ActionPPE in the News
Media Coverage
We’re pleased to share the coverage ActionPPE and our medical association partners have received.
Are We Headed for a Nationwide Syringe Shortage?
By Bill Crates – Published: Apr. 1, 2021
Vaccinating more than 300 million individuals presents its own supply chain challenges. Along with getting the vaccine to the right place at the right time, it requires a massive number of syringes, especially considering that the Moderna and Pfizer versions require two doses. Of course, syringes are also used in myriad other healthcare applications, including diabetes treatments and flu shots—and in dentists’ practices.
The world’s largest syringe maker has reported that it doesn’t have the capacity to substantially increase the United States’ supplies of the specialty syringes required to inoculate people with the COVID-19 vaccine in the weeks and months ahead. While the federal government does have contracts with other manufacturers, it is not clear whether or not these manufacturers can meet the demand for the specialty syringes.
Doctors Are Being Denied Insurance Reimbursement for COVID-19 PPE
By Amanda Krupa, MSc – Published: Feb. 4, 2021
Twenty-seven of Cindy Mrotek’s, LBS I, BCaBA, clients at ace Therapies, an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) clinic serving children and young adults with developmental disabilities she founded in the Chicagoland area, have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. However, despite billing the well-known insurance provider for the additional supplies, materials, and clinical staff time needed during the pandemic, all but three patients’ policies have denied coverage.
“We don’t charge families out-of-pocket if their insurance doesn’t reimburse us,” Mrotek says. “But, I know many practices do.” In fact, Mrotek said she was charged an extra $10 to cover personal protective equipment (PPE) expenses before her daughter’s recent visit to the pediatrician.
Hochman founded the doctor-led, group-buying collective ActionPPE, which he says has delivered more than 3 million units of FDA-certified PPE and medical supplies to independent and private practices in 40 states.
80% Americans Say Doctors Should Keep Wearing Masks Post Pandemic
by Tonya Johnson – Published: Jan 21, 2021
According to a recent report from ActionPPE survey, 80% of Americans believe healthcare professionals should continue to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) even after the COVID-19 pandemic is over, with 51% willing to pay more for office visits to ensure their doctor has access to the necessary protective gear. This is one of several findings revealed by ActionPPE, the Charleston County Medical Society (CCMS) nationwide collective buying initiative created by doctors for doctors.
“It’s clear that PPE, particularly masks, are the preferred way to keep doctors and patients safe during the pandemic and after as well,” said Marcelo Hochman, MD, facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, founder of ActionPPE and CCMS president.
Consumers Say PPE Use Should Continue Once the Pandemic Is Over
Published: Jan, 21, 2021
An overwhelming majority of Americans, 80%, believe that healthcare professionals should continue to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) even after the pandemic is over.
When asked who should have the best access to PPE, 53% of respondents said dentists and orthodontists, placing them third. Surgeons led the category at 65%, followed by nurses and physicians assistants at 58%.
“At ActionPPE, we are most proud of doctors helping doctors during the PPE crisis, as they take matters into their own hands to protect themselves, their patients, and their communities by purchasing PPE directly from suppliers,” Hochman said.
Charleston County Medical Society Forms Buying Group to Help Doctors Get Essential PPE
Published: Jan 10, 2021
Charleston County Medical Society (CCMS) today announced that ActionPPE, its collective buying initiative created by doctors for doctors, has shipped over 3.4 million units of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, respirators, gloves, gowns, face shields, and sanitizer, to 2,606 practices representing over 10,000 doctors.
I’m a strong believer that the people who are involved with the problem are the ones who need to come up with the solutions, said Dr. Marcelo Hochman, CCMS president.
Amid ongoing PPE crisis, doctor-led efforts focus on needs of smaller healthcare entities
By Anuja Vaidya – Published: Jan. 10, 2021 at 10:00AM EST
The lack of access to personal protective equipment is an ongoing issue in the U.S., particularly among smaller, non-hospital facilities. But doctor-led PPE collection and distribution groups are tackling the problem head on.
Initially, the collective was focused on the PPE possessions most prized early in the pandemic — masks and gloves. But more recently, Action PPE has been looking at acquiring syringes and needles.
An SC doctors’ group banded together to crack its PPE problem. The idea caught on.
