In brief: Abbott integrates with Epic, NCPA appeals to DOGE, AAH calls for advocates 

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. – Abbott has entered a first-of-its-kind agreement to integrate data from FreeStyle Libre CGM systems directly into Epic electronic health record systems in the United States, allowing clinicians to view data from within the systems before, during and after meeting with patients. 

The collaboration aims to improve workflow efficiency through Epic’s Aura software, which brings health systems together with diagnostic labs and medical device manufacturers. 

"Our goal is to simplify care and drive better outcomes for both providers and patients," said Lisa Earnhardt, executive vice president and group president of medical devices for Abbott. "While the integration with Libre data is Abbott's first medical device offering with Epic, it's just the beginning. We aim to expand this model to our other medical devices and connected care platforms in the future."  

Now, more than 575,000 U.S. health care providers serving 280 million patients will have access to critical glucose data in their patient charts, helping them spend less time finding data and more time on care management, Abbott says. 

The integration also makes it easier to use advanced CGM technology that can lead to improved patient engagement and behavior change, both companies say. 

"Our work with Abbott aims to make life simpler for the nearly 40 million people in the U.S. who live with diabetes today," said Alan Hutchison, vice president at Epic. "Diabetes requires close collaboration between patients, primary care providers and specialists to manage a complex and time-critical care plan. This will help everyone focus more on patient care and less on administrative hurdles." 

NCPA urges DOGE to investigate PBMs 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association, in a new letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is urging DOGE to focus on pharmacy benefit managers as a major source of waste, fraud and abuse. 

“The increasing dominance of PBMs poses a significant threat to consumers’ convenient access to prescription medications and pharmacy services, while at the same time charging taxpayers excessively and draining limited health care resources in public health programs like Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Tricare and the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan (FEHBP),” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey in a letter to Rachel Riley, senior adviser for HHS. 

The letter comes as Congress is considering whether to include PBM reforms in differing spending bills that have passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and must now be reconciled. 

Hoey said DOGE should work with CMS to eliminate or significantly tighten up the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. 

“We are concerned that pharmacies will have to float the program to the tune of roughly $11,000 per independent pharmacy per week; that pharmacies will not be paid fairly by PBMs; and that manufacturer refund payments to pharmacies will be delayed,” he said. “A recent study found that pharmacies could forfeit an average of $43,000 in annual revenue due to underpayments — roughly equivalent to a pharmacy technician’s yearly salary.” 

Hoey cited reports by the Federal Trade Commission and the House Oversight Committee exposing numerous examples of anticompetitive practices that lead to higher drug costs, fewer options for patients and less competition in the retail pharmacy sector. He also pointed out that President Trump on several occasions called out PBMs as bad actors and that curbing their influence would be part of his plan for lower drug costs. 

Click here to read the full letter. 

• Related: FTC scrutinizes PBM markups. 

Medline names new CMO 

NORTHFIELD, Ill. – Medline has appointed Jenny Lee as its new chief marketing officer to drive its marketing initiatives forward and enhance its customer engagement efforts. Lee, who previously held positions at Boston Scientific and Johnson & Johnson, has a wealth of expertise in global brand strategy, data-driven marketing and commercial transformation, Medline says. “Jenny has consistently demonstrated her ability to modernize customer engagement and drive significant impact across the health care sector,” the company stated. “We are confident that her innovative approach will further elevate our brand and strengthen our market presence as we make healthcare run better. Her thought leadership in the industry is well-recognized, and we look forward to the transformative contributions she will bring.” Medline employs more than 43,000 people worldwide and operates in more than 100 countries and territories. 

Motion hosts sales conference 

TORONTO – Motion hosted a National Sales Conference April 6-8. On the second day of the event, the company welcomed 43 supplier partners, including Amylior, Bruno Independent Living Aids, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare and Freedom Concepts, for a Vendor Expo that offered its sales and leadership team the chance to experience a full day of learning and networking. The event also included a special recognition presentation for the four founders of Motion Specialties: David Harding, Janet Kerr, Doug Kerr and Richard Eakins. Additionally, it included remarks from Scott Meuser, chairman and CEO of Pride Mobility Products. Motion is a provider of comprehensive and customized mobility and home accessibility solutions for a wide variety of clients from children to seniors. It was founded in 1985. 

