In brief: Insulet likes the Neighborhood, USM buys Advacare

BEDFORD, Mass. - Insulin pump manufacturer Insulet has acquired Woburn, Mass.-based Neighborhood Diabetes for $63 million, it was announced June 2. Neighborhood serves more than 60,000 customers, primarily in the northeast and southeast. The deal will allow Insulet, which manufactures the OmniPod, to accelerate growth plans. Neighborhood has about 15,000 insulin-dependent customers who use multiple daily injections instead of a pump. Combined, the companies will offer a full range of diabetes management services and products to about 85,000 customers.

HomeFill hits 200,000 milestone

ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare announced last week that it had shipped its 200,000th HomeFill Oxygen System. The system allows oxygen patients to fill their own cylinders from a concentrator, giving them greater independence and freedom. Additionally, it reduces service calls associated with cylinder and/or liquid oxygen deliveries, Invacare stated in a release. "When we first launched the HomeFill System, the idea of having patients fill their own cylinders at home was considered radical, but Invacare was always behind this product," stated J.B. Richey, senior vice president of electronic and design engineering and president of Invacare Technologies Division, in a release. "Non-delivery oxygen is good business for providers and provides patients with an endless supply of oxygen. It's a win-win." Invacare delivered its 150,000th HomeFill system in February 2009. It estimates nearly 1 million patients are "experiencing the benefits of transfilling with Invacare."

Nurse criticizes competitive bidding

WATERLOO, Iowa - People for Quality Care (PFQC) released a video last week of a registered nurse discussing how competitive bidding has impacted her ability to care for patients. The PFQC is an advocacy group that educates people with disabilities, their families and Medicare beneficiaries about government programs. PFQC's Kelly Turner and Beth Cox conducted interviews with patient advocates in the Dallas area in April. The video is available at www.peopleforqualitycare.org.

NCART to host second National Medicaid Summit

ST. LOUIS - NCART will gather complex rehab technology (CRT) suppliers, manufacturers, state association directors and others for a summit Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. The second annual National Medicaid Summit participants will receive CRT regulatory, legislative and judicial updates on Medicaid programs, learn from case studies based on actual experiences with Medicaid issues from across the country, and improve state-to-state communication and networking regarding Medicaid matters. More information can be found at www.ncart.us.

United Seating & Mobility buys Advacare Mobility & Seating

ST. LOUIS - United Seating & Mobility announced June 2 that it has finalized a transaction with Advacare Mobility & Seating to acquire its mobility business located in Kansas City, Mo. It will also acquire additional locations in Topeka and Wichita, Kan. Bob Gouy, president and CEO of USM, said the acquisition allows for sustainable growth. Advacare founder Jerry Stevens will join USM as a director with responsibility for acquisition integration.

Short takes: Invacare, TAG, Carex, Egolet

Mal Mixon, Invacare's chairman of the board, sat on an expert panel discussing the impact of healthcare reform on home care at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Home Care Physicians May 10-11 in Maryland...The Aftermarket Group has launched a new and improved website, the company announced last week. New features of www.aftermarketgroup.com include the ability to search for part numbers, manufacturers and product categories; installation videos and PDFs; and MSRP and provider pricing. TAG provides replacement parts and supplies...Carex Health Brands has moved its corporate headquarters to Boston to support an expanding marketing team, the company announced last week. Carex's goal: To increase brand building efforts and double new product development. Carex manufactures bathroom safety, mobility and other aids to daily living. It also has an office in Sioux Falls, S.D...Ergolet has redesigned its website to allow users to view information in the language of their choice, the manufacturer of overhead lifts, sit-to-stand aids and mobile lifts announced last week. The website, www.ergolet.com, features detailed descriptions of safe lifting options, including videos to illustrate proper lifting techniques and practices.