcare offers a wide range of products that can help people live in their home safely, independently and comfortably regardless of age or ability level. It would be heartbreaking to have the resources on hand that facilitate independence with a home that can’t accommodate installation. Wheelchairs, bathroom safety devices like grab bars, patient room furniture, and oxygen tanks all have specific dimensions that need to be accommodated for when designing a home.

Make sure your bathroom is safe. Shop bathroom safety supplies today.

So, what can you do today to prepare your home so you can age gracefully in it?

Cost Benefits of Thoughtful Home Design

A new construction or home remodel can be expensive, but assisted living isn’t cheap either. The median monthly assisted living costs could range from $2,288 in Missouri to nearly $6,000 in New Jersey. If you live 15 years longer in an assisted living community in Missouri, it will cost over $400,000.

Replacing handles and door knobs, adding grab bars and railings, and expanding door frames are some affordable projects to tackle in the beginning stages of the design. Some simple redecoration can help begin the process, as well. Removing trip hazards such as power cords or rugs can be a small step that encourages safety. As you age and your health needs change, Aeroflow can help by offering quality home healthcare products through insurance such as home and bathroom safety devices, catheters, adult incontinence supplies, and more.

Advice from the Experts

We asked Aging in Place specialists Sean and Laura Sullivan to explain how a home can be designed with considerations to accommodate residents and their needs as they age. Sean and Laura are a husband and wife design team who are both accredited aging in place specialists, and together they create beautiful green homes. Sean is the President and accredited Master Builder of Living Stone, and Laura is the owner and lead interior design for ID.ology Interior Design. We asked them a few questions to better understand how aging in place design can benefit people of all ages.

What exactly is Aging in Place? Aging In Place is the ability for one to live in their home comfortably, safely, and as easily as possible for as long as possible. Building and designing in regard to Aging in Place (for new construction or renovation) means that different construction details or elements are considered in the design phase to ensure the home is suitable for the needs of individuals aging in their home as independently as possible. If a caretaker needs to be brought in, the home lends to their needs as well.

What are some examples of aging in place design? Some Aging in Place design elements would be the inclusion of wider hallways and doorways, sufficient lighting that can adjust to aging eyes, handles and grab bars selected for ease of use, and cabinet and appliance placement planned for limited mobility use. A curbless shower makes it easy for anyone and the extra lighting helps aging eyes.

How can these design elements help a person live in their home? If someone happened to use a walker or wheelchair, the home would be designed with larger spaces to allow the individual to move through the home safely and use each space without barriers. These inclusions can allow someone to stay in the comfort of their own home and avoid moving into an assisted living facility.

What rooms might require more attention than others? The main level of the home, including the master suite and kitchen.

At what age should a person consider aging in place renovation? Considering Aging in Place design is important for individuals of all ages. Aging in Place is not only for seniors or individuals with limited mobility or physical abilities— it makes living in a home easier and more comfortable for ALL ages and ability levels. Also, a young couple could have their aging parents come live with them or a loved one could break a bone and become temporarily in need of Aging in Place elements.

Are there certain home furnishings that are more aging in place friendly? Yes, not only do we consider the physical abilities or needs of individuals, but also their health. Some characteristics of furniture used for Aging in Place homes to be considered would be the seat height and depth, the angle and ergonomics of the backs, weight, arms structure, firmness, and also whether the products are made with healthy components that do not harm the individual’s health.

Are there any stipulations for aging in place when one has a pet? Considerations of amenities for caring for one’s pet could be such things as bathing stations at appropriate heights, feeding stations also at appropriate heights for both the owner and the pet, and easy access to a fenced yard or kennel.

Why is “green” so important for a healthy home and how does Living Stone do “green” differently? Environmentally conscious design is important for many reasons, but the primary reason for us is the health and well-being of our clients. Building green protects the environment, supports local business, uses recycled or recyclable content, uses sustainable resources and utilizes energy resources efficiently. When applied in an above standard manner as Living Stone does, it benefits the health of the homeowner.

Indoor air quality is the missing ingredient in Green Building and that is the real reason many people don’t see the value in paying for “green” materials. However, when you consider that homes are being built with often inadequate ventilation systems, you can actually be causing damage to your health. According to the EPA, we spend up to 90% of our time indoors. Our indoor environment can be more toxic when we fill our homes with products with VOC’s, which are present in everything from cleaning equipment to building materials such as glue, paint, varnishes, and wood preservatives. VOC’s are emitted as gasses from certain solids or liquids and can have adverse effects on your health.

A green home is more than just an energy efficient home. It’s a home that prioritizes your health and wellbeing.

If someone is considering a remodel or new construction that includes Aging in Place, what should they look for in a contractor/builder/interior designer? We are both Certified Aging In Place Specialists as well as Certified Green Professionals, which gives us a more astute awareness and focus on the indoor air quality for our clients’ health.

What are some “outliers” in the design process that most people don’t know about? Any interesting/strange techniques to make a home more comfortable for aging? Most individuals overlook or underestimate the importance and value of space planning during the design phase of a renovation or new construction. Bringing in a professional service like those we offer at Living Stone and ID.ology give our clients the best approach possible when designing a home.

Oxygen therapy or supplemental oxygen assists with a variety of conditions to help improve your quality of life with a multitude of health benefits. It’s often avoided due to a few misconceptions. For example, some feel as if oxygen therapy may be cumbersome when in reality, there are lightweight portable options for home care.

Conditions That Require Oxygen Therapy

Cardiovascular Disease – Or heart disease is an umbrella term for a variety of heart conditions such as heart attack, stroke, blocked blood vessels, narrowed blood vessels, and more. Oxygen therapy helps by supplying the body with the oxygen it needs to properly function and improve blood flow. It also protects the heart from conditions caused by low oxygen levels while helping people feel less fatigued and while preventing breathlessness.

Congestive Heart Failure – Congestive heart failure occurs when your heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should. As the heart muscles weaken, it becomes more difficult to pump blood through the body, and a blood up of fluid could collect in the lungs, liver, abdomen, and lower extremities. Supplemental oxygen can assist with preventing more serious issues caused by low oxygen levels, shortness of breath, and edema by improving circulation.

COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease refers to a variety of lung conditions that contribute to increasing breathlessness such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and more that may block airflow or cause lung inflammation. Oxygen therapy delivers a supply of extra oxygen into the body so enough is absorbed by the lungs to relieve common COPD symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest pain, and more.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) – is an inherited disease that can cause severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs. Cystic Fibrosis can cause persistent lung infections, which makes it difficult to breathe, and it can become increasingly strenuous to clear mucus from your airways. Oxygen therapy helps prevent hypoxemia (low oxygen blood levels).

Sleep Apnea – Sleep apnea occurs when you suddenly stop breathing during your sleep in the night. This can occur as the soft tissues of your throat collapse to block your airways or when the signals from your brain to breathe get mixed up. When you stop breathing, you may not wake up, but your body becomes stressed and your heart rate rises as it works to restore airflow. This may lead to heart disease, diabetes, fatigue, depression, and much more. By having a constant stream of oxygen to keep your airways open and deliver the air your body needs to properly function and rest.

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) – Is a chronic, progressive lung disease that causes the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs to become scared and stiff, making it more difficult to breathe. Shortness of breath increases over time and it can be difficult to absorb enough oxygen for your bloodstream. Supplemental oxygen makes up for this shortage of air by sending contracted air to the lungs to elevate oxygen levels in your blood.

Emphysema – Is another chronic lung disease that occurs when the alveoli or sacs in the lungs become damaged. This is where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is supposed to take place, but once emphysema occurs, the air becomes trapped and may expand or rupture. Oxygen therapy can assist with shortness of breath and prevent hypoxemia so patients have more energy.

Chronic Bronchitis – Is a type of COPD that occurs when the inflamed bronchial tubes produce a large amount of mucus, leading to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Oxygen can help reduce uncomfortable symptoms to make it easier to breathe and lead an active lifestyle.

Bronchiectasis – This form of COPD occurs when the large airways in the lungs become damaged and widened. As a result, it becomes easier for mucus and bacteria to collect, causing multiple lung infections and difficulty breathing. Those with chronic bronchitis may benefit from supplemental oxygen to reduce exacerbation and prevent hypoxemia.

Pneumonia – Is an infection caused by a variety of reasons that causes the alveoli or air sacs in your lungs to become inflamed. They might also fill with phlegm or pus causing a severe cough and difficulty breathing along with a fever and chills. Oxygen therapy can relieve coughing and help patients breathe better to rest and heal.

Asthma – Is a chronic lung disease that causes the airways to become inflamed, constricted, and produce extra mucus. Asthma causes recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and coughing that often occurs in the morning or night. Supplemental oxygen can help you breathe during periods of coughing or wheezing and hypoxemia.

Low Oxygen Symptoms

Often times if you’re experiencing hypoxemia or low oxygen levels in your blood or hypoxia, low oxygen levels in your tissues, you may experience the following symptoms:

Confusion
Lack of concentration
Rapid heart rate
Elevated blood pressure
Skin coloration changes, ranging from blue to cherry red
Sweating
Slow heart rate
Wheezing
Coughing
Anemia

Types of Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen therapy refers to treatments that deliver oxygen gas to your lungs to be absorbed by your blood, and there are a few different types.

Home Oxygen Concentrator – A home oxygen concentrator (HOC) concentrates air from the surrounding room into purified oxygen for medical use within a home setting. Instead of needing oxygen tanks they can be used anywhere. HOC devices generally plug into standard outlets and weigh between 30 to 55 pounds, providing some portability.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator – A portable oxygen concentrator (POC) is similar to a HOC, only smaller. They weight between 5 to 30 depending on how large the concentrator is. The larger the compressor, the more purified oxygen a POC can provide. These are portable machines that can be placed in a bag and used anywhere.

Compressed Oxygen – Compress oxygen is a medicinal gas that is supplied in high pressure-filled cylinders. The tanks come in varying sizes to provide portable options. They do not require a power source and tanks are often replaced on a regular basis.

Liquid Oxygen – Liquid oxygen is similar to compressed oxygen, only it’s been cooled to the point of turning into a liquid. Liquid oxygen tanks are often lighter than compressed oxygen tanks, making them easier to travel with.

Nasal Cannula – A nasal cannula or oxygen cannula is are oxygen tubes that deliver medicinal air from your oxygen device to your lungs. Cannulas have two tubes that allow air to flow directly into your nostrils.

Face Mask – Oxygen masks are lightweight plastic masks that cover the mouth and nose. They attach to your oxygen device via plastic tubing and may be easier for children and infants to use.

Transtracheal Oxygen Therapy (TTOT) – TTOT is an alternative option to the nasal cannula that delivers oxygen directly to the lungs through a plastic catheter that’s inserted in the windpipe. This method can help people maintain a more active lifestyle.

Other Helpful Devices

There are a few other medical devices that may assist with your oxygen needs or other symptoms, such as breaking up excess mucus.

CPAP – A continuous positive air pressure device or a CPAP provides a constant stream of oxygen while you sleep to keep your airways open. They are the most effective method for sleep apnea treatment.

AffloVest – The AffloVest is an oscillating pulmonary vest that acts by targeting specific areas of the lungs to clear secretions. With conditions such as COPD or bronchitis, this vest can make it easier for the lungs to properly function. By having 8 vibrating motors, the AffloVest is able to specifically treat a variety of specific patient needs.

Blood Pressure Monitor – You may already have a blood pressure monitor on hand for conditions like high blood pressure, but they if you use one with the ability to measure oxygen saturation you can measure your oxygen levels at home. Simply wear a finger probe to determine your oxygen saturation levels and see if you’re at risk for hypoxia.

For many people, difficulty with breathing can be a source of frequent anxiety. This anxiety only increases when it’s their child experiencing difficulty breathing. Due to factors beyond their control, it is not uncommon to need and administer some type of treatment or preventative measure on a daily basis. One of the most ever-present and trusted sources of breathing treatments is the nebulizer.

At one time, cumbersome pieces of equipment that could be loud, cumbersome, and frightening to children who had to use them for treatments, but the nebulizer machine has become quiet, accessible, and can even come in fun shapes and colorations. Patients or parents of patients dealing with asthma, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and other conditions that may wonder how a nebulizer works.

Just How Does a Nebulizer Work?