Lincare secures reaccreditation 

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Lincare and its wholly owned subsidiaries have been reaccredited by the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) for HME and pharmacy services, the company announced April 16. “The CHAP accreditation is another endorsement of the good work we do,” said CEO Jeff Barnhard. “Our reaccreditation is a team achievement, exemplifying the hard work and dedication of every member of the Lincare family.” Lincare must renew its accreditation with CHAP every three years. To achieve accreditation, organizations like Lincare must meet CHAP’s standards of excellence, a comprehensive set of guidelines and requirements that are deeply rooted in industry practices and cover critical areas such as clinical care, patient safety, management practices and organizational government. CHAP was the first accrediting body in the nation to receive deeming authority from the federal government in 1992. 

Lumicera, Costco partner to expand specialty pharmacy 

MADISON, Wis., and ISSAQUAH, Wash. – Lumicera Health Services has announced a partnership with Costco Wholesale Corp. to expand cost-plus specialty pharmacy in the marketplace and offer a broad spectrum of specialty medications with patient support, pricing transparency and clinical expertise. The company, whose services include home infusion, will provide access to complex and often expensive medication therapies at an auditable cost to commercial employer benefit plan sponsors and pharmacy benefit managers that partner with Costco Pharmacy. “This partnership underscores our dedication to transparency in the pharmaceutical industry,” said Ben Heiser, PharmD, MBA, CSP, LSSGB, Lumicera’s general manager. “By collaborating with Costco, we extend our cost-plus pricing model for specialty pharmacy, offering a clearer view of medication costs. As drug prices continue to skyrocket, we remain committed to doing things the right way—for both patients and our partners. By returning all negotiated discounts from drug companies through our pass-through, acquisition cost-plus pricing model, we help keep medication costs as low as possible, ensuring people can afford the critical treatments they need.” For more than 10 years, Lumicera has specialized in the acquisition and distribution of medications that require special handling, including refrigeration and other logistical requirements. Its model includes comprehensive patient support and customized treatments through several Centers of Excellence. With Lumicera, Costco enhances its ability to serve patients with chronic and rare conditions, offering the personalized assistance and resources they need, the companies say. “Costco and Lumicera are united by a commitment to transparency, exceptional quality, and a member-centric approach,” said Richard Stephens, senior vice president, Costco Pharmacy. “With more than a decade of experience delivering specialty pharmacy services, Lumicera brings an industry-leading patient support model to enhance our offerings and improve patient outcomes. Our goal is to continue to deliver significant value on specialty medications by securing better pricing for high-cost drugs, passing these savings directly to our customers, and supporting patient health and improved outcomes.” 

Fun take: Amy Poehler & Jack Black on CPAP therapy 

LOS ANGELES – Comedians and actors Amy Poehler and Jack Black discussed their experiences with sleep therapy in a recent episode of Poehler’s “Good Hang” podcast. Poehler said her CPAP device “changed my life.” Black said: “My CPAP machine was a game changer.” They both said using a CPAP device “takes a little while to get used to” but that they can no longer sleep without it. Poehler also talked about how she put her CPAP device into the movie Wine Country.  Listen to the podcast here. 

Ekso signs first O&P provider for its exoskeleton device 

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - Ekso Bionics Holdings has named Bionic Prosthetics and Orthotics Group as a non-exclusive distributor for its Ekso Indego Personal, a wearable lower extremity powered exoskeleton that enables certain individuals living with spinal cord injuries with the ability to stand and walk independently. “This exciting new commercial alliance with a recognized leader like Bionic P&O aligns squarely with our mission of improving health and quality of life with advanced robotics designed to enhance, amplify, and restore human function,” said Scott Davis, CEO of Ekso Bionics. “From a business perspective, the successful marketing and distribution of an innovative device like Ekso Indego Personal requires deep insight into the particular market dynamics, the reimbursement landscape, and above all, the needs of patients served within the community. I cannot think of a better choice than Bionic P&O as our first distributor for Ekso Indego Personal within the important orthotics and prosthetics industry.” Ekso Bionics says the Indego Personal is the only known portable exoskeleton device to offer a modular quick connect design, which was engineered to allow users to put on and take off the device without assistance. The company says it’s the lightest known commercial exoskeleton available, offering ease of handling, transportation and storage. Bionic P&O says the Ekso Indego will make a lasting positive impact on the lives of its patients and has the potential to transform the O&P industry. “We are thrilled by our alliance with Ekso Bionics,” said “Daniel Chan, national business development manager at Bionic P&O. “Together, we are paving the way for a future where spinal cord injury patients can not only dream of walking again but actively work towards that goal.”  

