In brief: Bid fight’s next phase, Numotion’s LMN Navigator, Apple’s new sleep feature 

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has budgeted more than $3 million for a campaign to address the restart of the competitive bidding program. 

The association will draw the funds for the campaign from its reserves and new fundraising efforts. Already, VGM and 21 other AAHomecare members have pledged more than $750,000. AAHomecare will expand solicitation efforts in the coming weeks. 

“If the bidding program starts up again using the flawed framework and expanded product mix from the proposed rule, the impact on our industry could be felt for a decade or more,” the association stated in a bulletin.  “We look forward to working with you to make sure the administration fully understands the stakes for our industry and the potential impacts throughout the health care infrastructure."  

AAHomecare has also ramped up outreach efforts. Earlier this week, Josh Marx, Tom Ryan and Jay Witter met with Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill to discuss industry concerns with provisions from the proposed rule and secure a follow-up meeting with other CMS staff. 

“We have engaged additional lobbying with strong connections to the administration that can enable us to reach top-level decision makers on this issue,” AAHomecare stated in the bulletin. “The campaign will be focused on delivering a powerful message to the most influential voices in the White House, CMS, the Office of Management & Budget (OMB), and other important parties in this process.”   

The comment period on the final rule closed Aug. 29. 

See resources and information about the second phase of the CBP campaign at aahomecare.org/CBP-Advocacy. 

• Related: CMS signals potential big changes to bid program & Stakeholders react to return of competitive bidding 

Numotion launches platform to streamline mobility evaluation process 

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Numotion has launched LMN Navigator, a documentation platform designed to streamline, simplify and strengthen the process of completing mobility evaluations. The company says the platform will also allow therapists, ATPs and care teams to collaborate while ensuring compliance with industry standards. 

“Documentation for mobility evaluations has historically been tedious, fragmented and prone to errors,” said John Pryles, chief commercial & operations officer. “With LMN Navigator, we’re giving therapists and ATPs a tool that not only simplifies the process but also enhances collaboration and ensures compliance, ultimately helping customers get the mobility solutions they need faster.” 

Key features and benefits of the platform: 

• Simplicity – Offers smart question/answer logic that displays only relevant fields, integrates directly with Numotion data to prefill customer information and automatically routes documents to orders. 
• Collaboration – Enables therapists to securely and compliantly collaborate with ATPs across multiple sections of the assessment and eliminates the need for faxing by incorporating electronic signatures and automatic document routing. 
• Compliance – Proactively flags documentation conflicts or potential denials to help ensure accurate, defensible clinical documentation; helps safeguard therapists and ATPs from compliance risks; and populates an industry-standard mobility evaluation template authored by the clinician. 

 LMN Navigator is designed for: 

• Therapists with limited experience in completing mobility evaluations 
• Clinicians seeking a compliant way to collaborate on documentation with supplier ATPs 
• Those who typically use third-party systems or write narrative-style LMNs 
• Providers across multiple care settings, including home health, outpatient, private practice, skilled nursing and telehealth 

“LMN Navigator is another example of how Numotion continues to invest in tools and technology that improve the customer experience and reduce barriers in accessing critical equipment,” said Justin Peterfish, vice president of sales operations. 

Apple expands health insights with Apple Watch Series 11 

CUPERTINO, Calif. - The recently released Apple Watch Series 11 includes notifications for signs of chronic high blood pressure and new insights into sleep quality, Apple has announced.  

Hypertension 

How it works: Hypertension notifications on Apple Watch use data from the optical heart sensor to analyze how a user’s blood vessels respond to the beats of the heart. The algorithm works passively in the background reviewing data over 30-day periods and notifies users if it detects consistent signs of hypertension.  

How it was developed: The feature was developed with advanced machine learning and training data from multiple studies totaling more than 100,000 participants. Its performance was then validated in a clinical study of more than 2,000 participants. 

The impact: While hypertension notifications will not detect all instances of hypertension, with the reach of Apple Watch, the feature is expected to notify more than 1 million people with undiagnosed hypertension within the first year. 