Nebulizer treatment works by atomizing liquid medicine into an inhalable gas form, which can then be easily breathed in by the patient as they wear a nebulizer mask. In addition to being an easier way to administer medicine than traditional oral methods, particularly for infants. Nebulizer medicine also dissipates into the lungs faster, so it can enter the bloodstream more quickly to provide relief as fast as possible.

Mouthpiece or Mask

Typically, a mouthpiece with a longer piece of nebulizer tubing attached to it will enable the patient to inhale their atomized medicine. However, a nebulizer mask is also frequently used. This mask can be a simple clear plastic mask that covers the nose and mouth to allow patients to relax or children to play as their atomized medication flows freely without the need to hold a mouthpiece.

Home Nebulizers

Home nebulizers work off of an AC power source which will plug into any standard outlet, freeing patients to administer treatments in their bedroom, living room, or any other area of the home that they choose. In this way, nebulizer breathing treatments can become less cumbersome and obstructive to daily life activities like cooking, watching TV, or sleeping.

Portable Nebulizers

For added convenience, many patients will be interested to know that portable nebulizers have evolved to such a degree that they can often fit in your purse or a compartment of your car. Utilizing a cigarette lighter or power-port adapter, or rechargeable batteries, portable nebulizers can free patients from worrying about what will happen if they are away from home when difficulty breathing strikes. They will always have access to their nebulizer medicine and can easily replace nebulizer parts if something gets broken or misplaced away from home.

Pediatric Nebulizers

This is equally true of the child-friendly nebulizer machine itself, which can come in any number of fun characters or objects, including cats, racecars, or seals. These characters can be tailored to their child’s preferences, enabling the equipment to blend in with other objects already in their room, comforting them.

By making the treatment visually appealing, parents will be able to make sure that their child’s nebulizer treatment is not something they need to have a conflict with their child over, but something they will accept as part of their daily routine as long as their health requires it. They act as an easier to use asthma machine when children are too small to use an inhaler or if they’re afraid to use one.

If you or your child is dealing with difficulty breathing, a prescription from their physician or pediatrician will be necessary for them to get either a home or portable nebulizer, as well as the respective medicine for the machine itself. Contact Aeroflow Healthcare today to talk to one of our trained representatives about the wide variety of nebulizer equipment we have available.

We will work with your insurance company to ensure that your machine, as well as any replacement or supplemental parts, are provided to you at little to no cost.

How To Use A Nebulizer

When you or your child needs to use a nebulizer you can set it up in a few simple steps:

Put the nebulizer compressor (the main body of the machine) on a flat surface near an outlet.
Make sure each nebulizer piece is clean.
Wash your hands prior to preparing the medication.
Mix your medication if it hasn’t been premixed and add it to the container. Keep the container upright during treatment.
Connect the compressor and liquid container with the tubing.
Prepare the mouthpiece or mask.
Turn your nebulizer on and make sure it’s misting.
Make sure the mouthpiece or mask isn’t leaking. It usually takes about 15 minutes to inhale all of it.

As women experience pregnancy, they are often surprised how common it is to experience lower back, core, and pelvic pain as their bodies change to support their growing baby. However, pregnant moms don’t usually have the option of slowing down, but that doesn’t mean they have to suffer through their normal routine. By using a maternity support band you can remain active throughout the day. Maternity bands are designed to help you while you work, run errands, complete at home chores, workout, and more!

It’s important to know how to protect your back and joints without adding any extra strain, so learn how a maternity support brace can keep you feeling your best!

What is a Maternity Support Band?

A maternity support brace or belly band is a wrap around belt that is specifically designed to support specific areas of the pregnant belly to even distribute baby weight. They are medical devices made of soft, yet durable materials to provide comfort and pain relief.

Belly bands generally wrap around your waist and attach via velcro straps to fit a variety of shapes and sizes, and to continue fitting as your belly continues to grow. They’re also available in multiple sizes.

How Maternity Belts Assist With Back Pain

As your newborn grows and your belly expands, your back begins to support a lot of extra weight and your centers of gravity shifts forward, straining your ligaments. The excess weight can pull you forward, straining your posture and leading to increased pain.

Has the body prepares to give birth, the hormone relaxin is released throughout your pregnancy to loosen the joints, enabling them to stretch enough to deliver your baby. As a result, the sacroiliac (SI) joint and round ligaments in your lower back and hip may become loose and strained. This may cause discomfort and throw off off your balance.

However, by wearing a maternity brace, the pressure is removed from the lower back to reduce pain and can help support the extra weight of your tummy to enhance your posture and provide stability.

This can help you feel comfortable for days that involve a lot of walking or sitting around the office, during travel, help you feel comfortable for lightly exercising, reduce pain for better sleep, and much more.

Providing Gentle Compression

Under your expanding baby pump, the pressure in your lower extremities can build. Making it harder for your circulation and lymphatic system to circulate. Your lymphatic system circulates lymph fluid that carries white blood cells.

Under pressure, the lymph fluid can collect and begin to pull and collect in the legs, ankles, and feet. By providing gentle compression, maternity belts can improve your circulation to reduce swelling and painful fluid collection to prevent edema. They can also increase your circulation to assist with standing for long periods of time, walking, and exercising.

This gentle compression will not harm your baby. Support bands are meant to be snug, but not too tight. Many come with instructions on how to wear them. If your maternity band is too tight you may experience heartburn and indigestion.

Postpartum Support

Giving birth is no easy task. While you just want to start taking care of your newborn, sometimes as your ligaments become torn, abdominals separate, and swelling occurs, postpartum recovery may get interfere.

However, by using a maternity band to support your back and core as you’re healing, it can reduce pain, swelling, and bleeding to help you get back on your feet faster. Activities such as breastfeeding, carrying laundry up the stairs, sanitizing bottles, and more may become easier.

Finding The Right Maternity Support Brace

There are multiple maternity braces, belts, and belly bands to choose from. While considering your options avoid generic compression tops that slip on. Maternity braces are medical devices that provide multiple benefits that other compression tops do not

The best option will be based on your pre-pregnancy pants size and they even have pockets for you the place ice backs in to help reduce swelling.

But the most important thing to keep in mind is that your Maternity Support Band may be covered through insurance, so don’t overpay.

To qualify through insurance refer to the following steps:

Fill out our quick qualification form.
One of our dedicated reps will navigate your insurance coverage and contact you with your options.
Relax with your growing baby as your maternity items are shipped directly to your home.

Regardless of your favorite color, it’s Wear Red Day! National Red Wear Day is actually the first Friday of February every year to kick off American Health Month, particularly for women. Think about it, who has a better heart than your mother, sister, aunt, wife, or daughter? Shouldn’t they protect it? That’s why it’s time to stand together and take charge for a better heart-healthy life. Learn how to protect your own heart health and how to help your loved ones.

Wear Red For Women

Signs and Symptoms Of Poor Heart Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, killing about 200,000 women each year. That’s five times as many deaths as breast cancer. That’s why it’s incredibly important to recognize the symptoms early on, before they strike. You may think you already know them, but heart attacks can look different in women than men.

Early heart attack symptoms include:

Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the jaw, neck, back, or stomach
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
Experiencing a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness
Unusual weakness or fatigue
Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest. It may last for a few minutes or go away and come back.

While the most common symptom for a heart attack in men includes chest pain, women more commonly experience shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain.

So if you experience heart attack symptoms what do you do?

Don’t hesitate to get help. Call 9-1-1 immediately and listen to your operator’s instructions.
Chew on one uncoated aspirin, with water if you’d like. (Check with your doctor to see if aspirin is a viable option. It can interact with other medications.)
Only drive yourself to the hospital as a last resort. Either have someone else drive you or wait for the ambulance.
Remain calm. Take slow, deep breaths as you wait for the emergency responders.

However, heart attacks aren’t the only danger to be aware of. Heart disease or cardiovascular disease refers to a variety of conditions that involve narrowed of blocked blood vessels. Along with heart attacks, this can lead to chest pain (angina), stroke, and other heart conditions that affect the heart muscle, valves, or rhythm.

How To Keep Your Heart Healthy

Adopt a heart-healthy diet. Being overweight, obese, or having diabetes greatly contribute to hypertension and heart disease. However, small dietary changes can help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol, and balance your blood sugar.

Instead of items high in sugar and sodium incorporate heart-healthy foods such as:

Items high in fiber such as fruits and vegetables
Whole grains
Healthy fats from nuts, avocados, and more
Low-fat protein options like fish, chicken, eggs, and milk

Planning your meals ahead of time or googling the menu before going out to eat, can help you stay on track with healthy decisions. You can have the occasional treat such as a candy bar or a small portion of chips, but don’t overindulge. Moderation is key.

The next step involves getting active! Sedentary lifestyles are another factor that can lead to obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. But you don’t have to live in a gym, there are simple ways to get moving without taking up much time. All you need is 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise a few times a week. The 30 minutes can be broken up into 10 to 15-minute segments at a time.

The best ways to incorporate heart-healthy exercise into your routine include:

Walking. Take a walk around your neighborhood, lap the grocery store, or find a loop in a nearby park.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Use the elliptical in a gym or in your living room.
Go for bike rides around your neighborhood or in the park.
Get in the pool to swim laps or to participate in water aerobics.
Get to dancing with your partner, at home, or in a Zumba class.
Relax with yoga.

Happy Wear Red Day

All of us at Aeroflow are sporting red for women. We hope you’ll do your part, not just to promote heart health, but to incorporate heart-healthy lifestyles into your daily activities. Don’t forget to help your loved ones make heart-healthy choices as well! Together we can raise awareness and fight back against heart disease.

Are you ready to love your job in Asheville? Do you want to join a compassionate team of dedicated members full of positivity and friendly energy? Then it’s time to experience the Aeroflow difference. Join our team where creativity, hard work, and passion are highly valued!

10 Epic Reasons To Work At Aeroflow

1. Competitive Pay and Benefits

At Aeroflow we offer comprehensive pay and benefits package. We have been Living Wage Certified since 2017 and all full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, 401(k) plan with company match, and so MUCH more!

2. Work-Life Balance

Tired of working around the clock? At Aeroflow, most of our positions work a consistent, set schedule with nights and weekends off so you can finally enjoy the perks of living in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina!

3. Join A Professional Environment

Leave the drama behind because we are committed to working together to give our best to our customers, our co-workers, and our community every day.

4. The Opportunity to Learn and Grow

Are you ready to grow your career? Great, come climb our ranks. We are continuously investing in the growth of our teams and love seeing our people achieve new levels of success. Working at Aeroflow isn’t just a job, it’s a career!

5. Enjoy A Relaxed, Casual Environment

Enjoy casual wear or come in dressed to the nines…it’s up to you! We believe that peak performance happens when you’re feeling your best so we threw our dress code out the window.

6. Epic Maternity and Paternity Benefits

6 weeks of Paid Maternity Leave is just one of the many benefits and perks we offer for new Moms…new Dads get 2 weeks paid too! We also offer free diapers for a year, a free breast pump, and reimbursement for birth and postpartum doulas! These benefits apply for adoptions as well.

7. Helping People Every Day

You can also provide help on a national level by providing nothing less than exceptional care. It’s part of our ongoing mission to assist more patients in receiving medical equipment necessary for an improved quality of life. We take the hassle out of supplying CPAPs, breast pumps, portable oxygen concentrators, back braces, and more directly to our patient’s homes.

8. Team Building and Great Perks

We aren’t just coworkers, we’re friends, maybe even family. Throughout the year we offer exciting opportunities to unwind together outside of the office! Company cookouts, Halloween costume contest, an Easter Egg Hunts for the kids, and a lot more. Cap the year off with a Holiday Bash to celebrate our successes! Get to know your team outside of the office with on-site yoga and fitness classes, discounted gym memberships, and company-sponsored sporting events such as bowling and kickball.

9. Give Back to the Community

We love being here in the heart of Asheville and encourage our team to assist us with giving back as much as we can. You’ll receive two paid community service days off each year to help out your favorite charity organization or come out and participate as we build houses with Habitat for Humanity, sponsor the Special Olympics, participate in senior bingo, volunteer in food shelters, and much more. We’ve been proud to donate nebulizers to children in need in Nicaragua, emergency supplies to those affected by hurricane Florence, Thanksgiving meals to locals in need, and more.

