Vendors

PITTSBURGH – Philips RS North America, formerly known as Respironics, has agreed to pay $1.28 million to settle allegations that it unlawfully induced referrals for its equipment in violation of the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute, the Department of Justice has announced.  The government specifically alleged that, between December 2015 and December 2016, Respironics helped a DME supplier procure a twelve-month, interest-free loan that was fully guaranteed by Respironics....

NORTHFIELD, Ill. – Medline has invested an additional $500 million in incremental medical supply inventory to ensure product availability and timely delivery to the healthcare providers it serves.   The investment, completed at the end of the second quarter of 2022, brings the company’s total on-hand inventory to more than $4 billion and marks another step taken by Medline to help healthcare run better despite continued industry-wide global supply chain challenges.  “Our...

SAN DIEGO – ResMed is taking another step to diversify its product offerings, as well as boost its digital health presence, with its recently announced acquisition of mementor, says CEO Mick Farrell.  mementor, which is based in Leipzig, Germany, develops and sells digital medical products and has the only permanently listed digital health application in sleep medicine that is reimbursed by statutory insurances in the country.  “As we consider opportunities to address...

PITTSBURGH – Philips Respironics is alerting users of certain CPAP or Bi-Level PAP therapy masks with magnetic headgear clips or straps that these devices should not be used by or near patients and their household members, caregivers and bed partners who have metallic implanted devices or metallic objects (such as metallic splinters) in the body.   The magnetic headgear clips are used to attach the headgear straps to the masks, a commonly used method in sleep therapy devices.  This...

AKRON, Ohio – ACU-Serve’s acquisition of ECS Billing & Consulting North gives the company a high-profile foothold in consulting and training, says CEO Jim Knight.   As part of the deal, Sarah Hanna will join ACU-Serve as vice president of consulting services, as will Kit Shellhouse, both frequent speakers at HME industry events.  “We’re really a full-service provider, with one exception: We don’t do consulting services,” Knight said. “So,...

PITTBURGH – Philips Respironics has agreed to pay more than $24 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it misled federal health care programs by paying kickbacks to DME suppliers, the U.S. Department of Justice has announced.  The settlement resolves allegations that Respironics caused DME suppliers to submit claims for ventilators, oxygen concentrators, CPAP and BiPAP machines, and other respiratory related medical equipment that were false because the company provided...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting patients, caregivers and health care providers that Philips Respironics has recalled 386 affected bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines that may contain a plastic contaminated with a non-compatible material.  “If that plastic is in the device motor, it may release certain chemicals of concern called volatile organic compounds (VOCs),” the FDA stated. “The plastic may also cause the machine...

ELYRIA, Ohio – Matt Monaghan has left his role as chairman, president and CEO of Invacare.  Geoffrey Purtill, who has been serving as the company’s senior vice president and general manager, EMEA and APAC, is interim president and CEO.  “After careful consideration, the board determined that now is the right time for a change in leadership to oversee the successful execution of Invacare’s business transformation,” Cliff Nastas, Invacare’s lead independent...

ELYRIA, Ohio – Invacare has entered into a cooperation agreement with its largest shareholder, Azurite Management LLC, which currently owns about 10.3% of the company’s outstanding shares as of June 30, 2022. As part of the agreement, Invacare appointed two new independent directors, Steven Rosen and Ambassador Edward Crawford effective immediately. “Following constructive dialogue and collaboration with Azurite, we are pleased to strengthen our board with the addition of...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated its safety communication for the Philips recall this month, saying it received more than 48,000 medical device reports, including 44 reports of death, associated with the foam breakdown or suspected foam breakdown in certain CPAP devices from May 1, 2022, through July 31, 2022.  The agency previously reported in May that it received more than 21,000 MDRs, including 124 reports of death, associated with the foam breakdown...