What Pro2 is Up2

Pro2 LLC is pleased to announce that we are now a participating provider with the following insurance plans:

United Healthcare Empire Plan
The Empire Plan is a unique health insurance program developed by New York State and its employee unions for employees of New York State and their families. It is the most selected group health insurance option under the NYS Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), covering over 1 million employees, retirees, and dependents.

United Healthcare administers the Empire Plan's medical/surgical portion, which includes the home health care/DME benefit.

Wellcare
The largest Medicaid and Medicare-only contractor in the nation, they offer affordable health care plans to individuals eligible for government-sponsored programs.

Fidelis
Fidelis Care is the New York State Catholic Health Plan, providing quality, affordable health coverage to children and adults in 59 counties statewide. Fidelis Care offers free or low-cost comprehensive health insurance through the Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus, and Medicaid Managed Care programs.

Click here to see a list of all the plans that Pro2 LLC participates in.

We've worked long and hard behind the scenes on something that we're proud to finally reveal... introducing Snooze News!

Snooze News is our very own e-newsletter for our patients receiving CPAP, BiPAP, and AutoPAP therapies. It's emailed to patients about once every month- the inaugural newsletter having just gone out last week.

We're filling it with educational articles and tidbits to help make using PAP therapy easier for you. Plus we're adding information on the latest advancements in the field including product advancements, and you'll even find coupons and discounts, too!

To sign up to receive Snooze News, click this link and fill out the form. We'll add your name to our mailing list. [Keep in mind that since our e-newsletter is sent out monthly, it may be a few weeks before you receive one.]

According to a new study, people with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to comply with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment if they go to bed at a regular time each night.

The study, conducted by the Penn State University School of Nursing, found an association between increased regularity in bedtime and greater compliance with using CPAP. The results indicate that regularity of bedtime before and during CPAP use may be a new opportunity for health care providers to address the problem of non-adherence to CPAP.

For more information related to this study, please click here.

The results of the Round 2 competitive bidding program are raising red flags when it comes to patient care. This program will go into effect on July 1, 2013, so the time to speak out is now.

People for Quality Care analyzed 17 Competitive Bidding Areas (CBAs) throughout the country and found that on average, bid-winning medical equipment providers were located more than 500 miles from the center of that geographic area. Senior citizens and people with disabilities throughout the CBA will be required to get their medical equipment from far away.

This leads to many concerns by beneficiaries and People for Quality Care that medical equipment will be delivered to beneficiaries without assistance from a professionally trained provider. Interviews of beneficiaries from Round 1 already show that, in some areas of the country, providers are spending less time inside the homes of beneficiaries. That time, used to instruct the patient how to use and maintain the equipment, is no longer available because of an influx of Medicare patients assigned to providers in larger delivery areas. Here are some of their other concerns:

• Delays in receiving equipment will disrupt the health and lives of beneficiaries and caregivers.
• Delays in receiving equipment will cause increased visits to the ER or hospitalization.
• The trusting, personal relationship formed between beneficiary and provider will be gone.

The graphs below summarize their analysis, which includes the following bidding areas:

Wichita, KS, Colorado Springs, CO, Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO, Salt Lake City, UT, Milwaukee- Waukesha - West Allis, WI, Minneapolis - St. Paul - Bloomington, MN-WI, Omaha, Council Bluffs, NE-IA, Detroit-Warren-Liyonia, MI, Flint, MI, Grand Rapids - Wyoming, MI, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA, Augusta - Richmond County, GA-SC, Chattanooga, TN-GA, Central - Chicago Metro CBA, Northern - Chicago Metro CBA, Southwest - Chicago Metro CBA, St. Louis, MO

It's not too late to voice your opinion about this issue. After the graphs is a link for you to contact your Congress person in support of H.R. 1717.





Take Action!

H.R. 1717, the Market Pricing Program Act of 2013, was introduced by Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) and Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), and it needs support. The bill will repeal the current competitive bidding program that is causing a variety of problems for Medicare beneficiaries and replace it with the Market Pricing Program (MPP). The MPP will create better access to medical equipment and service. Read more about the Market Pricing Program.

Please take a moment to email your representative now and ask them to sign the bill. It's as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Click on this link.
2. Review the letter and add your own opinions if you like.
3. Add your personal information and send.

Reprinted with permission from People for Quality Care.

There has been some exciting news for patients suffering from pulmonary problems such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A study released last year by The Saban Research Institute has isolated an enzyme critical to lung function.

This enzyme, which they have named Eya1, is a protein phosphatase and has been identified as being integral in regulating lung epithelial. This enzyme also helps regulate other molecules and proteins which are critical to optimal lung function.

Future testing and studies will need to be done, but right now it is thought that manipulating the enzyme's activity may aid in lung tissue regeneration which may improve the condition of patients suffering from asthma or COPD.

The study was published here in the Journal of Cell Science.

Also in the news recently, a protein linked to COPD exacerbation, a compound found in blue-green algae, and the PKC enzyme, which could all help with COPD treatment.