News
In brief: Aeroflow & Canopie, prior auth relief, massive fraud takedown
June 26, 2026HME News Staff
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Aeroflow Health has acquired Canopie, a digital health company that provides virtual preventative care programs for expecting and new moms, with a focus on mental health and physical wellness.
Aeroflow already connects moms with lactation supplies, feeding support, and perinatal education through its flagship business, Aeroflow Breastpumps.
"Supporting mothers through every stage of pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond has always been our vision, not just through products,...
Bill seeks to eliminate prior authorization for wheelchair repairs
June 25, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., has introduced legislation that would remove prior authorization requirements from Medicare Advantage plans for maintenance and repairs to wheelchairs and other complex rehab technology (CRT).
“When a wheelchair breaks down, daily life is disrupted,” said Pressley. “I’m grateful to my constituents and our disability justice advocates for informing this vital legislation.”
Pressley announced the “Facilitating...
Small businesses push back on competitive bidding during listening session
June 24, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – Representatives from AAHomecare and several home medical equipment (HME) companies participated in a virtual listening session hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on June 23 to talk about the dangers of Medicare’s remote-item delivery (RID) model for competitive bidding, calling it a “great first step” in their efforts to delay the program.
Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare, spoke at the session, pointing out that 85% of HME companies...
DOJ charges 455 in $6.5B fraud takedown
June 24, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged 455 defendants in connection with more than $6.5 billion in alleged health care fraud, including schemes involving durable medical equipment, Medicaid, opioids and other health care services.
“Health care fraud steals from taxpayers, exploits vulnerable patients, and puts lives at risk,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “We will find you, we will prosecute you and we will hold you accountable.”
The...
Molina Healthcare taps DME Navigator platform to manage DME benefits in three more states
June 23, 2026HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine – Molina Healthcare of Iowa will implement a new DME Navigator program for members in all lines of business starting in the fall. The payer also has plans to use the platform in Nebraska and Wisconsin.
What durable medical equipment providers in Iowa need to know:
Molina is subcontracting the DME network to Optum for the in-scope DME products and services.
CareCentrix will contract, credential and manage a network of DME providers rendering in-scope products and services...
In brief: Molina’s next implementation, Medline’s fire response, MiniMed’s Flex
June 22, 2026HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine – Molina Healthcare of Iowa will implement a new DME Navigator program for members in all lines of business starting in the fall. The payer also has plans to use the platform in Nebraska and Wisconsin.
What durable medical equipment providers in Iowa need to know:
Molina is subcontracting the DME network to Optum for the in-scope DME products and services.
CareCentrix will contract, credential and manage a network of DME providers rendering in-scope products and services...
Association leaders use State Summit to align TPA response
June 19, 2026HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa - VGM’s recent State Leader Summit gave association leaders something they rarely get: A chance to sit in the same room at a moment when the home medical equipment (HME) industry needs a coordinated response to the accelerating shift to third-party administrators (TPAs).
In recent months, insurers in states from Tennessee to Washington state have tapped TPAs to manage their HME benefit.
“Currently, we've got the third-party administrator piece floating through...
New therapies challenge CPAP, but providers aren’t shifting yet
June 19, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – There may be an increasing number of options to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but CPAP remains the top choice, say 68% of respondents to a recent HME Newspoll.
“The sleep apnea treatment landscape is becoming increasingly diverse, which is good news for patients,” wrote one respondent. “New options, such as oral appliances, implantable devices and emerging medications may help people who struggle with CPAP therapy. That said, CPAP remains the gold...
AAHomecare throws weight behind Medicare Advantage reforms
June 19, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has sent letters of support to the sponsors of legislation in the House and Senate that would reform Medicare Advantage prior authorization, claims integrity and transparency.
In its letters to Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., the organization shared how the bills would address challenges that home medical equipment (HME) providers face daily and would improve access to medical necessary equipment for Medicare beneficiaries.
“These...
In brief: AO oversight finalized, Medicaid oversight tightened, scam campaign launched
June 19, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) has published a rule finalizing enhanced oversight of accrediting organizations (AOs).
The agency says the rule, “Strengthening Oversight of AO and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest,” ensures that the organizations responsible for the oversight of more than 9,000 health care providers and suppliers use Medicare standards, and creates greater consistency between State Survey Agencies (SAs) and AOs in their survey processes.
“The...