10. Experience Passion!

Enjoy that special “I love my job!” feeling! Aeroflow is filled with dedicated individuals who love what they do. Go home feeling motivated and satisfied every afternoon by being proud of what you do. Enjoy bragging to your family and friends about how great your job is!

Our theme for 2018 was “Our Best Year Yet” and we’re proud to say that we exceeded our goals in making it easier than ever before for patients to receive their medical equipment and supplies, reaching record sales, increasing employee satisfaction, and focusing on community involvement with philanthropy.

2018 really stands out as a year to showcase the importance of our three C’s with a dedicated commitment to Customers, Coworkers, and Community. By focusing on employee engagement and development we’ve been continuously experiencing an exceptional drive to provide better patient care, give more back to the community we love being a part of, and substantial growth.

2018 In Review

Record-Breaking Growth

With the addition of our new site for Aeroflow Urology and the official launch of the Aeroflow Breastpumps Lactation Support directory help us experience a 30% growth in revenue.

While we originally had the goal of becoming a multimillion dollar company in five years, we actually were able to do so in four.

A major portion of growth can also be attributed to our mergers and acquisitions. By acquiring individual lines of business along with entire operations, those businesses were able to either refocus their goals or exit the industry. We were also able to provide immediate care for their patients to ensure they didn’t go a single day without their medical supplies. A few of our major acquisitions include:

An Increase In Employee Satisfaction

Our team is the true key to success. It’s the people on the phones, in the warehouse, checking on patients, leading new innovative ideas, and more that make us successful. Therefore we’ve taken the time to give back with events such as:

Our annual community garden
Easter egg hunt for families to enjoy
Cookouts where the proceeds go to charity
Clear recognition, awards, acknowledgment, and peer to peer awards
Halloween costume contest

We also support our staff and encourage them to go after their dreams. A few promotions and new hires we’re proud of include:

Scott Sononne – Aeroflow CFO
Rendi Mann-Stadt In – House Counsel
Marshall Staton – Director of HR
Morgan Zink Maternity – Compression Team Leader
Michelle Worley – Unit Manager of Aeroflow Pulminary

The only way you can truly know if employee satisfaction has improved is to measure it. That’s why we used the Gallop Q12 Meta-analysis to report to measure a 10% increase in employee engagement, 21% increase in profitability and a 20% increase in productivity.

While in 2017 we had 100% net growth in new hires, in 2018 we only grew by 6%. This increase is attributed to a lower turnover rate, internal promotions, and becoming more efficient in our operations.

Community Involvement

As long as we have the means to give back to the community, we will. As an apart of our ongoing mission to provide better care for all it’s crucial to assist seniors, those with special needs, people affected by disasters, and more. In 2018 we were able to:

Donate nebulizers and supplies to children in Nicaragua
Donate medical equipment to shelters for hurricane Florance
Sponsor the Special Olympics
Participate in senior Bingo
Volunteer in local soup kitchens
And much more

Our Coveted Awards

Here at Aeroflow, we continued our award-winning tradition by providing unmatched care, being a great place to work, and continuing to expand to provide care for even more patients. In 2018 we received the:

Exceptional Achievements By Aeroflow Breastpumps

Through innovative care and outreach, Aeroflow Breastpumps was able to further their mission of increasing the instance of breastfeeding nationally for all moms by providing the best equipment, support, and education. “By going directly to the source, our moms, we were able to better determine their needs and advocate for their rights”, explained Cheri Hoffman, Aeroflow Breastpumps Brand Manager. “Our community is growing and through connecting with moms to learn about the unique challenges they face, we were able to raise awareness by being the voice for change and providing nothing less than exceptional service.”

Aeroflow Breastpumps was able to:

Launch a nationwide Lactation Support Directory
Welcome the Breast Express to Asheville and co-host a roundtable about Pumping In The Workplace
Learn more about the challenges working and breastfeeding moms face through a “Supporting Breastfeeding Moms in the Workplace” survey
Provide a Pumping Room Makeover to Joint Base Charleston

We Got A Fresh Look

In order to continue diversifying our role and adapt to provide increasingly exceptional healthcare as our national footprint expands we’ve decided to update our brand. This will assist us with becoming more recognizable and trusted brand as we add even more products and services. We’re extremely proud of our new logo, “Live Better Today and Tomorrow.”

What to Expect In 2019

As we journey ahead into 2019 our explosive growth is expected to continue while we introduce new innovative products and services to help us further assist more patients. With the addition of diabetic testing supplies, compression stockings, maternity compression garments, and hemp oil (CBD) products, and more we will be able to provide relief for numerous conditions affecting people of all ages. We will gladly welcome more talented individuals to our team and look forward to utilizing our current expertise for innovative viability.

What is Postpartum Edema?

Postpartum edema, or postpartum swelling, is caused by an excess amount of fluid remaining in the body tissue after childbirth. Swollen extremities (hands, feet, and ankles) and weight gain are the main symptoms of edema. Swelling can lead to the skin looking stretched and inflamed, and sometimes will cause the outer layer of the skin to look puffy or shiny.

Mild edema is extremely common — most women experience some level of swelling after giving birth. The body naturally prepares for childbirth by retaining water to help body tissue adapt to the baby’s growth and naturally eliminates this fluid post-childbirth.

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Pregnancy Swelling

Edema is still somewhat of a mystery but is generally attributed to changing estrogen and progesterone levels. Edema often arises during pregnancy as the growing baby and expanding uterus will put pressure on the vena cava vein running down the right side of the body. This causes blood flow to slow and excess fluid to leak into the tissue of the ankles and feet.

IV fluids administered during childbirth can cause swelling as well — this is seen more frequently with moms who have a C-section and receive medication through an IV, or moms who receive Pitocin during labor. We see this more often with moms who have twins.

Symptoms of edema are often exacerbated on hot summer days and during the evening hours when mom has been standing for long periods of time.

Swelling and Discomfort During Pregnancy

Symptoms usually recede the week after childbirth as the kidneys begin to process and eliminate excess fluids. That said, many women experience swelling several weeks after the arrival of their baby. You can reduce edema through diet, exercises like swimming and garments like compression stockings that prevent painful swelling in the legs and feet.

How Long Does Postpartum Edema Last?

The postpartum swelling in your legs, feet, and hands will naturally go down within the first week after pregnancy. During this time, the body is flushing excess water from the tissue in the swollen regions. This process takes a different amount of time for everyone but can be sped up by eating a lot of healthy foods, staying hydrated and allowing the body to rest and recover.

When is Postpartum Edema a Problem?

You should only worry when you begin to experience symptoms beyond mild to moderate swelling and discomfort. Intense pain in the legs or frequent headaches can be a sign of high blood pressure. If the swelling is located in one area or is on one side of the body, this can be a sign of a blood clot and should be immediately addressed by a physician.

Severe edema is a dangerous condition and can lead to a life-threatening condition called preeclampsia. Signs of preeclampsia include facial swelling, morning sickness, abdominal pain, migraines and fast-paced weight gain (more than 4 lbs. a week). If you experience these symptoms, you should consult your doctor and seek treatment options. In almost all cases, postpartum swelling is nothing to worry about and is merely an inconvenience for new moms.

Can I Take Water Pills?

Any prescription water pill/diuretic is strongly discouraged during pregnancy. After pregnancy, a diuretic can help alleviate your symptoms, though this can usually be achieved through drinking a lot of water and eating foods that are natural diuretics like cucumbers and lemons. Dandelion tea has been known to prevent fluid retention as well.

8 Ways to Treat Postpartum Swelling

Relax, relax, relax! post pregnancy edema is normal and will go away. Keeping a healthy diet, resting and staying hydrated are the best things you can do to keep swelling down.

Eat healthy foods — Snack on foods rich in protein, complex carbs, fruits and veggies and foods rich in Potassium. Avoid sodium and junk foods at all costs!
Add nutrients to your diet — Onion and garlic improve circulation. Broccoli, tomatoes and strawberries provide vitamin C. Almonds, wheat germ and sunflower seeds give an extra boost of vitamin E.
Drink up — It seems contradictory, but drinking lots of water will signal your body to flush out the retained fluids. Along with this, make sure you urinate often to keep the fluids from remaining any longer than necessary. Add lemons, apples, citrus fruits or cucumbers to your water for an extra boost (they’re natural diuretics).
Sit down — Avoid standing for a long time. Don’t cross your legs while sitting; this reduces circulation. Elevate your legs above your heart for periods of 20 minutes throughout the day to improve your circulation and lessen swelling.
Get a massage — This is a perfect time to request a massage from your partner. If you aren’t experiencing much pain, have your partner massage your legs and feet gently.
Acupuncture treatment — This can rebalance internal energy and improve circulation.
Stay cool — Keep your body temperature at a steady level and avoid getting too hot. Heat can significantly increase swelling.
Compression stockings save the day — Maternity compression stockings are a lifesaver for moms who experience swelling in the lower body — put the stockings on first thing in the morning for best results.

You will find that you might sweat or urinate a lot in the days after giving birth — this is the body working to get rid of all the excess fluid and is perfectly normal.

Compression Stockings

Compression stockings are an awesome solution for postpartum edema treatment that reduces extremity swelling during and after pregnancy. The stockings can do wonders for women who experience painful swelling in their lower legs and ankles. Compression stockings also provide relief to those suffering from varicose veins as they increase blood flow and prevent the veins from spreading or getting worse.

3 Types of compression stockings:

Knee high compression socks support your ankle and calf.
Thigh high compression stockings support the leg from the mid-thigh all the way to the toes.
Full-length compression hose offers relief for back pain and supports the entire leg. These stockings begin at the waist and cover the toes for total coverage.

The stockings are available in a range of compression levels. These numbers can be confusing when you first look at them. Simply put, the higher number represents the compression level on the foot; the lower number corresponds to compression at the top of the stocking. Compression level is measured in millimeters of Mercury (mmHg). This describes the amount of pressure the wearer will feel, which is most compressed at the foot and decreases up the leg.

The higher the compression, the tighter the stocking will feel. The pressure stocking levels usually range from light (10-15 mmHg) to firm (30-40 mmHg). Your doctor can prescribe a higher level of compression if any of these compression levels do not reduce your swelling.

If you are suffering from swollen legs, ankles and hands post-pregnancy, find comfort in knowing that there are many ways to lessen the pain and make your busy life as a new mom a bit easier. Maintaining a healthy diet that provides plenty of protein, iron, and vitamins are the best way to flush your body with unwanted fluids.

Though it seems contradictory, there is nothing better for you than drinking lots of water. Spice up your 8-10 daily glasses by infusing cucumbers, lemons or other citrus fruits — these natural diuretics will flush the kidneys and encourage your body to return to its natural state.

Aeroflow Healthcare is committed to following our mission to improve each of our patient’s quality of life through compassion, excellent service, and exceptional products.

Think a Maternity Compression garment could help you through your pregnancy and postpartum recovery?

Going up! The Medicare increase is going into effect January 1st. As a Medicare beneficiary, it’s important to keep up with annual changes in costs and coverages. Be sure to stay up to date with the latest policies to understand how much premiums are going up.

Medicare Increase 2019

Medicare Part B Premium Increase

Medicare Part B covers health services, preventative care services, and supplies such as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) supplies, home healthcare services, physician services, outpatient services, flu shots, diabetes screenings and more.

The monthly rate is only increasing by $1.50, so expect your bill to go from $134 to $135.50. Because about 2 million Medicare beneficiaries will pay less than the monthly Medicare Part B premium the increase is limited and can not be greater than the increase of social security benefits.

Medicare Part B premiums are based on your income and the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) may have bumped members with high income into high premium brackets. As a result, another higher premium bracket was added for 2019. Those making $500k or more and $750k for married couples will pay a monthly premium of $460.50.

Medicare Part A Premium Increase

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care, hospice, surgery, home health care, skilled nursing care.

Only 1% of Medicare beneficiaries pay for a premium for part A. You may see pay a Part A Medicare premium increase if you have less than 40 quarters of employment (one quarter is 3 months of the working calendar year) or if you’re disabled and have voluntarily enrolled.

Those with at least 30 quarters of work or who have married someone with at least 30 quarters of coverage may buy into Part A with a reduced monthly rate which will increase by $8 in 2019, total $240.

Medicare Part B Deductible Increase

The Medicare Part B deductible will increase from $183 to $185 in 2019. This includes Medicaid, employer-sponsored plans, and Medicare Supplement Plan C and F as well as the 20% coinsurance for many covered services.

