Home Article In brief: Bid calculators & readiness, Tactile settlement, CPAP study

In brief: Bid calculators & readiness, Tactile settlement, CPAP study

In brief: Bid calculators & readiness, Tactile settlement, CPAP study

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By HME News Staff

Updated 9:34 AM CDT, Fri July 17, 2026

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has created competitive bidding calculators designed to help HME providers better understand the financial impact of submitting bids for the next round of Medicare’s competitive bidding program.

The calculators are based on those previously released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), with several enhancements intended to make them more practical and informative, the association says.

Key features of the calculators include:

  • Bid limit to prevent users from entering bids above the bid limit set by CMS.
  • Highlighted top non-lead item HCPCS codes based on the annual Medicare allowed amount.
  • Cost column that allows suppliers to enter their estimated cost for each HCPCS code and evaluate how different bid scenarios may affect profitability.
  • Potential impact on rates for Medicaid programs and other payers if their rates are derived from Medicare payment amounts.

Along with the bid calculators, AAHomecare provided several disclaimers:

  • The calculators are intended as educational and planning tools.
  • They are not intended to illustrate the potential impact of a bid amount.
  • They also do not predict whether a bid will be selected or what the final single payment amount will be.

The association reminds providers that CMS will be setting the payment amounts based on the 75th percentile of winning bids – meaning the payment amounts will depend on the bids submitted by all winning providers.

To access the calculators:

CMS publishes ‘get ready’ message on licensure, accreditation

WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website on July 15 with a reminder to get licensed and accredited.

Step 1: Get licensed

The agency noted that all locations on a bid must collectively have current, non-expired state/territory licenses in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) by the close of the bid window, which will open later this year.

To stay on track CMS says to:

  • Make sure your CMS-855S Medicare Enrollment Application is up to date with your Medicare Enrollment Contractor (National Provider Enrollment (NPE) Eastern Region DMEPOS contractor (NPEAST) or NPE Western Region DMEPOS contractor (NPWEST)).
  • Review the DMEPOS State Licensure Databases on the Medicare Enrollment Contractors’ websites to confirm which licenses are required for your product category(s):
  • Verify that all applicable licenses are reflected in PECOS for every location included on your bid.

“If a license is current but could expire before the bid window closes, you must renew it and have the updated dates entered in PECOS before the close of the bid window,” CMS states.

Step 2: Get accredited

Each location on your bid must be accredited by a CMS-approved accrediting organization for all lead and non-lead items in the product category you are bidding by the close of the bid window. Key points to know:

  • CMS cannot award contracts to bidders that do not meet accreditation requirements.
  • Accreditation exemptions do not apply to the DMEPOS CBP. All pharmacies must be accredited to be eligible, regardless of any general exemptions (e.g., Section 3109 of the Affordable Care Act).
  • A list of CMS-approved DMEPOS accreditation organizations is available on the CMS website.

“If your locations are not yet accredited, take action immediately, as accreditation can take time to process and must be reflected in PECOS before the bid window closes,” the agency states.

Reminder: Moratorium

CMS also included a reminder about the six-month temporary moratorium on new provider enrollments, effective Feb. 27, 2026.

“If you are within the scope of the moratorium and need to enroll a new supplier location to bid in Round 2028 of the DMEPOS CBP, the time to prepare is now,” the agency stated. “To position yourself for success, you should have your completed enrollment application ready to submit as soon as the moratorium period concludes. Ideally, aim to submit within one week of the moratorium's end date to provide your Medicare Enrollment Contractor sufficient time to process your application before the DMEPOS CBP Round 2028 bid window opens.”

Wayne Grau to retire as NCART executive director

WASHINGTON – NCART Executive Director Wayne Grau will retire at the end of the year, the organization has announced. “Serving as executive director of NCART has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,” Grau said. “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together over the past several years on behalf of our members and the complex rehab technology community.” Grau has worked with the NCART Executive Committee to develop a transition plan and the committee has begun the process of identifying the organization’s next executive director. NCART says it will provide additional updates to members as the search progresses. Grau credits NCART’s board, committees, members, industry partners and advocates for the organization’s progress in improving access to complex rehab technology. “I am deeply grateful to have been a part of NCART and the broader CRT industry,” he said. “I have complete confidence in the transition plan that has been developed and know the organization is well positioned for continued growth and success under its next executive director.”