Sleep quality 

How it works: Sleep quality is influenced by several factors, such as duration, bedtime consistency, how often a person wakes up, and how much time is spent in each sleep stage. With sleep score, Apple Watch helps track each of these categories to assign transparent and easy-to-understand metrics for a user’s overall sleep quality. After each night, sleep score provides an overall score and classification in the Sleep app on Apple Watch, plus a clear breakdown of the most critical components, so users know what to prioritize to improve their sleep.  

How it was developed: The scoring approach and prioritization algorithm of sleep score is informed by the latest guidance published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, National Sleep Foundation, and World Sleep Society. More than 5 million nights of sleep data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study were used to develop and test the scoring algorithms. 

The impact: Apple Watch’s sensors capture data during sleep like heart rate, wrist temperature, blood oxygen and respiratory rate, and even discover possible sleep apnea. Now, with watchOS 26, Apple Watch can help users understand the quality of their sleep and how to make it more restorative with a new sleep score feature. 

CMS issues guidance to states on Medicaid managed care changes 

WASHINGTON – CMS is issuing preliminary guidance to states on the implementation of new federal payment limits for state directed payments (SDPs) in Medicaid managed care.  

CMS has yet to release a final rule, but by providing this guidance now, the agency says states have additional time to plan their efforts to meet the requirements laid out in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The letter provides states with information on the reduced payment, details on eligibility for a temporary grandfather period and additional next steps.  

“Medicaid is a federal and state partnership and for years states have skirted their responsibilities to draw down more federal funds while contributing less state dollars,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will hold states accountable and make sure the federal government isn’t left to pick up the tab.” 

Under Medicaid managed care, states can direct how managed care plans pay providers through SDPs. CMS says these arrangements originally were not widespread, but they have ballooned in recent years. While only two states used them in 2016, 39 states use them today, and the agency projects that annual SDP spending will exceed $124.3 billion for FY 2025 and $144.6 billion for FY 2026. 

By implementing the new required safeguards effective for rating periods beginning on or after July 4, 2025, CMS says it aims to ensure Medicaid resources are directed appropriately to strengthen program integrity and protect patient care. 

The letter to states provides key program elements and preliminary guidance on section 71116: 

• Payment limits: Beginning with rating periods on or after July 4, 2025, SDPs for inpatient hospital services, outpatient hospital services, nursing facility services and qualified practitioner services at an academic medical center must not exceed 100% of Medicare rates in Medicaid expansion states, or 110% of Medicare rates in non-expansion states. In the absence of a Medicare rate, the Medicaid state plan rate applies. 
• Grandfathering period: Certain eligible SDPs submitted or approved before July 4, 2025, may qualify for temporary grandfathering until rating periods beginning Jan. 1, 2028, followed by a phased reduction until they meet the new payment limits. 
• Next steps for states: States must revise any pending or future SDP preprints that do not qualify for grandfathering to comply with Section 71116 before CMS will continue review. For applicable SDPs that are currently under review by CMS, CMS will notify states of whether an SDP likely qualifies for grandfathering in our approval letters for the SDP once CMS has completed its review. 

FMI: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/managed-care/guidance/state-directed-payments 

AAHomecare launches resources to highlight role of DME suppliers in CGM access 

ARLINGTON, Va. – AAHomecare has developed new turnkey resources to help diabetes-focused suppliers demonstrate the value of prescribing CGM therapy through the DME channel.  

As CMS has expanded coverage of CGMs and supplies, some payers have begun making it a pharmacy-only benefit, limiting brand choices and narrowing networks. These resources are designed to support conversations with referral sources and certified diabetes educators, reinforcing the critical role of DME suppliers in improving access, support and adherence.  