Medicare Supplement Plans that cover part B can be purchased through 2019. After that Part B deductible plans will not be available for purchase due to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) to balance the budget.

Medicare Part A Deductible Increase

The Medicare Plan A Deductible is increasing by $24 in 2019, from $1,340 to $1,364. If Medicare is your traditional coverage, you’ll be expected to pay this once admitted to the hospital.

In 2019, the Part A inpatient coverage will cover a share of the beneficiaries’ cost for the first 60 days of hospital care in a benefit period with a coinsurance amount of about $348 per day the 61st – 90th day of hospitalization. This is a $6 increase per day from 2018. The amount for lifetime reserve days increased from $670 to $682 per day.

In skilled nursing facilities, Medicare beneficiaries will see daily coinsurance for days 21 through 100 in extended care services increase from $167.50 to $170.50 in 2019.

Medicare Enrollment Reminder

Do you need to change your Medicare coverage? Well, you’re running out of time. Open enrollment opened on October 15th and will close on December 7, 2018. The changes you make will go into effect January 1, 2018.

Remember the open enrollment period is for people who are already enrolled in Medicare. If you need to enroll, do so during your initial enrollment period which is 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, or the 3 months after.

Reviewing your annual change notice and being aware of increasing costs can help you make an informed decision about managing your plan.

If you have any questions visit Medicare.gov.

New year, new you! But what about new Aeroflow? We’re announcing the updating of our corporate brand and identity with the new trademark phrase, “Live Better Today and Tomorrow,” and have refreshed our logo with a sleeker, modern design.

Live Better Today And Tomorrow

The rebranding effort has been a crucial part of continuing to diversify our role in the healthcare industry as we adapt to provide exceptional care and improve the quality of life for a much broader range of patients on a national level.

Since our induction in 2001, as a home oxygen supplier, Aeroflow has grown to provide a large variety of home medical equipment and services from CPAP machines, breast pumps, respiratory supplies, pediatric equipment, and more. And as we look to the future, we don’t see our growth slowing down anytime soon.

As we continue to expand with more healthcare products and services to better assist more patients of all ages, our national footprint will also continue to grow. Which is why refreshing our brand was vital towards becoming more recognizable as a source of extraordinary care.

“Aeroflow’s new brand identity, along with the brand messaging “Live Better Today and Tomorrow” help shape the way Aeroflow is perceived and how their products and services are valued. Our goal was to provide Aeroflow with the tools to strengthen and create enduring relationships with customers well into the future. This new brand execution promises to do just that.,” Chris Enock, Cofounder and Creative Director at Percepted.

Our commitment to the three C’s, customers, coworkers, and community, is also expected to grow with our identity. Refreshing our brand has restrengthened our original goals to provide high-quality care to those in need and to take care of our own.

We love being apart of Asheville and will create more opportunities for residents to work in a motivation environment they’re proud to be a part of. Plus, our growth will allow us to continue as industry leaders by offering top-notch benefits with our “Great Place To Work” Award.

Increasing our national footprint also gives us the ability to contribute even more to our local community with events such as food drives, supporting the Special Olympics, donating to those affected by natural disasters, and much more.

The rebranding effort will take place over time. Our websites and logos will be updated first, then we’ll update our signs, forms, logos, and vehicles. Employees can speak to their team leaders in order to receive a copy of the new official logo.

What To Expect In The Future

As we refresh our brand to better represent the services that we’ve developed as the result of substantial growth across the healthcare industry, we will continue evolving the improve care for patients of all ages facing various health conditions with quality, long-term solutions.

2019 should be another great year for everyone involved with Aeroflow as we seek to assist more people in maintaining their freedom and independence by catering to their individual needs with advanced medical equipment and services.

We will welcome new faces to our teams to help support our growth by providing exceptional customer care and support to match patients will the proper devices and ensure they know how to properly use them.

Live Better Today And Tomorrow serves as much more than a simple slogan, but a beacon of excellence, allowing patients to trust our name in multiple areas of health.

You feel an ache and pop a pill. That’s just the normal routine, right? But have you ever thought to consider that for your back pain there might be a better way to find long-lasting relief? By using a back brace instead of opioids for chronic pain you may experience a greater reduction in pain.

Use A Back Brace Instead Of Opioids For Chronic Pain

Amidst the opioid crisis in America, many studies are actually finding that opioid medications actually provide little, short-term relief for lower back pain. For example, the JAMA Study, “Opioids No Better Than Nonopioids 9n Improving Pain Related Function, Intensity for Chronic Back Pain, Hip/Knee OA” studied 240 patients to discover that opioid painkillers had little to no effect.

The participants suffering from chronic pain were split into two groups, the first group received opioid medication and the second group received nonopioid medications. After 12 months improvement function and improvement in pain intensity were slightly better in the nonopioid group. The group that received opioids were also at a higher risk for adverse effects.

Why Don’t Opioids Provide More Relief?

The opioid definition states that it’ an opium-like compound that binds to one or more of the three opioid receptors of the body. They’re mainly used to treat severe pain because once they bind to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord and organs they block pain signals and release dopamine. Many users experience a relaxing high as well as serious side effects as well as opioid addiction.

Opioid Side Effects:

Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Drowsiness
Insomnia
Dizziness
Physical dependence
Tolerance
Depression

As your body builds a tolerance to opioids over time the side effects may increase and the amount of pain users experience over time. Your body also builds a tolerance to opioids making them less effective, requiring a larger dose to remain effective. This increased resistance can cause anxiety and sleep issues, causing your body to become stressed as sleep and relaxation are necessary for physical and mental healing.

How Back Braces Can Help

Instead of taking risks with dangerous opioid medications, you may find relief with back brace support. By wearing a device made of soft, supportive materials you should be able to regain mobility without the use of mind-altering pain pills.

Whether you need a back brace for posture for lower back pain, you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for your individual needs, including back braces for work. In a professional setting, the use of a brace may be safer than opioids that could cause you to become dizzy and unresponsive on the job.

By providing lower back support back braces are able to improve functionality and reduce pain, allowing users to move around. They work by being placed on your waist with velcro straps that attach to your sides to apply compression to the abdomen and lumbar support. As a result, less pressure is placed on your lower back, spine, ligaments, muscles, and discs to allow healing to occur and offer more stabilization.

The reasons for needing a lower back brace may vary, from having a herniated disc from an injury to spinal disc degeneration with age. Whatever the reason, consider getting a brace at the first sign of pain to stay active.

How To Properly Use Your Back Brace:

1. Visit Your Doctor

Go to your doctor for any tweaks and pain to receive a proper diagnosis. With the right tests and procedures, your doctor will be able to determine the cause of the pain, rule out serious conditions, and to create a treatment plan. Your doctor will tell you if a back brace will be an effective option or not.

2. Don’t Rely On Your Brace Alone

Realize that for lower back pain wearing a brace is only one of the steps necessary for strengthening your core muscles to support your spine. Physical therapy, stretching, yoga, and light exercise may provide relief.

3. Get The Correct Size

Finding a back brace that properly fits is crucial for comfort and support. While most braces are adjustable to contour to a variety of shapes and sizes, make sure yours fits before purchasing it. Refer to sizing charts online or try one on in the store.

4. Get Your Back Brace Through Insurance

Back braces and other medical equipment may be covered through insurance!

5. Don’t Overuse Your Brace

If you wear your back brace for more than a few hours a day or continuously for more than two weeks your back muscles weaken as your back begins to rely on the brace. Strengthening your core muscles is crucial for healing to avoid becoming dependent on your back brace. Follow your doctor’s instructions for use and daily exercise.

6. Take Your Time

Don’t try to speed up your recovery process by biting off more than you can chew. Your brace will not allow you to exceed your physical limitations. Lifting a heavy box or repeated motions such as pulling weeds could re-injure your back if you aren’t strong enough to return to these types of activities. Take your time and work with your physical therapist to determine your strength and limits as you rebuild your core.

For adult and pediatric patients alike with certain medical conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, a nebulizer can be one of the essential pieces of medical equipment in day-to-day life. When these machines experience technical difficulties or do not operate properly, patients can experience dramatic drop-offs in quality of life, and sometimes even life-threatening complications. Because of this fact, it is essential that all patients and caregivers who deal with nebulizers be familiar with basic procedures for troubleshooting nebulizers.

Getting to Know Your Nebulizer

Issues are rarely due to the compressor itself. While these do sometimes break or malfunction, it can take years of use, or trauma such as dropping, to make this happen. In most cases, issues with nebulizers are a result of poor maintenance because the atomized medicine can clog tubing and mouthpieces.

Four Easy Ways to Maintain a Nebulizer

After every use, thoroughly rinse the nebulizer cup, shake out any excess water and let it air dry. Once a day, the nebulizer cup and tubing should be washed with mild soap and warm water and also dried by air.
Make sure to change the filter in the compressor of the machine every 3-6 months to ensure a fine mist is achieved with every use and the motor runs properly.
Replace nebulizer parts by following the manufacturer’s replacement schedule. A generalized schedule can be found on the Aeroflow website.
Keep your nebulizer free from dust that can clog the compressor. This can be done by wiping the machine down daily with a damp cloth or keeping it in a dust free environment like a drawer or cloth bag.

If mouthpieces and tubing are not properly and vigorously cleaned after each use, the medicine can crystallize and clog the machine. A nebulizer won’t mist properly if there is a clog. Additionally, filters should be changed out periodically since they will eventually clog by normal use, leading to the same kind of mist-preventing issues.

Nebulizers can sometimes have bacterial buildup from normal use, particularly if during bouts of bronchitis or other possible bacterial conditions. Because of this, masks and tubing should be frequently sterilized and changed out for more than just preventing clogs.

Sterilizing Your Nebulizer Parts and Equipment

Following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions after each use will prevent any remaining medication in the cup from drying out, which can result in the device not nebulizing effectively. Once a week, your nebulizer will need to be more thoroughly sterilized.

After each treatment:

Wash your hands thoroughly.
Disassemble the nebulizer.
Rinse the mask or mouthpiece with warm water for at least half a minute.
Do not wash nebulizer tubing or compressor.
Shake off excess water and place parts on a clean towel for air-drying.
Reassemble the system and turn on the compressor for a few seconds for drying.

Once a week:

Consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions. You may be instructed to soak all nebulizer parts (except mask, tubing, and compressor) in one part distilled white vinegar/three parts hot water for one hour (do not reuse cleaning solution).
Rinse, shake off excess water, and allow to air-dry on a clean towel.
Reassemble the pieces and tubing and turn on the compressor briefly for drying.

Nebulizer Replacement and Resupply

Often, the ideal scenario in place of troubleshooting nebulizers is to prevent problems from ever arising by making sure that the nebulizer’s interchangeable and disposable parts are frequently replaced. The medicine cup, tubing, filter, and mask are all parts of the nebulizer which should not be used permanently.

Most insurances, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross and other private insurance, will provide to replace the plastic parts such as tubing and medicine cup, at least once every 6 months. Many insurances will pay for filters and masks monthly.

Will My Insurance Replace a Nebulizer?

Yes! Most private insurance companies will cover a replacement nebulizer every five years. Additionally, you can get insurance covered replacement parts for your nebulizer.

Working with an experienced durable medical equipment supplier like Aeroflow Healthcare can be a great benefit to preventing needing to troubleshoot nebulizers yourself. Our trained supply representatives will contact you at intervals when your insurance will cover new nebulizer supplies, helping you get the equipment you are entitled to.

Additionally, Aeroflow can also contact you when you are due for a new nebulizer compressor, ensuring that you or your child has the latest and most convenient equipment available.

Finally, if you are having a nebulizer troubleshooting issue that you cannot resolve yourself, our trained phone support staff can help you talk through issues, complete with manufacturer owner’s manuals, in order to get back to using your therapy as intended as quickly as possible.

Qualify through Insurance for Nebulizer

If you, your child, or someone you love is using a nebulizer for a chronic or acute health concern, ensure that they are maximizing the benefit of their insurance, as well as protected from any sudden nebulizer troubleshooting issues. Qualify now with Aeroflow. You might get a new compressor, mouthpiece, medicine cup, filters or mask!