By Mary Katherine Wildeman – Published: Jan 10, 2021 Updated Feb 10, 2021
Not long after the coronavirus arrived in South Carolina in early March, Dr. Marcelo Hochman, ran up against a problem that could keep his practice from staying open: He couldn’t buy the personal protective equipment he needed.
Doctor-led Collective Buying Group ActionPPE Gives Dental Professionals Access to Needed PPE
By Alison Werner – Published: Jan 7, 2021
ActionPPE, a collective buying initiative created by doctors for doctors, announced that it has shipped over 3.4 million units of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, respirators, gloves, gowns, face shields, and sanitizer, to 2,606 practices representing over 10,000 doctors and 40 states.
According to the group, ActionPPE’s mission is to provide PPE and medical devices to independent doctors and practices that are not part of large hospital systems and have been disenfranchised—especially during the pandemic. During the first wave of the pandemic, smaller physician offices and solo practitioners were particularly hard hit, as their traditional suppliers prioritized PPE needs of larger practices and health systems.
“I’m a strong believer that the people who are involved with the problem are the ones who need to come up with the solutions,” said Marcelo Hochman, MD, CCMS president.
How the Texas Medical Association got millions of masks to doctors
By Andis Robeznieks – Published: Dec. 30, 2020
Earlier this year, Manvinder Kainth, MD, had a handful of N95 masks that she kept in paper bags labeled for each day of the week.
“It was a scramble to find any vendor that had masks,” she said. “I didn’t care if it was five masks or 200, if I had the ability to buy them, I would.”
Other Associations: The North Carolina Medical Society has helped get its physicians PPE through ActionPPE, a group purchasing program operated in collaboration with other medical societies.
Company formed by doctor and UW grad helps supply PPE across the state
By Michelle Baik – Published: Dec. 26, 2020 at 8:55 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – In the global vaccination push, some doctors fear a supply shortage among syringes and needles, but one group says it is prepared to help tackle that.
ActionPPE helps independent doctors nationwide purchase the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need. It was formed early in the COVID-19 pandemic by Dr. Marcelo Hochman, the president of the Charleston County Medical Society in South Carolina, and University of Wisconsin-Madison alum James Eron.
Dr. Hochman said small practices like his could not get their hands on enough PPE, such as N95 masks.
Action PPE Helping Doctors Nationwide
Published: Decembed 23, 2020
A doctor based out of South Carolina, Dr. Marcelo Hochman, has helped small practices across the nation stay equipped with PPE through his company Action PPE. KDKA’s Meghan Schiller spoke with Dr. Hochman about the effort.
South Carolina Doctor Helping Make Sure Pittsburgh Doctors Have Personal Protective Equipment
By Meghan Schiller – December 23, 2020 at 4:06 am
Dr. Marcelo Hochman has helped small practices nationwide stay equipped with PPE during the pandemic.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (KDKA) – The next time you visit your doctor or take your child to see the pediatrician, you’ll expect them and their staff to be wearing “PPE” or personal protective equipment.
However, those masks, face shields, gowns, and gloves are in high-demand and hard to come by these days.
Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Scarcity of PPE Kept Americans From In-Person Physician Visits
ActionPPE Research Reveals a Broken Supply Chain System That Fails Independent Practices MT. PLEASANT, S.C.– February 18, 2021— Physicians’ lack of access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the early stages of the pandemic exposed a broken supply chain that...
ActionPPE Survey: 80% of Americans Say Providers Should Continue to Wear PPE After Pandemic Is Over
ActionPPE Reignites Power of Collective in Healthcare U.S. Consumers Are Willing to Pay More for Office Visits to Ensure Their Doctors Have Access to Protective Gear PLEASANT, S.C.–January 21, 2021--An overwhelming majority of Americans – 80% – believe healthcare...
Charleston County Medical Society Forms Buying Group to Help Doctors Get Essential PPE
ActionPPE Reignites Power of Collective in Healthcare MT. PLEASANT, S.C.–January 6, 2020--Charleston County Medical Society (CCMS) today announced that ActionPPE, its collective buying initiative created by doctors for doctors, has shipped over 3.4 million units of...
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What if an employee tests positive?
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The August PPE shortage…how bad is it?
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Can patients get away with “Moonshine” masks?
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