SpendMend Team Members Attend Van Andel Institute Lunch and Learn

Hannah Geelhoed

SpendMend Team Members Attend Van Andel Institute Lunch and Learn

Written by: Hannah Geelhoed, Web/Graphic Developer and HR Assistant

In April, I had the opportunity to attend a Lunch and Learn at the Van Andel Institute (VAI) with another member of the SpendMend team, Colleen Kretowitcz. During this event, we got to hear Dr. Carrie Graveel, Senior Breast Cancer Research scientist, and Dr. Matt Steensma, Associate Professor at VAI, Section Chief of Orthopedic Oncology Spectrum Health, speak about the research projects currently happening in their lab and how they are using the funds that are raised from the Bee Brave 5k. We also got to meet researchers and students, tour the labs, and learn about the individual projects each of the researchers and students is tasked with.

(Image shows Hannah with one of the scientists holding a rat’s breast cancer filled mammary gland)

The VAI labs are so beautifully designed, laid out, and stocked with all the greatest technology to help aid in the incredible research going on in the labs. One of the highlights of the tour was getting to see the cell counter and microscope that were purchased using the funds from the Bee Brave 5k. (see below)

 

Over the past 5+ years, SpendMend has been participating in the VAI’s Annual Bee Brave 5K by sponsoring, donating, and walking/running in the event and raising a total of over $35K! This year we got to join the Bee Brave leaders, other team captains, and survivors in presenting last year’s event check to the VAI. It was a special moment to hand the “big check” to the VAI with a bunch of the people that work so hard to make it all happen.

If you would like to join us in this year’s fundraising efforts or would like to learn more about the VAI, please visit: https://purplecommunity.vai.org/bee-brave/

Read about our past Bee Brave Experience here: https://www.spendmend.com/spendmend-dedicates-bee-brave-5k-fundraiser-to-team-member/

The “What, What, What” of Medical Device Explants

SpendMend Team

By Joe Heminger, Business Development Representative

The OIG listed on the 2022 workplan that they will be auditing the hospital’s explanted medical device credit process and approved $50 million in funding for these audits.

To give you a quick breakdown, we have listed what you need to know.

The What

Explanted medical devices sometimes fail and must be replaced. Hospitals owe Medicare warranty monies for explanted items even if they do not send the explant in for review or if they do not recover the funds.

The So What

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is currently auditing hospitals across the United States. Medical Device Explant credits are a huge focus for them. The new fine and penalty structure for non-compliance can result in a huge financial burden when hospitals are already suffering due to COVID-19.

The Price of Non-Compliance

Penalty = 3x the credit + additional fines

Designated as an Excluded Provider

The Now What

SpendMend can perform a low-cost OIG Mock Audit of the last 4 years of this high-risk low-frequency occurrence. Let us determine if your program is compliant or at risk!

For any questions about how a SpendMend Medical Device Explant Warranty Credit Review can impact your bottom line and improve your process, please do not hesitate to contact me at jheminger@spendmend.com.

SpendMend Dedicates Bee Brave 5k Fundraiser to Team Member

SpendMend Team

Written by: Hannah Geelhoed, Community Involvement Coordinator

When I first joined the SpendMend team just over 5 years ago I was given the directive from the executive board to “get SpendMend more involved in the community”. This seemed like a broad venture to take on and I had no clue where to start, so I asked members of my team, “What charities or causes mean the most to you and why?” I gathered their responses and signed us up for Blood Drives, raised money for Kid’s Food Basket, and Toys 4 Tots, but I wanted the team to have one big event each year to go all out for. I searched and searched for a charity where we would be able to see the impact of our efforts and found Bee Brave, a volunteer-run group that is dedicated to finding a cure for Breast Cancer – and better yet, is based in Grand Rapids, MI, headquarters of SpendMend.

Since our first appearance in 2017, SpendMend has been able to fundraise over $35,000 for Breast Cancer Research in Grand Rapids, MI for the Van Andel Institute (VAI). One of the reasons we choose to participate partner with Bee Brave is because 100% of the proceeds go directly to the VAI. Members of our team have been lucky enough to take tours of the VAI labs, see the equipment, and meet the scientists that our donations have been able to fund. This year alone the team raised over $13,000!