Not only is November diabetes awareness month, but November 14th is World Diabetes Day! So it’s a great time to band together with people around the globe to spread awareness about both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This event is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in response to the rapid rise of diabetes around the world with the goal of raising awareness for the impact that diabetes can have on friends and family members as it’s the 7th leading cause of death.

More than 100 million Americans are struggling with diabetes and 1.5 million are diagnosed every year. By promoting diabetes management, care, and prevention to educate people about this disease, we can help them live a healthier and happier life.

Celebrate World Diabetes Day By Learning

“Diabetes Mellitus” is an umbrella term to refer to the diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar or glucose. Your body needs glucose because it’s a source of fuel and for the tissues that make up your muscles and tissues as well as your brain.

There Are 4 Types Of Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes – Also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin. People can be born with diabetes type 1 and it can develop in children and adults. There is no cure, just treatment that’s focused on managing blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, and insulin to prevent it from becoming worse.

Type 2 Diabetes – The most common type of diabetes that’s often referred to as noninsulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin or fails to produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. In the beginning, your pancreas creates extra insulin to make up for it, but over time, fails to keep up with the amount of insulin your body needs. Diabetes type 2 can occur in both children and adults as the result of genetics or obesity. There is no cure, but diet, exercise, diabetes medication, and insulin therapy can help prevent it from getting worse.

Gestational Diabetes – This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy and typically develops around the 24th and 28th week. It doesn’t mean you had diabetes before becoming pregnant but does increase your risk for developing type 2 afterward. The exact cause is unknown but pregnancy hormones such as human placental lactogen (hPL) may increase insulin resistance. If not properly managed, gestational diabetes could affect your health, the health of your baby, and impact its birth. Insulin, dieting, and exercise are used to manage this type of diabetes.

Prediabetes – This is actually the pre-diagnosis of diabetes, which serves as a pretty good warning sign to develop healthier habits before it leads to type 2 diabetes. It’s a condition where your blood sugar is abnormally high, but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes and is caused by being overweight with a sedentary lifestyle. Currently, about 84.1 million Americans have prediabetes and it’s managed with diet and exercise.

Diabetes Symptoms

With every type of diabetes your body either doesn’t make enough insulin, can’t use the insulin it produces or both, meaning your cells can’t absorb glucose and it builds up in your blood. High levels of glucose in your blood can damage the tiny blood vessels in your heart, eyes, kidneys, and nervous system/ That’s why diabetes should not be untreated or it could contribute to blindness, stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, and nerve damage in the feet.

A few symptoms that may indicate diabetes include:

Hunger
Fatigue
Frequent urination
Frequent thirst and dry mouth
Itchy, dry skin
Blurred vision
Nausea and/or vomiting
Pain and numbness in the feet or legs
Sweet breath that smells like nail polish remover
Slow healing cuts and sores
Unexplained weight loss (Type 1 Diabetes)

Testing Your Glucose Levels

Depending on the type of diabetes you have, along with dieting, exercising, the possible use of diabetes medication, and insulin injections for type 2 diabetes, you will need to check your blood sugar. You may need to check it before meals, between 4 to 10 times a day, after an insulin injection, or before bed, depending on your treatment plan.

You will use a glucose meter or glucometer to check your blood sugar level. It works by reading the sugar small amount of blood, usually from your finger, that’s placed on a disposable test strip and you’ll need to record the results. You’ll use a lancet or needle to prick your finger.

It’s easy to assume that getting older naturally involves a loss of independence. As you lose a certain degree of mobility, you also lose the ability to safely live on your own, right?

Not necessarily. Physical therapy can help seniors maintain their independence for much longer than you may expect. Although physical therapy is absolutely useful when recovering from an injury, it can also simply help slow the natural processes of aging. In the words of PT, DPT, OCS Marla Ranieri, “Physical therapy is a vital part of the medical team during the aging process.” The following physical therapy facts and information illustrate how.

Preventing Falls

Falls represent the leading cause of injury among seniors in the United States. As a person gets older, they may struggle to maintain their balance. “Exercises that strengthen lower extremity and challenge balance are important to incorporate to reduce risks of falls,” says Ranieri.

Physical therapy helps by safely simulating what an elderly person would experience if they began to lose their balance. This allows patients to develop ways to stay on their feet before a fall occurs.

Managing Pain

Seniors with chronic pain often need daily help from caregivers. However, physical therapy can be very effective at reducing chronic pain. It can even take the place of medication in some circumstances. Thus, working with a physical therapist may replace daily care and monitoring.

Improving Cognitive Abilities

Some degree of cognitive decline is natural as a person ages. That said, evidence indicates that staying physically active can help to slow the progress of cognitive decline.

This is very important for seniors to know. Physical therapists can help design fitness programs that are ideal for their needs and abilities, letting them remain active (and reap the cognitive rewards) for years.

Adjusting the Living Environment

Physical therapists are often particularly well-qualified to identify potential risk factors in a senior’s home. They can make adjustments to their living environment to reduce the risk of injury. If a senior’s mobility is declining, the physical therapist can also recommend changes that will make performing certain daily tasks much easier.

Boosting Recovery Speed

If a senior does experience an injury, they’ll likely need some degree of supervision during the recovery period. This naturally limits their independence. However, a physical therapist will help them recover more quickly than they otherwise might, allowing them to return to an independent lifestyle in a shorter period of time.

Promoting an Active Lifestyle

Studies indicate that maintaining an active social life is key to slowing the progression of cognitive decline in seniors. Physical therapy can help in this regard by allowing elderly people to stay fit enough to engage in social activities more confidently. As a result, they’ll be less likely to develop the cognitive issues that might otherwise prevent them from living independently.

Remember, you don’t need to be recovering from an injury to benefit from physical therapy. Contacting a physical therapist early allows a senior to adjust to the natural aging process before it has a negative impact on their independence. These examples illustrate just some of the ways taking this step helps.

Are you one of the many people that suffer from back pain? You may actually be suffering from sciatica. If you suffer from sciatica, then you need to talk to your doctor to see if a back brace is right for you! Aeroflow Healthcare can provide a back brace for sciatica and your health insurance may cover the cost!

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a term used to describe pain, weakness, numbness, tingling or other symptoms down the leg, following the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve of the leg formed by nerve roots from the low back converging at the buttock then splits into nerve branches past the knee.

Sciatica Symptoms

Sometimes Sciatica symptoms present as a straight line from the back all the way down to the toes, and other times it can skip spots where you may only feel it in the buttock, thigh, knee, calf, and/or foot and ankle. Sciatica can be constant or intermittent, meaning you can have the symptoms 100% of the time or 1-99% of the time. More common than not Sciatica symptoms will fluctuate depending on how you use your body – affected by various postures, movement, or positions.

Sciatic Nerve Pain

The problem with the term, “Sciatica” is it describes symptoms without identifying the cause. There are many causes of pain down the leg which can be misinterpreted or misdiagnosed as Sciatica. Most commonly, Sciatica is caused by irritated or “pinched” nerves exiting the spine. When irritated, low back nerves can radiate subtle-to-severe pain down the sciatic nerve and as far as into the toes.

Knowing this, it is especially important to pay attention to aches and pains in your back. However, you can have sciatic nerve pain caused by the lower back without ever having any lower back pain! The pain of sciatica is has a variety of causes including herniated discs, muscle strain, slippage of vertebrae so that it is out of line with the bone above or below it, or even spinal stenosis, a condition where the spinal canal narrows and adds pressure to the nerves that populate it.

Treating Sciatica

So what can be done? Several things, such as X-rays, MRI’s and CT scans, can be done to see exactly what the structures look like; however, be careful – imaging will show you everything going on inside, but doesn’t tell you what’s relevant! As we age, we get wrinkles and gray hair on the outside. The same thing happens on the inside but it’s called “arthritis” and “degeneration.” Further, you can have Sciatica symptoms as a 20-year-old without any signs of age changes on the inside!

A simple physical exam can be done where the doctor will have the patient lie on their back. The doctor will lift the patient’s legs, one at a time until the patient reports the pain. This test is very simple, but it can determine if the nerves are agitated and whether this pain is caused by an injured disc.

Why You Need a Back Brace instead of Opioids

You can test yourself by doing a simple “slump test.” Take a seat and start by kicking your unaffected leg forward with toes pulled toward your nose. Now, bring your chin to your chest and slouch forward. Next, take the same steps on with the affected leg. Caution – go slowly! Your symptoms may literally zap you down the leg. If so, the pain and tension you feel is likely due to agitated nerves from an injured disc.

Good news: injured discs can heal and nerves can relax! There are a variety of treatment options for sciatica, though the severity and cause are taken into account when treatments are offered.

So can a back brace help treat sciatica pain?

Yes. A back brace can provide enough compression and support to prevent further injury and encourage healing.

Pregnancy-Related Sciatica

Can a pregnancy band help with pregnancy-related sciatica?

A back brace can be essential for those suffering from Sciatica symptoms due to low back sensitivity. When your low back is sensitive previously normal movements can become much more tiresome and labored. A back brace works like a crutch to assist your core muscles to the absorb forces endured from activities of daily living, e.g., getting up/down, walking, bending, turning. Similar to how we shouldn’t rely on crutches for walking, a back brace shouldn’t be used as a long-term strategy pain management strategy.

However, back pain with associated pain medication (opioid) abuse is currently an overwhelming problem, so a back brace is a crucial device to have on hand, especially when you’ve had previous episodes of Sciatica. Yes, a back brace can help you avoid opioids! When used in conjunction with a rehabilitation exercise program, a back brace can help you recover faster from the source of your Sciatica symptoms.

Dr. RJ Burr, DC, Cert. MDT, CSC

Dr. Burr is a chiropractor in Plymouth, Michigan. He utilizes The McKenzie Method to help patients to pain-free living by providing strategies to empower them to take ownership of their recovery. He pursued his Doctor of Chiropractic from the National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) and earned certifications in Active Release Techniques, Titleist Performance Institue.

Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) also known as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) groups across the nation are doing their best to raise awareness and funds for further research. One topic that doesn’t seem to receive as much awareness as it should is the link between breast cancer and lymphedema.

Breast Cancer And Lymphedema

Lymphedema can occur as a result of breast cancer treatment, mainly after surgeries where the lymph nodes are damaged and removed. About 15 to 25 percent of breast cancer survivors develop this condition. Lymphedema can also occur as a result of radiation therapy to your armpit, infection after surgery, injury to the surgical area, tumor growth, or being overweight or gaining weight after treatment.

But What Is Lymphedema?

Your lymphatic system runs throughout your entire body, through a network of lymph nodes and vessels. It cycles lymph, a protein-rich fluid throughout your body to catch bacteria, viruses, wastes, and more and carries them to your lymph nodes to be filtered out.

If something happens to the lymph nodes or vessels, such as damaged caused by surgery, the lymph may become blocks. As a result, it could pull and collect, causing part of your body to swell. While swelling is most common in the legs and arms, it can occur anywhere in the body.

The type of lymphedema caused by damage to the lymph nodes is known as secondary lymphedema.

Primary lymphedema occurs much less often. It’s a genetic condition that occurs when your lymph nodes or vessels do not properly develop or are missing.

While lymphedema can develop quickly after cancer treatment, generally it slowly worsens over time. Sometimes symptoms appear 16 to 24 months after treatment, but lymphedema can occur after as much as five years later.

Lymphedema Symptoms

There are a few lymphedema symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored after breast cancer treatment. The most common one is swelling of the arm on the side where lymph nodes were removed or damaged. The amount of swelling from person to person varies from mild swelling that causes the arm to be slightly larger than normal to a disfiguring amount.

Other symptoms include:

Swelling in the hands or edema with tighter than normal jewelry
Aching pain in the arm
Thickening skin that may dimple when touched
Weakness in the arm or trouble bending your joints
Your clothes don’t fit as normal
Feeling full, heavy, or tight in the chest, armpit, or arm
If you notice any of these symptoms see your doctor right away to prevent the condition from getting any worse.

Lymphedema Prevention

While there is no way to tell who will develop lymphedema, there are a few ways to potentially lower your risk.

Adopt a healthier lifestyle by moderately exercising and incorporating a healthy diet to maintain your body weight or lose weight. Be sure to stretch daily.
If you get a scratch or burn on the affected area keep it clean with soap and water, then bandage it up.
Avoid having shots or blood drawn from your at-risk arm.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid tight-fitting jewelry.
Protect your arm from bug bites, stings, and cuts. Also, be very careful saving the armpit of the affected arm.
Prevent getting sunburned. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and frequently reapply it.