Tactile to pay $550K to resolve false claims allegations

BOSTON – Tactile Systems Technology has agreed to pay $550,959 to resolve allegations that it submitted false Medicare claims for medically unnecessary pneumatic compression devices, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. Tactile markets the Entre and Flexitouch devices for patients with lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency. Medicare covers pneumatic compression devices only after a patient fails to receive adequate relief following four weeks of conservative therapy, including basic compression, and the prescribing clinician documents that failure. The government alleges that, between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2024, certain Tactile sales personnel fabricated or altered medical records and other clinical documentation used to support Medicare claims. According to the settlement, some sales personnel inserted false statements indicating that patients had not improved with basic compression therapy or forged clinicians’ signatures to make it appear that the Entre or Flexitouch devices had been prescribed. In other cases, records were allegedly changed to state that patients did not experience a significant reduction in swelling after using the Entre and therefore required the more expensive Flexitouch device. Tactile terminated many of the employees involved after learning of the conduct. The allegations were brought under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which allows private parties to sue on behalf of the government and share in any recovery. The relators will receive $129,475 from settlement proceeds.

Study links untreated OSA to faster cognitive decline

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Older adults with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experienced faster cognitive decline over 10 years than those treated with CPAP, according to a study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Researchers analyzed 777 participants from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study who had at least one Medicare claim for OSA and no cognitive impairment at baseline. CPAP treatment was defined as having one or more CPAP claims. The researchers tracked cognitive performance from 2011 through 2021 using annual assessments and compared changes between participants who received CPAP treatment and those who did not. Cognitive performance declined in both groups over the follow-up period. Participants treated with CPAP declined by 0.03 standard deviation units per year, while untreated participants experienced a 69% faster rate of decline. The findings suggest that CPAP therapy may help slow cognitive decline in older adults with OSA. The researchers noted that earlier studies have found limited short-term cognitive benefits from CPAP treatment. However, cognitive decline develops gradually, and studies with shorter follow-up periods may not capture subtle changes that emerge over several years. The researchers noted that untreated OSA has previously been associated with a higher risk of dementia and cited several possible mechanisms, including inflammation, oxidative stress, intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation. The study authors said the findings support the need for longer-term research on the relationship between OSA treatment and cognitive health. The study was led by Christopher N. Kaufmann and approved by the University of Florida Institutional Review Board, with reliance agreements at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

ISS calls for abstracts for complex rehab technology event

PITTSBURGH – The International Seating Symposium (ISS) will open the abstract submission portal on July 22. The 40th ISS, hosted by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences,  is scheduled for March 31-April 2 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. “We are seeking quality presentations for ISS 2027,” ISS stated. “This is your opportunity to present your hard work to thousands of attendees at the world’s largest academic conference on wheelchair seating, mobility and associated assistive technologies.” The deadline for submitting abstracts is Sept. 24. ISS has already opened exhibitor booth registration. It plans to open attendee registration in the fall.

Lifeway Mobility featured on World’s Greatest TV show

HARTFORD, Conn. – Lifeway Mobility has been featured on the World’s Greatest TV show. Lifeway Mobility says that following an extensive interview and research process, the show’s team selected the company to be featured based on its reputation, customer reviews, industry expertise and commitment to helping people live safely and independently at home. “There are no media buys and no sponsorship participations or production fees required to be on our show,” World’s Greatest states. “It is earned media.” The World’s Greatest TV show airs Saturdays at 2 p.m. Eastern on Bloomberg TV. The episode that featured Lifeway Mobility aired live on July 4 and July 11.