• Related: NSM becomes exclusive distributor for Ekso. 

AAH seeks more advocates for conference 

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare says more than 100 advocates have registered for the upcoming Washington Legislative Conference ahead of an April 30 deadline but more are needed. “Your voice, your experience and your passion for HME in face-to-face meetings with legislators and staff are critical to moving the needle on 75/25 blended rate relief legislation and other policy priorities,” the association stated in a bulletin. In March, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, along with three original cosponsors, introduced H.R. 2005, a bill to re-establish blended rates in non-rural/non-competitive bidding areas. The conference will include an online education webinar on May 5, a reception and dinner at the Capitol Hill Club on May 12, and a networking breakfast at the Washington Marriott Capitol Hill and meetings with congressional offices on Capitol Hill on May 13. It’s AAHomecare’s first full-scale, in-person conference since 2019. Register here. 

• Related: Office visits, watercooler chats to boost support. 

United Spinal names new director  

NEW YORK – United Spinal Association has appointed Arielle Rausin as director of Chapter and Hospital Network Relations and Engagement. Rausin’s appointment will strengthen the association’s National Chapter Network and Hospital Network at a time when disability issues are gaining greater visibility and advancements are being made in health care and air transportation. “Our chapters and hospital partners are the heart of our grassroots movement, bringing our mission to life in communities across the country,” said Vincenzo Piscopo, United Spinal president and CEO. “We’re thrilled to welcome Arielle as our new director of Chapter and Hospital Network Relations. Her leadership will help deepen our local impact and expand our reach.” Rausin previously served as director of International Chapters at Achilles International, an organization for athletes with disabilities. She is a decorated parathlete and former Team USA Paralympic Track and Field member. Rausin also founded an assistive technology company concentrating on 3D-printing solutions for wheelchair users, Ingenium Manufacturing. United Spinal’s National Chapter Network, which comprises 39 organizations throughout the United States, promotes community building, cultural activities and local grassroots advocacy among wheelchair users. The association's Hospital Network, which comprises more than 125 members nationwide, serves as a nexus for collaboration between the disability community and clinicians on health equity, accessibility and inclusion. 

ApZme secures more VA business for CPAP alternative 

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Dental sleep medicine company apZme has announced that additional clinics have been credentialed through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, bringing its total number of clinics to nearly 100 across the United States. Each clinic is approved to provide oral appliance therapy to veterans seeking alternatives to CPAP therapy. "It's an honor to serve the ones who served," said Rani Ben-David, chairman and founder of apZme. "This expansion shows our commitment to delivering life-changing sleep solutions to veterans across the country." apZme aims to reach a few hundred VA-credentialed clinics by the end of the year, significantly expanding access to veterans nationwide. The clinics partner with Millennium Sleep Lab, a nationwide provider of home sleep testing, to diagnose veterans from their homes. 

Allegiance Group, WeInfuse partner 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Allegiance Group’s COLLECTPlus program is now integrated with WeInfuse’s software system. The integration is designed to enhance patient engagement while improving cash recovery and operations for infusion providers, the companies say. “We see a tremendous opportunity in working with infusion providers using the WeInfuse software system to efficiently manage their patient billing and collection processes,” said Bruce Gehring, senior vice president of business development at Allegiance Group. “COLLECTPlus is integrated with WeInfuse, allowing providers to streamline their patient accounts receivable for any therapy they offer. Additionally, this integration empowers patients by providing flexible payment options that align with their financial capabilities.” The WeInfuse system, which was expanded to include a complete home infusion and specialty pharmacy workflow, powers more than 1,000 infusion centers across the country. The company says the integration with COLLECTPlus brings efficiency and expertise to those centers. “We are excited about our partnership with Allegiance Group and look forward to further enhancing our integration to meet the evolving needs of infusion providers in today’s complex healthcare landscape,” said Bryan Johnson, co-founder and CEO of WeInfuse.