Lymphedema Treatment

Early stage lymphedema can be potentially reversed if your skin and tissues haven’t been permanently damaged yet. In some cases, lymphedema surgery is used to remove damage from the lymph nodes. However, generally lymphedema can’t be cured and treatment consists of managing the swelling and preventing it from becoming worse by:

Using a Lymphedema pump to move excess fluid from the affected limb back into the cardiovascular system is a very popular option as the pump can be used at home.
Some patients use compression stockings, bandages, and other compression garments to prevent fluid from collecting.
Exercise is an effective part of treatment as it helps stimulate your lymph vessels. Only begin exercising after you’re cleared to after surgery or treatment. Start off slowly and increase the amount you exercise over time as you get used to it.
Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle lymphedema massage to drain fluid. You can learn at home massage techniques or have them performed by a physician. Avoid vigorous massages because they can cause more fluid to collect.

Receive Your Lymphedema Pump Through Insurance

You may qualify to receive your lymphedema pump through insurance and best of all, the process is incredibly easy.

Fill out our quick qualification form.
Our representatives will contact you with your options.
We will submit all of the necessary paperwork to your insurance provider and doctor to make sure your lymphedema pump is shipped directly to your front door.

Medicare open enrollment 2019 is here! The annual Medicare enrollment period is October 15 – December 7 and includes Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D plans, and Medigap (Medicare Supplement).

Medicare Open Enrollment 2019

This is important because it allows people with Medicare coverage to make changes to their medical and prescription drug plans for 2019, which will go into effect on January 1, 2019.

This is your chance to make changes to your medical and prescription plans to improve coverage and save money. After December 7th you’ll have to wait until the following year to make changes.

You may want to make changes because Medicare health and prescription plans change on an annual basis. Coverage, costs, service areas, and which providers and pharmacies are in the network are subject to change.

These changes could cause healthcare costs to increase, but switching plans could get you the coverage you need without having your premium or out of pocket costs go up. Plus, a lower premium could provide what you need.

Look For Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)

Every year at the beginning of October you will receive some important Medicare documents to review, including the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). It will most likely be in the same packet as the Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for the upcoming benefit year. It will highlight all of the changes that have been made along with descriptions of all benefits (not only the ones that were changed).

This information may arrive in the mail on its own or with the Summary of Benefits, Low Income Subsidy (LIS) rider if you’re eligible, and provider and pharmacy directories.

What Should I Do With My ANOC?

Carefully review it and compare your plan to others. You want to compare 3 key areas:

Costs

Is your premium going up? Is a plan with a lower cost and similar coverage available?

Look at your current deductibles and copays. Are they increasing next year?

Prescription Drug Coverage

Medication is expensive, especially when it’s not covered. Checking drug tiers and premiums could save tons of money. Look up each of your prescription medicines to see if they’re covered and remember to see if your preferred pharmacy is in your network.

Care

With Medicare part C, Medicare, or Managed Care contact your current doctors, specialists, and any other providers are still in your network.

What Exactly Can I Change?

You can enroll in Medicare Advantage from Original Medicare and vice versa.
You can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
You can switch from one Medicare Part D plan (prescription drug) to another.
You can enroll in a Medicare Part D plan if you didn’t when you were first eligible.

If you don’t want to make any changes to your plan it will automatically renew as long as it’s still available. Receiving a nonrenewal notice in the mail means that your plan has been discontinued and you’ll need to choose a new one. If you don’t receive a nonrenewal notice, your plan has not be discontinued and you don’t have to make a change.

How Do I Enroll In Medicare?

The open enrollment period is only for people already enrolled in Medicare. If you are turning 65, open enrollment is not the time to apply for Medicare. Each enrollment period has certain rules that determine when coverage will begin, so it’s crucial to pay attention to the dates.

Your Initial Enrollment Period

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is when you can sign up for Medicare the first time. You can enroll in Medicare Plans A, B, C, and D during this period:

3 months before your 65th birthday
The month of your 65th birthday
3 months after your 65th birthday

Part B coverage begins based on your sign up date:

If you sign up during the 3 months before your birthday coverage begins on the first day of your birthday month.
When you sign up during your birthday month your coverage will begin the first day after your birthday month.
If you sign up the month after your birthday month coverage will begin 3 months after your birthday month.
Signing up the 2nd month after your birthday month results in coverage beginning 5 months after your birthday month.
Signing up the 3rd month after your birthday month results in coverage beginning 6 months after your birthday month.

Part D coverage also begins based on when you sign up during your IEP:

If you sign up during the 3 months before your birthday coverage will begin the 1st day of your birthday month.
Signing up during your birthday month results in coverage beginning the 1st day after your birthday month.
If you sign up during the 2nd or 3rd month after your birthday month coverage will begin the 1st day of the month following enrollment.

NOTE: If you miss your initial enrollment period, you will get another chance to apply, but you may face late penalties:

Special Enrollment Period (SEP) – Special enrollment periods that apply when you’re able to delay enrolling in plans A, B, C, and D due to special circumstances such as:

While you have coverage from an employer
The 8 months your coverage ends for parts A & B
The 63 days after your coverage ends for parts C & D

General Enrollment Period – This is your chance to enroll if you miss your initial enrollment period and special enrollment period. The general enrollment period is from January 1st until March 31st and if you enroll during this period coverage will begin July 1st.

Medigap Open Enrollment – During your 6 month Medigap enrollment period you can purchase any Medigap policy sold in your state. These are extra insurance policies to help cover costs not covered by original Medicare. You must meet specific medical underwriting requirements to be approved for a Medigap policy. There is no guarantee that you’ll be accepted. The Medigap open enrollment period is 6 months after your Part B becomes effective.

DME Supply Coverage And Possible Laspes

If you’re wondering if your Medicare coverage would cover supplies from your durable medical equipment (DME) supplier, Lindsay Engle, Medicare Specliast at Medicare FAQ, explained, “The only concern would be cost. Generally, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you pay your Medicare Part B deductible for the year, which is $183 as of 2018 but could change for 2019. Medicare pays the other 80%.

To get the remaining 20% and other out of pocket expenses covered, the beneficiary would need to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan. With that said, the amount you pay may vary because Medicare pays for different kinds of DME in different ways. So they might cover a steady supply of replacement stuff 100%, it just depends on the DME. Their best bet is to contact their Medicare agent or Medicare directly to make sure their supplies is coved by that DME supplier.”

Lindsey also covered reasons why you may experience a lapse in coverage, “That would depend on their current healthcare coverage. If they have coverage and are still paying their premiums, there shouldn’t be any lapse in coverage. They should be aware of the Part B late enrollment penalty when you don’t enroll as soon as your eligible at 65. There are Special Enrollment Periods for Part B too.

If their company offers COBRA, they will have 18-36 months to enroll without any lapse in coverage. If they’re on group health insurance through their employer and still working, they can have both insurances. One will be primary and one will be secondary, depending on the size of the company.”

When it comes to lapses in coverage, it depends on your individual policy and situation. However, an Aeroflow representative can help you qualify to receive medical equipment through insurance. Simply fill out our quick qualification form and we will contact you with your options. We will also take the hassle out of the process by contacting your doctor and Medicare for you to make sure your items are shipped directly to your home.

If You Need Assistance…

Medicare can be a little confusing to navigate, but you’re not on your own. Contact the Medicare office at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to ask questions. Contacting your local Agency on Aging may provide you with faster results. Also, you can view available plans here.

October National Cyber Security Alliance Month (NCSAM) in order to spread online safety awareness. We as a durable medical equipment provider want to help you and your parents stay safe online.

As healthcare evolves to have more of an online presence and you or your parents receive medical equipment such as incontinence supplies, CPAP machines, back braces, and more, it’s important that their information remains safe and secure. It’s crucial to choose a reputable supplier and avoid DME scams to prevent identity theft and fraudulent charges.

Choosing The Right DME

While it’s easy to just search for the equipment you need and pick an item on the list, be sure to research the company first. Refer to the online reviews to see if other customers had a good and honest experience. They will generally note how long it took for them to receive their items and it’s quality. Simply picking the lowest price, even if your medical equipment will be covered through insurance isn’t always the best option.

A quality medical supplier will also have an informative and helpful customer service team. Their goal will never be to sell a product and rush you off the phone. Instead, they will help you find the perfect item to suit your individual needs. They will also help you find properly fitting items and will help with troubleshooting.

A reliable durable medical equipment supplier will also navigate your insurance policy for you. Who has the time to call insurance companies to see if your item will be covered or not? And then on top of that, bill and be reimbursed for that item? A good DME does. Once they receive your information they will contact your doctor and insurance company for you.

Avoiding DME Scams

Part of internet safety involves protecting your personal information from hackers and scammers. Unfortunately, not all DME providers are legitimate. Some misuse beneficiary information to promote more sells. That’s why we have a few safety tips to prevent you and your elderly parents from being taken advantage of:

You will never be billed for medical equipment that your doctor did not prescribe for you. Your own doctor will let you know if you need something. Never use a doctor from the DME’s team, stick with your own.
If you are suddenly billed for an item that never came or an item that you can’t return it’s most likely a scam. Plus, legitimate DME providers will not bill people who have passed away.
DME providers also can’t cold call you or knock on your door to solicit sales. They can only contact you after you’ve given them permission to call you, which can be written or provided online. DMEs can also contact you to discuss equipment that has been delivered to you during the past 15 months or for a new item if you’re aware that your doctor is contacting the supplier for you.
Never give out your Medicare number for a sales call, pitch, or exchange for money, gifts, and equipment you don’t need.
A legitimate supplier will never provide equipment and then bill Medicare for items that are more expensive. They also won’t provide you with used equipment and bill for brand new items.
Do not sign a blank form from your healthcare provider or equipment provider.

Report DME Fraud

If you receive an unsolicited knock on the door, phone call, or believe you are facing a DME scam for any other reason speak up. Report DME fraud at Medicare.gov or by calling 800-633-4227. You can also report fraud to your state insurance department.

Stay Safe Online

Along with protecting yourself from DME fraud, online safety involves protecting your personal and financial information on the web. Take a moment during NCSAM to learn how to protect yourself, family, and devices.

Stay safe online by protecting yourself and reporting theft, fraud, and cybercrime to create a safer, more trusted internet.

Attention, if you are enrolled in Medicare then you can expect a new Medicare card in the mail soon. In fact, over 60 million Medicare cards are being sent out as a result of the new Medicare number change.

UPDATE: All replacement cards have been shipped. If you need to replace a Medicare card, call 1-800-MEDICARE or online at My Social Security.

The new cards will be placed in the mail by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) beginning in April, but outreach for this campaign has already started to ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved. As a Medicare-dependent, you do not have to worry, about this change. Everything is being taken care of for you.

The Most Important New Medicare Card Information

Why is My Card Changing?

Your Medicare card number is changing as a result of Congressional legislation passed in 2015 requiring CMS to remove all participants’ Social Security Numbers (SSN). This is to help prevent Medicare fraud and financial identity theft by not making this information readily available on Medicare cards that could be lost or stolen.

Basically, your current SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) will be replaced by a new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). Your MBI will be used for Medicare transactions such as billing, eligibility status, and claim status.

What Will My MBI Look Like?

Your MBI will be a randomly generated 11 character alphanumeric number, meaning it will contain both letters and numbers. This is to make sure it’s completely different from your SNN. However, it will still fit in all HICN fields as both numbers are the same length.

The new Medicare card format is actually designed to cut down on confusion, which is why your MBI will not include the letters S, L, O, I, B, or Z, as they can easy to be confused with numbers 5, 1, 0, 1, 8, and 2.

What NOT to Do

Do not give out any of your Medicare insurance information out over the phone, via text, or email. Your new card is being sent to you. If anyone contacts you for your information then it is a scam. No one from Medicare will ask an older adult to give personal or private information to get their Medicare number and card.

You can quickly and easily report a suspected Medicare fraud case here.

What to Do

You do not have to do anything for your new Medicare card. Simply wait for your card to arrive in the mail. Be sure to begin carrying it with you as soon as it arrives so your doctor and other health care providers can begin using it. If you need to make a change (like updating your address), contact Medicare at https://www.mymedicare.gov/ or by calling 800-633-4227.

