Archive: March 2025
On The Mend doubles up in Connecticut
March 31, 2025HME News Staff
SOUTHINGTON, Conn. - On The Mend Medical Supplies & Equipment has opened a new location in Southington, Conn., its second in the state. The company, founded in 2016, offers specialized services, including home assessments, personalized consultations and 365-day emergency support. “At On The Mend, we are committed to improving the quality of life of our customers,” said Liam O’Keefe, business owner. “That’s why we go the extra mile, investing in extensive research and...
NYC greenlights free sleep apnea screenings
March 31, 2025HME News Staff
NEW YORK CITY – The New York City Council on March 26 passed a bill that will require the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, or another agency designated by the mayor with the appropriate subject matter expertise, to establish a three-year pilot program that provides access to sleep apnea screenings and, if deemed appropriate, to home sleep apnea tests, at no cost. The bill requires the agency to prioritize individuals without insurance and to publish a report on the...
VGM launches Tariff Tracker
March 31, 2025HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Government Relations has launched Tariff Tracker, a centralized hub for all tariff-related information. Currently, the page features a curated selection of helpful tariff tracking links, offering users quick and reliable access to essential data, it says. “This resource aims to provide our users with the tools and insights they need to stay informed and navigate tariff updates effortlessly,” VGM stated in an update. “We are committed to continuously enhancing...
HHS announces overhaul
March 31, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced a restructuring that it says will save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year through a reduction in workforce of about 10,000 full-time employees, including 300 at CMS.
When combined with the agency’s other efforts, including early retirement, the restructuring results in a total downsizing from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees.
“We aren't just reducing bureaucratic sprawl,” said...
AAH launches advocacy videos, toolkit
March 31, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has launched a new video campaign highlighting the impact of HME through the story of Brandon, a young professional and quadriplegic whose journey, the association says, is a testament to the freedom, independence and purpose that HME makes possible.
AAHomecare created two targeted video resources to help HME stakeholders showcase the industry’s value: a 4.5-minute mini documentary for consumers and the public; and a short advocacy video for payers and...
Stakeholders see hurdles, burdens in proposed decision on vents
March 28, 2025Theresa Flaherty
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders are carefully weighing their response to CMS’s proposed decision on coverage for noninvasive home mechanical ventilators and respiratory assist devices, including asking the agency to pause implementation of the policy.
CMS on March 11 released a proposed decision in response to the request to reconsider NCD 280.1 to establish coverage policies for the use of noninvasive HMV and RAD for Medicare beneficiaries with COPD.
AAHomecare,...
Abbott seeks to go ‘above the bias’
March 28, 2025Theresa Flaherty
ALAMEDA, Calif. – Nearly 70% of people with diabetes believe there is stigma associated with their condition, according to a survey from Abbott, and that can stand in the way of care, says Dr. Mahmood Kazemi.
“Misconceptions and stereotypes about diabetes can prevent some people from getting care,” said Kazemi, divisional vice president, medical/clinical affairs and chief medical officer, Abbott Diabetes Care. “It’s disheartening. What is promising, though,...
Resmed drives awareness
March 28, 2025Liz Beaulieu, Editor
SAN DIEGO – A big reason for Resmed’s recently announced rebrand is to reflect its increased direct-to-consumer engagement on obstructive sleep apnea and CPAP therapy. Chief Marketing Officer Katrin Pucknat spoke with HME News about what that means for the company’s provider customers.
HME News: How has Resmed increased its direct-to-consumer engagement and why is this something the company is increasingly focused on? What have been the preliminary results of that engagement?
Katrin...
CRT stakeholders strategize to advance new tech
March 28, 2025Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – Complex rehab technology stakeholders in a recent webcast outlined their priorities for 2025, including getting a bill passed that would improve access to high-tech ultralightweight manual wheelchairs.
Previous versions of the bill nearly passed in late 2024, but there was “a hiccup,” said Wayne Grau, executive director of NCART, which hosted the webcast with U.S. Rehab.
“We couldn’t get it passed because one senator decided he wanted...
In brief: Aetna pauses CPAP change, FDA warns Dexcom, Owens & Minor launches offering
March 28, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Aetna has put a proposed change on hold for review after AAHomecare asked the insurer to reconsider using certain adherence codes that can only be billed by clinicians not DME providers.
The proposed change, announced in January, stated: “Beginning April 1, 2025, we’ll no longer reimburse the CPAP device or the supplies unless adherence to positive airway pressure therapy is documented using adherence codes G8851, G8854 and G8855 on the claim.”
“On...