When I first chose to support Bee Brave, I was participating on behalf of a family member who battled breast cancer – like many other members of our team were. This year, we collectively dedicated our walk to one of our own, Colleen Kretowicz, an Audit Supervisor at SpendMend. She was brave and gracious enough to let us share her story here:

“I almost opted not to tell and have only a lumpectomy under the guise of a week-long vacation. It was a valid option with the type of cancer I have, but the bilateral mastectomy was the better and most reassuring treatment with only a 3% chance of recurrence!

I was afraid that I would have my clients reassigned or given to someone else to share with me or be moved to another position in the company. As a single woman living alone, loss of income is a very real fear. Its right up there with cancer scary.

My daughter finally convinced me that I needed to do what was best for me no matter what.

When I set up the call to discuss my diagnosis and treatment with [my managers] Travis, Josh and Rob, I was really scared of the outcome but resigned to accept it, whatever was decided and focus on what I had to deal with. They could not have been more supportive and reassuring. Knowing that my employer and my co-workers had my back brought that stress down and let me focus on healing; physically and mentally.

I’m in tears now remembering all the love and caring I felt from SpendMend. We put together a plan to take care of my clients while I was out and seriously – my team and management stepped up and jumped in to make things happen and let me rest. Especially in such a male-dominated industry to have a company be so supportive both publicly and privately is amazing!! I will always be so grateful for that.”

We are so thankful for Colleen’s fighter mentality are proud to have her as a member of the SpendMend team.

While the 5K event happened last weekend, all of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the donation page is still active throughout the month and accepting donations. If you are interested, please use this link: https://runsignup.com/spendmend. Any contribution you or your friend group can make will help in significant ways.

SpendMend thanks everyone who donated and participated in our fundraising efforts. Our team’s donations are creating innovative and life-changing discoveries in the field of Breast Cancer Research.

Employee Spotlight Series: Jim Moye

SpendMend Team

Hello and happy Friday! We are starting October off strong with another edition of the Employee Spotlight Series! This week we are featuring Jim Moye. Jim is a 340B Auditor and joined the SpendMend team just over a year ago. He describes SpendMend in three words as, “Engagement, Culture, and Leader.” His dedication to serving the healthcare market is shown through initiative and perseverance. His favorite part of the job is knowing that helping his clients ultimately impacts the lives of their patients. We thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Jim, and his life outside of work! Jim lives in Orlando, Florida and he is well-versed in the local theme parks. He can’t even count the number of times he’s visited them! From Disney World to The Fun Spot, he has great memories. Jim loves spending time at the parks walking around, and enjoying the park food and drinks! If only we could all live so close to the most magical place in the world! A fun fact about Jim is that he dabbles in cooking. He tries to make dishes that are not common in restaurants. Recently, he has learned to make Tamagoyaki – a Japanese rolled omelet! His family is lucky to taste test, and his most requested dish is a copy of P.F. Chang’s Dan Dan Noodles from his son! We are ready for a taste test in Grand Rapids! Another fun fact is that Jim has completed 7 marathons. His most favorite marathon he completed was the DC’s Marine Corps Marathon. He quotes, “What better way to enjoy DC than on foot during a race!” Make sure to read the full interview below to learn more about Jim’s marathon journey!

Jim does a wonderful job as a 340B Auditor! He inspires his co-workers and is a valued member of our team.  Nate Raney, 340B Auditor, said, “Jim is a favorite of every covered entity that he works with. He is genuine and always finds the bright side of any sticky situation. His knowledge base of both small hospitals, large hospitals, and federally qualified health centers allows him to find a solution for any compliance concern he identifies. All of these things make him not only a great auditor, but a friendly colleague, and a one-of-a-kind friend.” It was great getting to know a little more about Jim and we are so grateful for all the hard work he does! Thank you, Jim!

Interview with Jim:

What is your role at SpendMend?

340B Auditor

How long have you been with SpendMend?

Just over a year

How did you first learn about SpendMend?

Through the merger with Turnkey Pharmacy Solutions

What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?