“These resources give suppliers a professional, consistent way to engage with clinicians and show them that DME suppliers are more than product providers – we’re partners in patient success,” said Linda Langiotti, SVP strategic channels at CCS Medical and chair of AAHomecare’s Diabetes Council. “Starting a new therapy is challenging for many patients. It’s critical that clinicians understand the difference DME suppliers make helping patients thrive on their CGM therapy.” 

The new resources are tailored to two key audiences:  

• Referral sources (endocrinologists and primary care physicians) – Highlights how partnering with suppliers reduce office burden, streamline referrals, and provide stronger onboarding and ongoing support. 
• Certified diabetes educators – Emphasizes how suppliers reinforce training, ensuring continuity of therapy and providing real-world support that empowers end users to succeed with CGM therapy. 

Recent data reinforces the value of the DME channel, stakeholders say: People with diabetes served by DME suppliers demonstrated higher adherence rates and better continuity of care compared to those accessing through other channels, according to this study. Additionally, 73% of endocrinologists reported preferring DME suppliers over other distribution models because of the superior support provided to end users.  

“These resources help the HME community show clinicians and educators how DME suppliers provide specialized support, helping ensure people with diabetes achieve the best outcomes while highlighting the importance of preserving the DME channel,” said David Chandler, vice president, payer relations at AAHomecare. “By reinforcing the value of supplier-led care at the practice level, they also strengthen our ongoing advocacy to protect access to CGM therapy through suppliers.” 

Access the resources here. 

• Related: Stakeholders push two-channel option for CGMs 

Max Mobility/Permobil expands recall of SpeedControl Dial for SmartDrive MX2+ 

LEBANON, Tenn. – Max Mobility/Permobil has voluntarily expanded its recall of the SpeedControl Dial, a wired control option for the SmartDrive MX2+ Power Assist Device, due to safety and performance concerns. This expanded recall now includes all SpeedControl Dials manufactured and distributed between April 25, 2022, and July 8, 2025. 

Background and prior recalls 

The original Class I recall (Z-1116-2025, Z-1117-2025, RES #96086) was initiated on Dec. 20, 2024, targeting SpeedControl Dials with a material change in the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) produced between Aug. 17, 2023, and Nov. 21, 2024. It was expanded on March 28, 2025, to include units manufactured through March 10, 2025. Max Mobility/Permobil received 781 complaints related to the PCBA design, including five reports of serious injuries such as fractures and a concussion. 

This latest recall supersedes all previous actions and includes all SpeedControl Dials in circulation, including replacements issued under earlier recalls. 

Reason for expanded recall 

Ongoing complaint monitoring and investigation revealed a design flaw present since the product’s launch in April 2022. The flaw may cause intermittent electrical connections between the SpeedControl Dial and the SmartDrive MX2+ motor, leading to two key performance issues: 

• Continued drive: The motor may fail to stop when the dial is pressed inward. 
• Involuntary dmMovement: The motor may activate unintentionally while the dial is in the zero position and flashing in standby mode. 

Max Mobility/Permobil has identified 54 complaints potentially linked to this issue, including two serious injuries involving bone fractures. 

Health risks 

Users may experience continued drive or involuntary movement, which can result in minor injuries (cuts, bruises, soreness) or serious injuries (fractures) depending on speed and circumstances. There is also a risk to individuals nearby, as the powered wheelchair could unintentionally bump into or run over another person. 

Affected products 

All SpeedControl Dials are affected by this recall. Specific part numbers are: MX2-3DCK, MX2-3DC and MX2-3DCMC. 

Visit the website for additional instructions.  

AAHomecare seeks AHCAH waiver extension 

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has joined a group of 140 health care groups asking Congress to extend the Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) waiver program, a critical initiative for Medicare beneficiaries, for an additional five-year term. The letter to congressional leadership highlights the program’s success in improving outcomes and lowering costs, while also emphasizing the patient preference for home-based care. “Americans want home to be the center of their health,” the letter states. “Federal flexibilities, such as the AHCAH waiver, allowed hospitals to do just that. Extending the waiver again is not just a policy choice; it's a critical step toward transforming how care is delivered in this country, creating an important option for patients, caregivers, and providers.” See the full letter here, along with a related summary of evidence supporting the Hospital at Home model. 