Once you get your card, guard your card. Treat your new Medicare card like a credit card. Only share your Medicare number and card with people that you trust and should have it.

When Will You Get Your New Medicare Card?

New Medicare cards 2018 will be mailed out on a staggered scheduled in seven waves based on geographical regions. The first mailing group for April and June includes Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

The second wave includes the Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and U.S. territories. The other five groups will be mailed out in June. If you do not have your new card, don’t worry. The transition period lasts from April 2018 until December 2019, so you don’t need your MIB until then.

You can use your old card until then but should start using your new one as soon as you receive it, as businesses are required to accept your new Medicare number on April 1, 2018.

New Medicare Card Mailing Schedule

Wave	States	Cards Mailing
Newly Eligible	Nationwide	Ongoing
1	Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia	Beginning May 2018 \| Finished
2	Alaska, American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon	Beginning May 2018 \| Finished
3	Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin	Beginning June 2018 \| Finished
4	Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont	Beginning July 2018 \| Finished
5	Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina	Beginning August 2018 \| Finished
6	Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming	Beginning September 2018 \| Finished
7	Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, the Virgin Islands	Beginning October 2018 \| Finished

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COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can be a tough diagnosis to swallow. From remembering the acronym to simply trying to catch your breath, it can be overwhelming at first. What started as a simple cough now makes it difficult to breathe. Many questions will arise, such as what exactly does having this disease mean for your health?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The COPD definition states that it’s a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. COPD is actually more of an encompassing term for a number of progressive diseases relating to the lungs, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, non-reversible asthma, and certain types of bronchiectasis.

In addition, all sufferers experience some type of blockages in their lungs, making it more difficult to breathe. The cause of the blockage may vary depending on which type of COPD you have (e.g., emphysema or bronchitis). However, with proper understanding and management, all you’ll need is a bit more attention and preparation to maintain your quality of life and breathe easier when it comes to daily tasks.

What Are COPD Causes?

The truth is that most sufferers who have the disease were smokers. While not everyone who smokes develops COPD about 90% of sufferers were smokers or are still smoking. People with asthma who smoke increases the risk even more (Trying to quit? Get help).

Other causes include exposure to fumes, dust, chemicals, and other irritants that can be found in certain work environments (e.g., being a firefighter). Genetics also play a role in some cases of COPD, especially when combined with other factors such as smoking.

What Are COPD Symptoms?

Difficulty breathing is the most common symptom, however, there are some other symptoms that develop over time that can be early warning signs. If you experience any of the following COPD symptoms book an appointment with your doctor to rule out this disease and to get on track to finding treatment:

Frequent Coughing
Wheezing
Chest Tightness
Feeling Breathless
Blueness in Lips (Cyanosis)
Frequent Respiratory Infections
Swelling in Ankles, Feet, or Legs
Lack of Energy
Unintentional Weight Loss (In later stages)

If you don’t have COPD but wonder what living with the disease feels likes, try the following exercise. Take a deep breath, then only exhale halfway. Then take another full breath but only exhale halfway again. Continue repeating this pattern and soon you’ll feel breathless as breathing becomes extremely comfortable. Unfortunately, this is what sufferers deal with.

COPD Stages

COPD is a progressive condition that worsens with age over time. In general, there are four stages running from mild to very severe. It may begin with mild breathing discomfort and a chronic cough with phlegm in the beginning, it will become more difficult to breathe as the condition progresses.

Stage 1 COPD: Mild stage COPD can be difficult to notice. People may be unaware that they have any issues and continue their daily activities with slight breathing limitations. It’s common to experience a cough with phlegm.

Stage 2 COPD: Moderate stage COPD is when people notice more coughing and more mucus production. This is when people generally seek medical attention for breathing limitations.

Stage 3 COPD: The severe stage COPD when lung function continues to decline and breathing becomes increasingly difficult. By this point, COPD symptoms typically interfere with favorite activities and daily tasks. During this stage, people experience more fatigue and difficulty exercising.

Stage 4 COPD: End-stage COPD is very severe and heavily impacts people’s quality of life. Breathing issues may become life-threatening as sufferers have trouble receiving enough oxygen. This can lead to serious health conditions including hypoxia, cyanosis, and more. Oxygen therapy may be prescribed to help you receive the oxygen your body needs.

Some patients may need additional oxygen all the time, and others may only need it during certain times, like when performing more strenuous activities. Using an oxygen concentrator or portable oxygen concentrator can be essential for treatment and may even help you get your quality of life back. You might actually get back to doing the things you love instead of having to miss out.

COPD Treatment

By properly treating COPD or progressive lung conditions that result in difficulty breathing you can live a full, active life. There are various treatment options depending on which stage you’re diagnosed with. The first step involves quitting smoking as it can cause COPD to get much worse.

You may be prescribed medication to take on a regular basis or as needed. These medications or bronchodilators often come with an inhaler or nebulizer and work by relaxing the tissues around your airways to make breathing easier. While inhalers are generally preferred, home nebulizers can be the most effective way to treat flare-ups. However, both options provide patients with rapid relief from dramatic COPD symptom on sets.

Also, you may be prescribed inhalable or oral steroid medications to reduce inflammation.

A high-frequency chest wall oscillation vest will help ease your body’s task of discharging harmful excess secretions from the lungs. The Afflovest is a lightweight, portable option that mimics natural chest physiotherapy and doesn’t require a caregiver or respiratory therapist.

If there isn’t enough oxygen in your blood then you may need supplemental oxygen. There are various oxygen options from home oxygen concentrators, portable concentrators, and various sizes and levels of portability of oxygen cylinders.

Deep Breathing

Another helpful exercise for those living with COPD is to practice deep breathing. A respiratory therapist, Mardi Hayden, recommends finding one of these deep breathing exercises that you really like and practice it daily at the same times each day. As your exercises progress, you can gradually lengthen the amount of time that you do the exercise. Hayden recommends this deep breathing technique for those new to breathing exercises:

Pull your elbows back firmly while standing or sitting
Take a deep breath
Hold the breath for the count of five
Exhale slowly and completely
Repeat as needed

As with any exercise regimen, it is recommended that you speak with your respiratory therapist or physician before beginning.

COPD Management

COPD is unquestionably a difficult, and life-changing condition, but with proper management and proactive measures, it doesn’t have to rob you or someone you love their life. If someone you know is suffering from COPD, or if you believe you’re at risk, contact your doctor today. You may qualify for your nebulizer at little to no cost to you through insurance.

To find out if you qualify for your equipment through insurance, simply complete Aeroflow Healthcare’s Qualify Through Insurance form. Once submitted, our Patient Care Representative will work closely with your healthcare provider and insurance company to have your treatment options delivered to your home.

By partnering with an experienced provider like Aeroflow Healthcare, you can be fully assured of access to all of the latest COPD treatment options, as well as easy delivery, exceptional service, and 24-hour support.

It’s important that as a nebulizer owner and user you perform some basic maintenance and cleaning to keep the medical device in working order. But often times the replacement of nebulizer parts is needed to provide optimum functionality, and therefore the best possible treatment.

Here are a few tips for best equipment upkeep and sanitation, and information on how often to replace nebulizer parts.

Insurance Covered Nebulizer Replacement and Resupply

For insured patients with durable medical equipment (DME) benefits, most plans consider the replacement of nebulizers medically necessary on an individual basis if both of the following criteria are met:

The primary care physician and/or specialist confirm that the member has been compliant with the nebulizer and anticipate the need for continued use to prevent a hospital admission or emergency room visits; AND
The warranty has expired.

Generally, if it has been five years and you still need a nebulizer, your insurance will cover it. Contact us and we’ll help make sense of your insurance benefits.

Nebulizer Mask Replacement

Disposable masks are meant to be thrown away after 5 to 7 uses, while regular child and adult nebulizer masks are meant to be used for up to 6 months. You can confirm your replacement schedule with your insurance plan, or call Aeroflow Healthcare at 888-345-1780 and we’ll verify your insurance benefits for you.

Nebulizer Parts to Replace Every Month
Disposable filters in aerosol compressor
Small volume non-filtered pneumatic nebulizer
Water collection device in large volume nebulizer
Tracheostomy mask or collar
Face tent
Aerosol mask
Administration set, small volume both filtered and non-filtered

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Parts to Replace Less Often

Nebulizer Replacement	Replacement Schedule
Disposable Nebulizer Tubing	Bimonthly
Non-Disposable Nebulizer Filter	Once a Quarter
Non-Disposable Administration Kit	Twice a Year
Non-Disposable Corrugated Tubing	Once a Year
Ultrasonic Nebulizer Mouthpiece & Dome	Once a Year
Nebulizer	Every Three Years

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Maintaining Your Nebulizer Parts and Accessories

Compressor filters eventually become dirty and channels get clogged. Also, the tubing, masks, and mouthpieces will degrade over time. Never use nebulizer equipment longer than recommended, even if they seem fine. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining your nebulizer, parts, and accessories.

Failure to change parts will make your compressor unit work harder than it should and will eventually cause the unit to fail. Be sure to keep extra tubing, mouthpieces, and masks on-hand in case they become damaged or worn in between replacement cycles.

Sterilizing Your Nebulizer Parts and Equipment

After each treatment:

Wash your hands thoroughly.
Disassemble the nebulizer.
Rinse the mask or mouthpiece with warm water for at least half a minute.
Do not wash nebulizer tubing or compressor.
Shake off excess water and place parts on a clean towel for air-drying.
Reassemble the system and turn on the compressor for a few seconds for drying.

Once a week:

Consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
You may be instructed to soak all nebulizer parts (except mask, tubing, and compressor) in one part distilled white vinegar/three parts hot water for one hour (do not reuse cleaning solution).
Rinse, shake off excess water, and allow to air-dry on a clean towel.
Reassemble the pieces and tubing and turn on the compressor briefly for drying.

Some nebulizer parts may be top-rack dishwasher safe; however, a nebulizer mask should never go through the dishwasher. Always refer to the manufacturer’s notes when cleaning your equipment. And when you’re finished performing daily or weekly maintenance on your nebulizer system, cover it and store it in a clean, safe place.

As your baby grows you will notice your tummy not only expanding but getting heavier too. You might feel a twinge of discomfort as your little bundle of joy causes your belly to swell, but you don’t have to wait until their due date for relief. You can get the extra support you need with the help of a belly band.

What’s A Belly Band?

A belly band or maternity support brace is a circular piece of fabric that wraps under the pregnant belly and connects with velcro. They are made out of soft, stretchable fabrics like cotton and spandex to have the ability to stretch and grow with your belly. Most belly bands are adjustable to fit your individual shape and size as an expecting mother.

Some options such as belly wraps are more like tube tops. They’re circular strips of fabrics that are knitted and seamless.

Belly Band Benefits

1. Pregnancy Pain Relief

Maternity support bands are generally recommended to help support the weight growing babies in the womb and to relieve pain due to having a heavier uterus.

This is because during the second trimester your round ligament that connects the groin to the front of the uterus changes to support your growing embryo. As a result, it changes positions and gets placed under additional pressure and may cause dull achy pain in the hip, groin, or abdomen.

During the third trimester, you may have to waddle instead of walk to balance with your baby’s excess weight which puts pressure on your lower back, ligaments, joints, and muscles. In some cases, this pressure can be painful.

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is a pair of joints on the sides of your pelvic area responsible for stabilization during physical activities and for absorbing shock to the lower body. During the third trimester, certain pregnancy hormones loosen and stretch the joints to prepare your body for birth resulting in patient pain and possible instability.

2. Comfort During Physical Activities

You wouldn’t hit the gym without your trusty sports bra to keep your ladies in place, right? Well during pregnancy, those who are on their feet a lot can see their normal routine as an exercise. From walking back and forth all over the office to chase meetings to having a physically demanding position such as a cop or nurse, a belly belt or band can help.

By providing comfort with a little compression physical discomfort can be reduced from the uterus and the belly. This will help you get through your work out and help take your mind off discomfort to better concentrate at work.

3. Outfit Hacks

Being pregnant is full of adventures and surprises. For example, one day your favorite pair of comfy jeans fit and the next day they don’t. However, you don’t have to panic and throw them out. You can use your belly band to bridge the gap between your shirt and pants.

It will provide a fashionable layered look with the privacy of covering your stomach. Many women can comfortably cover their unbuttoned pants and relax instead of squeezing into them and dealing with the discomfort of button imprints.

