Article
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...
CRT providers wrangle with repairs and prior auth exemption
June 19, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – Complex rehab technology (CRT) providers continue to face persistent challenges with documentation and billing for wheelchair repairs, according to Dan Fedor of U.S. Rehab, who addressed the issue at the recent VGM Heartland Conference.
Fedor, director of reimbursement and education for U.S. Rehab, a division of VGM & Associates, said repairs remain one of the most common operational pain points for providers – accounting for roughly 30% of his daily communications...
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...
Louisiana strengthens Medicaid provider oversight
June 18, 2026HME News Staff
BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Health is implementing enhanced provider oversight measures designed to strengthen Medicaid program integrity, protect beneficiaries and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately. The initiative includes more frequent reviews of high-risk providers, expanded provider verification requirements, enhanced monitoring and data analytics, and closer coordination with state and federal program integrity partners. “Every taxpayer dollar entrusted...
HHS launches elder justice, scam awareness campaign
June 18, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Elder Justice Coordinating Council, has launched the Federal Elder Justice Action Plan, a government-wide strategy to protect older Americans’ rights, strengthen accountability and make help easier to find. HHS has also launched “Never EVER,” a national campaign designed to help people recognize and avoid government and business imposter scams. “Scammers steal an estimated $28 billion from older...
Rehab Medical, Cork Medical named in 'largest developer' list
June 18, 2026HME News Staff
INDIANAPOLIS – Rehab Medical and Cork Medical have been named to the Indianapolis Business Journal’s 2026 list of Largest Medical Device/Product Developers in the Greater Indianapolis area. Rehab Medical ranked No. 5, while Cork Medical ranked No. 17. “We are proud to see both Rehab Medical and Cork Medical recognized on this list as it reflects the consistent manner in which we have approached growth,” said Kevin Gearheart, Rehab Industries partner and president. “We...
WeInfuse, Eitan Medical partner on infusion workflow integration
June 18, 2026HME News Staff
DALLAS – WeInfuse has partnered with Eitan Medical to connect smart infusion pump technology with clinical workflows, helping infusion providers reduce manual documentation and spend more time on patient care, the companies say. WeInfuse provides software for infusion providers and specialty pharmacies, while Eitan Medical develops infusion therapy and drug delivery technologies, including its Sapphire and Avoset infusion pumps and Eitan Insights platform. The companies will integrate their...
CMS finalizes plans to increase oversight of AOs
June 18, 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...