Mount Sinai receives NIH grant for AI tool for OSA 

NEW YORK – The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has been awarded a $3.32 million, four-year grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study a new artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool that has the potential to predict cardiovascular event risk and treatment response among individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The findings from this study could help clinicians make more informed recommendations about OSA treatment for their patients. The primary tool for assessing OSA severity is the apnea-hypopnea index, which counts the incidents when an individual stops breathing and the periods when their breathing is shallow due to blockage of the airways. However, the tool does not accurately predict cardiovascular disease risk, and reducing a patient’s apnea-hypopnea index through continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy—the primary treatment for OSA—does not always result in benefits. “There is no reliable tool for physicians to assess which sleep apnea patients are at highest risk for cardiovascular events, or which patients are likely to respond to, or even be harmed by, CPAP therapy,” said Girish N. Nadkarni, MD, MPH, chair of the Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, director of the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health, and Irene and Dr. Arthur M. Fishberg Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and chief AI officer for the Mount Sinai Health System. “That makes it difficult to determine which individuals should be escalated for treatment.” The AI-based predictive tool was developed using data from epidemiology studies involving individuals who had and did not have an OSA diagnosis. The tool uses a technique known as transformer-based neural networks, or transformers, to analyze data from polysomnograms—sleep studies that collect data based on up to 20 parameters, including heart rate, muscle movements, and brain activity. The volume and complexity of the data gathered during these tests is such that these parameters have often been assessed in isolation in making decisions about CPAP therapy among OSA patients.  

KabaFusion, Tennr strengthen referral management process 

NEW YORK – KabaFusion and Tennr have announced a strategic partnership that they say will further streamline care coordination, drive operational efficiencies and improve patient outcomes through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The partnership will leverage Tennr’s advanced automation and data-driven insights to strengthen KabaFusion’s referral management processes, eliminating delays in patient onboarding and enhancing patient experience, the companies say. "Our North star has always been to reduce patient care delays across the U.S.," said Trey Holterman, CEO at Tennr. "It's always refreshing when a partner as well-known as KabaFusion is aligned on the goal of delivering the fastest patient care possible and preventing patients from slipping through the cracks." As a result of the partnership, KabaFusion’s clinicians will be able to devote more time to direct patient care and less time navigating administrative bottlenecks that delay treatment, the companies say. This means patients will receive timely, consistent, high-quality care across the company's rapidly growing national network of home infusion pharmacies, alternative infusion sites and home health agencies. "At KabaFusion, clinical excellence and human compassion have always been at the heart of our operations," said Tina Benkendorfer, PharmD, chief operating officer & chief compliance officer, KabaFusion. "By integrating Tennr's advanced technology, we are reducing the administrative burden on our clinical teams and enhancing our ability to deliver timely, high-quality care so that our clinicians can focus on what matters most—the health and wellbeing of our patients." 

• Related: Earlier this year, KabaFusion closed on the acquisition of six locations from Coram that will serve as pharmacies and ambulatory infusion suites. 

Henry Schein authorizes repurchase of up to $750M in stock 

MELVILLE, N.Y. – Henry Schein’s board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $750 million of shares of the company's common stock. This program is in addition to the $500 million repurchase program announced in January 2025, which is anticipated to be fully executed by the end of the first quarter of 2026. Henry Schein had approximately 118.6 million shares outstanding as of Sept. 8, 2025. This new authorization represents approximately 9% of shares outstanding at the current stock price. Purchases may be made from time to time in the open market, or through negotiated transactions. “Henry Schein’s decision to repurchase shares reflects the confidence we have in our 2025–27 BOLD+1 Strategic Plan and its potential to deliver sustainable growth and value,” said Ronald N. South, senior vice president and CFO. “With the support of a strong balance sheet, we are well positioned to serve our markets and further expand the depth and reach of our health care solutions.”