4. Posture Enhancing

Your maternity belt will also help you maintain proper posture, especially during the third trimester when your lower back and spine fall under increased weight. As your core muscles that support the spine weaken you’ll be more prone to extending your lower back. This can occur during your normal daily routine with activities such as walking or even sitting. However, your pregnancy belly band will give you the necessary support to stabilize your lower back and torso.

5. Postpartum Healing

Don’t put your belly band away after giving birth. It can help with postpartum healing as your muscles and ligaments that stretch during birth need time to heal. Strains and weakness can make it difficult to care for your newborn. The support provided by your belly band can decrease comfort.

How To Use A Belly Band

First, check with your doctor to discuss using a belly band. They aren’t suited for women with hypertension or poor circulation.
Then choose the right size based on your pre-pregnancy size. Many brands have sizing charts that correlate with pant sizes to help you choose the properly fitting option.
If you have a tube belly band slide it over your head and position it over your stomach. Slide it down until it covers your pants line.
For belly bands that have velcro snaps, place the widest point under your stomach to support it and fasten the velcro straps behind your back. Some options attach in the front or on the sides, so refer to the instructions included with your band.
You want to feel gentle compression. If your belly band is too tight it can cause indigestion, heartburn, and impact your circulation and blood pressure.
Only wear your maternity support band for 2 to 3 hours at a time. Becoming over dependent on them can weaken your lower muscles due to too much stretching. Take a break and give your body time to strengthen and prepare for giving birth.
Belly bands should be paired with daily exercise to shed extra pounds and build up strength.
If your maternity support band doesn’t relieve pain or you find daily activities to be painful speak with your doctor to address any underlying conditions. You may be recommended to a physical therapist.

Our very own Michael Trufant, Aeroflow Sleep Therapy Manager, was honored to present at the VPPPA Safety+ National Symposium. He was invited to share his expertise on how fatigue is dangerous and most often caused by sleep apnea.

The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants Association (VPPPA) is comprised of dedicated health and safety professionals empowering occupational safety culture from over 50 different industries. They act as educational resources to strengthen safety culture and prevent workplace accidents, many of which are caused by fatigue.

Fatigue Is Dangerous
Many safety, health, and environmental leaders filled the auditorium to hear Michael speak on the importance of putting an end to workplace fatigue. As a result, they were able to take away information on how to make their industries around the world a safer place.

So, why exactly is fatigue dangerous?
An estimated 13% of all workplace injuries can be attributed to fatigue. The National Safety Council found in their Fatigue In The Workplace: Causes and Consequences of Employee Fatigue reported that 97% of workers have at least one fatigue risk factor, while 80% have more than one.

This is a serious issue as fatigue is detrimental to a person’s health and safety, both on and off the job as it causes the potential for injuries to increase.

Fatigue debilitates people, causing them to be irritable, have reduced energy, the inability to concentrate, lowered reaction times, and more. If someone is suffering from excessive fatigue they may not be able to adhere to standard safety protocols and their levels of productivity decrease.

On top of having long shifts, many people have long commutes to their jobs leading to increased traffic incidents because driving fatigued is the equivalent to driving drunk. Employees often report falling asleep at work and while driving.

Fatigue Is Caused By Sleep Apnea
The largest contributor to sleep deprivation is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which is caused when your airways become blocked during the night. The fatty tissues of your throat can collapse, cutting off your oxygen supply.

As a result, your body works to restore your breathing. Your chest may heave, your blood pressure may increase, and you might become incredibly restless, all of which is exhausting. This process prevents you from getting proper rest.

With over 20 million Americans currently suffering from sleep apnea, 90% remain undiagnosed. When left untreated OSA can contribute to other serious health issues including:

Obesity
Hypertension
Diabetes
Stroke
Depression
Increased traffic incidents
The prevalence of OSA is growing, especially in OTR truckers. The costs of vehicle motor accidents due to sleep apnea is $15.9 billion a year. The cost only goes up when you total in other workplace accidents caused by fatigue.

But Treating Sleep Apnea Is Easy
Treating sleep apnea saves lives and money. For every $1 spent on sleep apnea, $3.49 in collision claims is saved.

With a simple at-home sleep test your employees can test for sleep apnea from the comfort of their own beds. The test arrives in the mail, is used for one night, then returned to a qualified sleep physician.

If tested positive for sleep apnea, then you may qualify to receive a CPAP through insurance. CPAP machines are the most effective sleep apnea treatment method and along with saving lives, they help greatly improve quality of life.

To learn more about sleep apnea visit Aeroflow Healthcare and view Michael Trufant’s full presentation here.

You know you need a portable oxygen concentrator, but will Medicare cover it? Unfortunately, this is a complicated question to answer. Upon being diagnosed with needing this oxygen machine or other medical equipment, this probably isn’t the only question you have.

For example, will you receive your equipment at little to no cost? Should you consider purchasing a used portable oxygen concentrator? Who is the best person to contact about your coverage? It’s rare to receive direct answers to these queries, but we’re here to help guide you through coverage solutions.

Will Medicare Cover My Portable Oxygen Concentrator?
The answer to this question is sorta. Medicare has always paid a set amount towards medical oxygen equipment, however, in 2013 their reimbursement rate was reduced by 50%. Usually, durable medical equipment (DME) providers cover the cost of equipment up front and bill Medicare for it later, but this made it too expensive for most supplies to cover POCs.

Because it became increasingly difficult for respiratory suppliers to cover the expenses involved with providing portable oxygen concentrators to patients, many now opt to provider other, less expensive oxygen supplies instead. For example, an oxygen tank is way less costly than a POC. So, depending on your provider, you could have your POC fully or only partially covered.

If you own your own equipment, Medicare will help pay for oxygen contents and supplies for the delivery of oxygen upon meeting Medicare conditions including doctor recommendation, failing arterial blood gas level range and other alternative measures have failed. Medicare helps pay for systems for furnishing oxygen, containers that store oxygen, tubing and related supplies for the delivery of oxygen and oxygen contents, and in some cases Medicare may also pay for a humidifier.

How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Portable Oxygen Concentrator?
You can actually rent a portable oxygen concentrator instead of having it purchased through Medicare. A DME will rent oxygen supplies to you and then bill Medicare a monthly fee for reimbursement of the rental.

Prices vary based on equipment cost and monthly reimbursement rates. Some DMEs will finance the equipment to you with a low monthly cost. This involves you paying a fixed amount out of pocket based on the price of the portable oxygen concentrator you would like to rent and your Medicare reimbursement rate.

Medicare rules have made this process a little complicated. Oxygen supplies are limited to a 36 month (3 years) and according to Medicare guidelines, the equipment must be maintained for 5 years.

This can cause suppliers to be picky about the equipment they provide depending on how long you’ve been on oxygen therapy. Companies will usually only be willing to supply a small portable oxygen if you’re towards the beginning of your rental period so the monthly reimbursements from Medicare will cover their costs. This is still the case for some providers even if you’re willing to pay a monthly rental fee.

Also, if you rent go through with a rental option you will probably be sent a used portable oxygen concentrator with a shorter lifespan. Also, you won’t be building equity in your machine, because you won’t get to keep it. That’s why some DMEs will allow you to finance a brand new POC through them with monthly payments.

Aeroflow is proud to call Asheville home, and this summer we took steps to deepen our connection with our community by purchasing a new building, the Don Hite Fulfillment Center. The Center provides Aeroflow with a new 35,000 square feet of fulfillment muscle. We consolidated product inventories currently housed in two separate Asheville locations to a single centralized distribution center, allowing for increased efficiency and improved rates of delivery to Aeroflow customers.

It also gave us necessary room to grow! We have about 30 open positions that need to be filled by year end, and we were running out of space for people to work.

Without the help of some amazing local partners, we wouldn’t have been able to move in so quickly. The Don Hite Fulfillment center has some unique issues because it was built in 1978. Each one of these local businesses helped solve problems outside of the normal realm.

Asheville Partners

30-year-old HVAC System

There’s a reason Gentry Heating is the Mountain Xpress Best of WNC hall of fame (four years in a row #1). They are a family-owned heating and air conditioning company started in 1963. They had the experience and know how to ensure the HVAC systems were ready on time. There aren’t many people that have the know how to work on a 30-year-old air conditioning system!

Gentry Heating
68 Grove St #5
Asheville, NC 28801
828-581-4045

Custom Garage Doors

Carolina Mountain Door and Carl Lewis Builders made sure the garage doors were sturdy enough to take whatever is thrown at it and functional to make sure we can ship over 37,000 pieces a month!

Carolina Mountain Door
828-654-9085

Carl Lewis Builders
PO Box 1204 Fairview, NC
828-712-6348

Custom Commerical Repairs

Marco, the owner of Tellez Handyman, handled all the odds and ends the building needed. No job was too big or small. He specializes in all repair needs from the crawlspace to the roof

Tellez Handyman
32 P.E. Drive Building B
Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-337-9147

We were founded in 2001 as an oxygen supplier and since then as we have grown to supply a wide range of home medical equipment across the United States. Because of this growth, we’ve been honored to invest back into Western North Carolina either through job creation, community service, or real estate.

Jennifer Jordan, VP of Sales Operations at Aeroflow Healthcare discusses how many mothers feel like they are forced to choose between breastfeeding or employment and why we need to normalize breastfeeding, maternal health coverage, and give women time to adjust to motherhood.

Aeroflow Healthcare is the premier provider of medical supplies and medical equipment and is committed to improving each of our patient’s quality of life through compassion, excellent service, and exceptional products. We feel that it is our duty, responsibility, and privilege to help each patient regain their freedom and live a better life.

Join Aeroflow Healthcare’s Medical Supply Affiliate Program!

CheapCPAPSupplies was created out of necessity to help our customers save money on CPAP supplies if their insurance deductibles are too high, they don’t have insurance, or simply want to purchase CPAP equipment as they do everything else online. Learn more about the CPAP affiliate program.

8% commission on all sales
30 day referral period

When you join Aeroflow Healthcare’s affiliate program, you’re actually applying for three affiliates in one. The affiliate program is organized around specific medical supplies with its unique commission rates.

Supplied with a variety of banners and text links for your website. Place those on your site and when some of your website’s users click-through, they will be brought to our website to shop. Once a purchase is completed, you will be credited for that referral.

Aeroflow Healthcare has an industry high conversion rate of nearly 30% and is top 5% in earnings in all of CJ.

Breast Pump Affiliate Program

Aeroflow Breastpumps specializes in helping pregnant and nursing women qualify for their breast pump through their insurance and the Affordable Care Act.

Want to help your community of mamas get a breast pump through insurance? Learn more about the breast pump affiliate program.

10% Commission on purchases
$4 per valid lead submission
30 day referral period

CPAP Therapy Affiliate Program

8% commission on all sales
30 day referral period

If your baby is born with jaundice, you will quickly be introduced to the healing power of phototherapy through biliblanket use. Even though it’s incredibly common for babies to be born with jaundice, the experience can be a little nerve-racking for new parents.

However, the use of a biliblanket for jaundice when a newborn infant has elevated bilirubin levels is an easy, at home treatment. You can even hold, feed, and play with your child while using a bilirubin blanket.

Important Biliblanket Dos And Don’ts You Need To Follow

Dos:

Make sure that the light-source machine is on a flat hard surface such as a table, nightstand, or changing table. The baby’s crib or carpet is probably not a good place.
Try to keep as much as of your baby’s skin exposed to the light pad as possible.
Use a disposable light pad cover.
Turn your biliblanket device off and remove the light pad when bathing your child.
Change the cover if it becomes dirty or soiled by your baby.
Always turn the power knob on to the highest intensity.

Don’ts:

Never use the light pad without a cover.
Do not allow your baby to have direct exposure to the light pad.
Do not set anything on top of the lightbox, or on the connecting power chord. This is to ensure proper function.
Never place the pad on your baby’s head. It should only be placed on the back.
Don’t worry about sunlight. Your child doesn’t need to be placed outside.

Biliblankets for High Bilirubin

In all cases, the quick and effective use of a biliblanket can help a baby have a swift recovery. If you’re concerned about jaundice, call the pediatrician immediately. If your baby needs phototherapy, most pediatricians’ offices have biliblankets on consignment. You’ll go home with one so you can start treatment as soon as possible.