Engagement, Culture, and Leader

Why do you look forward to coming to work?

Whether remote or on-site, I enjoy helping our customers navigate the complexities of the 340B Program. They are able to use savings to reach more patients and provide more comprehensive services. Ensuring our clients keep in compliance is top priority.

Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

I worked as a cook and waiter long ago. It was truly a humbling experience.

What is one fun fact about you?

I have completed 7 marathons (26.2 miles of running). Though I have no plans to complete another one, runners tend to have short-term memories when a race signup opens.

What inspired you to start training and participating in marathons? What locations have you run a marathon in?

I started with small races around town, mainly a 5K distance. This escalated to other longer distances until deciding to take a plunge into the deep end and sign-up for Dopey at Disney. For those who have no clue what I am talking about, it is a series of races at Walt Disney World over their Marathon Weekend each January. This consists of a 5K on Thursday, 10K on Friday, 1/2 marathon on Saturday, and a full marathon on Sunday. I did this 5 years in a row and also ran the Marine Corps Marathon in DC within 2 of those 5 years.

Which marathon was your hardest to complete?

For sure the hardest marathon was my last marathon I completed due to a lack of training and preparation. It is only because I had friends running with me the entire time that I was even able to finish.

What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?

There is no way I am able to listen to a podcast and focus on work at the same time. Those who can are seriously impressive! I will listen to music from time to time. My taste in music is very eclectic. I invite anyone to ask what I am listening to next time we talk.

What type of music is on your current playlist?

There is no playlist I have, but rather it is a smattering of many different playlists. Depending on my mood it may be classical, punk, pop, techno, rock, indie, sea shanties, metal, hip hop, and all sorts of different sub-genres.

What is your favorite artist/band? Any song recommendations?

I am not usually one for recommending songs to people unless it is a conversation about music. However, I will give you some insight! I am listening to Alvvways – Ones Who Love You right now as I type this. There was a Beach Bunny concert I had tickets to go to before the pandemic reared its ugly head. We also lost so many great artists over the past 15 months but I am most sad about MF DOOM passing.

Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?

Living in Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, there is always something to do or somewhere to eat. I will dabble in anything sports-related if I have the time. Video games and golf are a fond pastime I still have a chance to do every once and a while. Most of my focus now is family time and enjoying the moment.

How many times have you been to Disney World, Universal Studios, or any other theme park?

I have visited the local theme parks so many times I could not even begin to imagine a number.

Which theme park is your favorite in Orlando? Any fun stories/memories in the theme parks? Favorite ride/activity?

There are places like Fun Spot, which are just cheap good fun. I am fortunate to remember a time before Universal was around. Disney was not as busy as it is now and I have very fond memories of being there in the afternoon during a weekday! There were not too many people and one could ride anything with minimal wait compared to today. It has become incredibly expensive, greatly outpacing inflation. But we are lucky to have had annual passes to some of the parks on and off! Today, I just enjoy leisurely walking around or even hotel hopping to grab food and drinks.

Do you interact with

Clients, Suppliers, and Potential Clients

Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?

All of my interactions with clients stand out. Because each 340B covered entity is just slightly different, it provides an environment to learn about them and give meaningful help.

What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?

I had a client email management that they loved working with me. Don’t sleep on giving someone a compliment, wherever you may be. Kindness is the way to ultimate success!

What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?

Knowing that helping our clients ultimately impacts the lives of their patients.

What is your favorite Recovery Room Activity?

Because I work remotely, I don’t get a chance to utilize the Recovery Room. However, I do have a chance to take a break from work and decompress in many other ways.

What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?

SpendMend supports a running event each year to raise money that goes directly to breast cancer research. Remote employees even have the opportunity to participate virtually.

What is your favorite in-house event? (specific potluck, chili cook-off, bring your kid to work day, etc.)

I do miss out on potlucks or chili cook-offs, which is a shame because I do make some delicious food. But I can still participate in bringing your kid to work day when working from home!

What kinds of delicious food do you like to make?

