What Pro2 is Up2

Portable Oxygen Concentrators are everywhere lately- in TV commercials, magazine ads, even the news. We receive many phone calls from patients interested in these devices. Let's take a few minutes to talk about the who, what, and where of it all.

Portable Oxygen Concentrators are state-of-the-art pieces of equipment designed for patients that require oxygen so they can be mobile outside of the home.

Each patient has different needs at different points in his or her life. Please keep in mind that when you call a manufacturer to inquire about purchasing one of these devices, you're speaking with a customer service representative or sales person- not a clinician.

At Pro2, our Respiratory Therapists will assess your needs to make sure that the appropriate equipment is used at all times. If you or your loved one is able to use a Portable Oxygen Concentrator, our Therapist will advise you of this. Many patients do not maintain good oxygen levels on these portable devices, which means that Portable Oxygen Concentrators aren't for everyone.

There are drawbacks to the technology, such as limited battery life, the need to recharge batteries, and added noise. In many instances, portable oxygen cylinders may be the best answer for patients wishing to be mobile while on oxygen.

Please call us if you have questions and let us help you while you gather information at 716-667-9600.

Beneficiaries, caregivers, and health care professionals from around the country have been calling People for Quality Care's Complaint Hotline to discuss the issues they're experiencing as a result of the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program.

So far, they've fielded more than 900 calls which has resulted in over 400 complaints being categorized and sent to Congress and Medicare Ombudsmen!

The most frequent complaint heard so far is general disgust over the need to change providers. See the table below for a full breakdown of the complaints received to date.



The most powerful weapon in the fight against the recent changes to home medical equipment policies for Medicare beneficiaries is you.

Are you a Medicare beneficiary or caregiver? Do you have a Medicare complaint that needs to be heard?



The Medicare Complaint Hotline was created so you can share your concerns and complaints with Congress and important Medicare officials. People for Quality Care's Medicare complaint reports will be sent biweekly to those officials who have the power to amend the program and return choice and access to better equipment and service to those who need it most.

If you have a Medicare complaint, please call the Medicare Complaint Hotline at 800-404-8702 today and make your voice heard.

COPD has traditionally been thought of as a "man's disease". But since 2000, the number of women suffering from it has risen. Now it stands as the third leading cause of death in the United States, and more women are losing their lives to the disease than ever before.

New data shows over half of women with COPD in the United States aren't even aware that they have it. It's important that, if you suspect a problem, you speak to your physician immediately.

If you have been diagnosed, summer weather can be a difficult time to manage your symptoms. Here are a several tips to help you do just that.

- Drink plenty of fluids, especially during hot weather.
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that is light in color and sunscreen.
- Plan your activities around peak sun times. Early morning or late in the evening are the best times to be outside as it is usually not as hot. Pay attention to weather reports.
- Keep cool in an air conditioned building. If you don't have air conditioning, spend time at places that do like the library, mall, or a friend's home.
- Avoid strenuous exercise on hot, humid days. If you want or need to exercise, make sure to do it in an air conditioned facility.
- Take all medications as prescribed by your physician.
- Have friends or family members call twice a day during the hot summer months to make sure you're ok.

Source: COPD: The Heat is On. About.com COPD. Retrieved July 8, 2013 from http://copd.about.com/od/complicationsofcopd/a/copdandsummer.htm.

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.