Infusion for Health expands home infusion division, adds Rigas

BREA, Calif. – Infusion for Health is continuing to expand its home infusion division, adding industry veteran Michael Rigas, Pharm.D., FNHIA, to help guide its next phase of growth. The company says it is investing in additional clinical expertise, operational capabilities and geographic expansion to further strengthen its home infusion offerings. "As we continue expanding our home infusion footprint, we are intentionally building a team with deep expertise and a shared commitment to clinical excellence," said Jeffrey Shore, senior vice president of operations at Infusion for Health. "Michael's experience and vision have helped shape the industry, and his guidance will be invaluable as we continue expanding access for patients and providers." Rigas brings more than 40 years of experience in home infusion and specialty pharmacy. He previously served as co-founder, principal and chief clinical officer of KabaFusion and has also held executive leadership roles at Apria Healthcare, Crescent HealthCare, VITALine CareSite Pharmacy Services and Geisinger Health System. A fellow of the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA), Rigas is recognized for his expertise in immunoglobulin therapy, clinical operations and patient outcomes. “The future of infusion care is about providing patients and providers with options while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality and service,” Rigas said. Infusion for Health operates a network of ambulatory infusion centers across the Western United States. The company says the continued expansion of its home infusion division will support a broader site-of-care model and increase access to specialty therapies across multiple markets.

AcuityMD: Device sales reps who use AI are more likely to meet quotas

BOSTON – Medical device sales representatives who use artificial intelligence (AI) at work are three times more likely to meet or exceed quotas than those who do not, according to a new survey from AcuityMD, an AI platform for medtech companies. The report, “AI Adoption in MedTech Sales: 2026 Industry Benchmarks and Trends,” surveyed 150 sales representatives working across capital equipment, durable medical equipment and surgical product sales. Only 36% of respondents reported using AI regularly or occasionally in their day-to-day work, but those who did reported stronger results. Among AI users, 92% said the technology saved them at least four hours per week. “The real opportunity in AI is not just efficiency, it is also about making better decisions – for example, which accounts to prioritize, which opportunities to pursue, how to prepare for a conversation that will move a relationship forward,” said Lee Smith, co-founder and vice president of customer experience at AcuityMD. Most representatives, however, are using AI primarily for administrative tasks, including drafting emails, organizing tasks and generating meeting summaries. Only 11% said they use AI to uncover insights they would not otherwise have discovered, while 19% use it for strategic account research. The survey also found that 69% of respondents use only general-purpose AI tools, such as ChatGPT. Representatives who met or exceeded quotas were more than twice as likely to have access to company-provided AI tools than those who missed quota. AcuityMD says industry-specific tools may provide the data and context needed to support account prioritization, provider discovery and other higher-value sales activities.

Aeroflow Sleep donates to Beds for Kids, Project Sleep

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Aeroflow Sleep has donated to Beds for Kids and Project Sleep to support access to essential furniture and sleep health education. The donation to Beds for Kids, which provides essential furniture to families in need, will fund a new box truck to increase furniture deliveries to families transitioning out of homelessness and those in low-income households. “At Aeroflow, we believe quality sleep should never be out of reach,” said Joey Sasvari, vice president of Aeroflow Sleep. “It is a basic human need, and too many people face unnecessary barriers to getting the care and support they deserve.” Aeroflow Sleep also donated to Project Sleep to support public education on healthy sleep and close the gaps between sleep health, sleep equity and sleep disorders. The donations were made through Aeroflow Cares, Aeroflow Health’s community outreach initiative, which focuses on social and economic barriers affecting the communities the company serves. “That is why partnerships like these matter,” Sasvari said. “They allow us to meet people where they are, expand access to life’s essentials, and continue raising the standard for what equitable care can look like.”

Dexcom G7 15 Day receives Health Canada authorization

BURNABY, British Columbia – Health Canada has authorized the Dexcom G7 15 Day Continuous Glucose Monitoring System for adults with diabetes. The system provides real-time glucose readings for up to 15.5 days, including a 12-hour grace period for replacing a finished sensor. Dexcom says the extended wear time will reduce the number of monthly sensor changes and the amount of related waste. “Small improvements can make a meaningful difference for people living with diabetes,” said André Côté, vice president and general manager of Dexcom Canada. “Dexcom G7 15 Day reflects our ongoing commitment to simpler, more seamless diabetes management.” While authorized by Health Canada, Dexcom G7 15 Day is not yet available for purchase in Canada.

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