As far as making food, it is often randomly discovered or carved in which I will attempt (sometimes successfully) to make. A note to my fellow amateur chefs, making some food is just not worth it and just leave it to a dining experience. I will often grill, smoke, or take the easy way out and throw something decent together from commonly rotated recipes or whatever is available at home. Most recently I learned to make a Japanese rolled omelet called Tamagoyaki. I also have tried and failed to make Omurice, at least to the standards I would like. Usually I try to make unfamiliar foods I cannot get at restaurants. My son’s most requested recipe is a copy of P.F. Chang’s Dan Dan Noodles.

What is your favorite food to eat?

My favorite food is certainly pizza. I often joke that even bad pizza is good.

Do you want to shout out to a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?

Yes! Huge shout out to the people responsible for bringing me aboard. You know who you are and thank you!

What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?

Be true to yourself.

What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?

Helping clients successfully navigate HRSA audits has to be at the top of the list for any 340B Auditor.

What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?

Growing and learning from all of the other fantastic team members. For sure meeting people, sometimes for the first time, face-to-face. I am so grateful for technology allowing us to virtually connect but it is no replacement for seeing someone in person.

OIG Report Overview: Hospitals Did Not Comply with Medicare Requirements for Reporting Cardiac Device Credits

SpendMend Team

Why The OIG Did This Audit

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) OIG’s objective was to determine whether hospitals have complied with Medicare requirements for reporting manufacturer credits associated with recalled or prematurely failed cardiac devices.

Concerns stemmed from prior OIG audits with audit periods ranging from 2005 through 2016, which found that hospitals did not always comply with Medicare requirements for reporting credits received from manufacturers for medical devices that were replaced. Specifically, hospitals did not always report to CMS the device manufacturer credits that they received.

One prior audit estimated that services related to the replacement of seven recalled and prematurely failed cardiac medical devices cost Medicare $1.5 billion during calendar years 2005 through 2014.

How the OIG performed this Audit

OIG obtained a list of warranty credits from the device manufacturers and matched the device recipients to the Medicare enrollment database to determine which recipients were Medicare beneficiaries. Next, they matched the beneficiaries to the Medicare National Claims History to identify claims that had a cardiac device replacement procedure for which the date of service matched to the device replacement procedure date on the credit listing. Finally, they evaluated compliance with selected billing requirements.

What the OIG Found

For 3,233 of the 6,558 Medicare claims that the OIG reviewed, hospitals likely did not comply with Medicare requirements associated with reporting manufacturer credits for recalled or prematurely failed cardiac medical devices.

Device manufacturers issued reportable credits to the hospitals for these devices, but the hospitals did not adjust the claims with proper condition and value codes to reduce payments as required. As a result, 911 hospitals received payments of $76 million rather than the $43 million they should have received, resulting in $33 million in potential overpayments.

Medicare contractors made these overpayments because they do not have a post-payment review process that would ensure that hospitals reported manufacturer credits for cardiac medical devices.

What the OIG Recommends and CMS Comments

OIG recommends that CMS:

  1. Instruct Medicare contractors to recover the portion of the $33 million in identified Medicare overpayments that are within the reopening period.
  2. Notify hospitals associated with potential overpayments outside the reopening period so that they can exercise reasonable diligence to identify, report, and return any overpayments in accordance with the 60-day rule.
  3. Require hospitals to use condition codes 49 and 50 on claims.
  4. Instruct Medicare contractors to implement a post-payment review process.
  5. Obtain device credit listings from manufacturers and determine whether providers reported credits as required.
  6. Direct Medicare contractors to determine whether hospitals, which we have identified as having billed incorrectly in both this audit and our prior audit (A-05-16-00059), have engaged in a pattern of incorrect billing after our audit period and, if so, take appropriate action in accordance with CMS policies and procedures.
  7. Consider eliminating the current Medicare requirements for reporting device credits by reducing the payments for cardiac device replacement procedures.

CMS concurred with three of our seven recommendations and described the actions it planned to take to address them. For the four recommendations that CMS did not concur with, OIG maintains that CMS should require the use of condition codes; implement a post payment process; acquire the credit listings from manufacturers; and determine whether providers identified as having billed incorrectly continued to do so after the audit period.

OfficeofInspectorGeneral

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