In brief: Cardinal, Medtronic stand up Rx channels for diabetes
By HME News Staff
Updated 1:25 PM CST, Tue January 13, 2026
DUBLIN, Ohio – Cardinal Health has introduced ContinuCare Pathway, a pharmacy-to-supplier referral pathway program designed to help retail pharmacies seamlessly refer patients to Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions for the fulfillment and home delivery of diabetes supplies, including continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
“Providing diabetic supplies to patients covered under a medical benefit can create administrative burden on a pharmacy,” said Rob Schlissberg, president of Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions. “ContinuCare Pathway helps pharmacies and patients navigate complex insurance requirements so they can get back to what matters most – prioritizing care.”
Cardinal Health says a smaller version of the program originated at Advanced Diabetes Supply (ADS) and has since delivered scaled growth through continued integration efforts following the acquisition of ADS in 2025. Post-acquisition, the company says ADS has leveraged its access to brand-name home health supplies to triple its diabetes product offerings through the program with plans to expand to new product categories, including urology and ostomy.
ContinuCare Pathway in action
As a testament to the scalability and capacity created by Cardinal Health’s acquisition of ADS, the company shared that Southeast grocery chain, Publix Super Markets, a recent new customer of its Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions business, has enrolled its entire pharmacy network in ContinuCare Pathway, representing nearly 1,400 pharmacies.
“Pharmacies everywhere share our deep commitment to patient care,” Schlissberg said. “Those enrolled in ContinuCare Pathway recognize that home medical equipment (HME) providers like Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions are well-equipped to help these patients get the supplies they need in a timely, reliable way.”
How the program works
Once referred, ADS accepts the patient, verifies coverage and delivers essential products directly to patients, ensuring continuity of therapy without disruption. Patients referred to ADS automatically benefit from Cardinal Health’s at-Home Solutions supply chain – a nationwide distribution network that enables rapid home delivery of medical supplies. With the capability to reach the vast majority of covered lives nationwide, Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions can ship packages across the United States, with most deliveries typically arriving in under two days of shipment.
“ContinuCare Pathway helps ensure patients get uninterrupted access to their medically necessary devices and supplies,” said Michael Carmody, vice president, who leads the referral pathway program. “Designed specifically to fit neatly within pharmacy workflows to support continuity of care, patients get the right supplies when and where they need them – while pharmacies feel confident about referring their patients to a supplier that holds care, timeliness and compassion above all else.”
Who can join
ContinuCare Pathway is available to any pharmacy nationwide – from independent retail locations to retail, mass-merchandising and grocery chains. The program can fulfill orders for patients covered under Medicare Part B, and most commercial medical and Medicare Advantage plans.
Medtronic builds pharmacy channel for MiniMed insulin pump
MINNEAPOLIS – Medtronic Diabetes has expanded U.S. pharmacy formulary access for its MiniMed 780F insulin pump through agreements with major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and group purchasing organizations (GPOs), including Ascent and Zinc.
These agreements also include access to the company's expanded CGM portfolio – Simplera sensor, Simplera Sync sensor, and Instinct sensor, made by Abbott – and build on existing pharmacy coverage for Medtronic CGMs and consumables, such as infusion sets and reservoirs.
“Expanding pharmacy benefit coverage for the MiniMed 780G system is an important step forward in how people access automated insulin delivery,” said Que Dallara, EVP & president of Medtronic Diabetes. “Access through the pharmacy channel can help lower upfront costs compared to traditional durable medical equipment (DME) pathways and make it easier for people to get started on therapy. It also allows patients and care teams to better align pumps, sensors, and consumables under a single coverage pathway, supporting greater predictability when navigating access.”
Medtronics’ payer account team is actively collaborating with downstream health plans partnered with these PBMs to further expand coverage of the MiniMed 780G system under the pharmacy benefit. These access gains strengthen the company’s end-to-end access to Medtronic Diabetes technologies through the pharmacy channel, it says.
The company says to support a streamlined experience, providers can prescribe the MiniMed 780G system, and Medtronic Diabetes will continue to manage benefit investigation across both pharmacy and DME options. This established approach, it says, provides transparency into available coverage pathways and helps customers choose the options that best meets their needs.
New study backs virtual treatment pathway for CPAP alternative
LOS ANGELES – A new Cedars Sinai Physician Associated Study used the processes and care of Daybreak to evaluate a dentist-led, telehealth-guided treatment pathway that includes remote sleep testing, guided at-home capture of dental impressions, ongoing virtual titration, and follow-up. Researchers found the clinical outcomes were comparable to, or better than, traditional in-clinic mandibular advancement device studies, demonstrating effective dentist-directed virtual care without in-person visits. “What excites me most about this study is that it demonstrates that our treatment approach at Daybreak can expand access to care while maintaining the highest clinical standards,” says Daybreak Dental Director Dr. Peter Balacky. “By standardizing the process and guiding patients through treatment remotely, the study shows that telehealth-guided mandibular advancement therapy can achieve outcomes comparable to traditional care models.” Other highlights:
- Large, real-world patient population: The study included consecutive, unselected patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, reflecting real-world clinical practice.
- Effective at lower mandibular advancement: Patients saw improvement with as little as 1 to 2 mm of mandibular advancement – compared to approximately 5 mm in many previous studies – potentially supporting better tolerance and long-term adherence.
- Regulatory-aligned study design: Published findings focus on mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea, aligning with current FDA clearance.
To conduct the study, 200 patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea were treated using the Daybreak Device (a mandibular advancement device) within a standardized, telehealth-guided care system. Patients completed virtual evaluations, received a custom mandibular advancement device adjusted weekly through virtual check-ins, and underwent FDA-cleared home sleep testing before and after treatment, along with validated snoring assessments to measure outcomes.
Read the full study here.
Rhythm Healthcare enhances Rhythm Resolve program for replacements
NEW YORK – Rhythm Healthcare has announced significant enhancements to its Rhythm Resolve program, which provides brand new replacement units instead of repaired units. Rhythm Resolve 2.0 means, for qualifying DME providers, there is now no invoice or credit memo issued for the replacement unit, removing the administrative financial steps that caused delays and reconciliation issues, says Mitch Yoel, COO. “We heard our customers clearly: complexity creates unnecessary administrative cost and cashflow drag,” he said. “Rhythm Resolve 2.0 solves this by ensuring that the financial transaction is straightforward and immediate.” Rhythm Resolve 2.0 introduces a service level agreement (SLA) focused on accelerating replacement delivery, the company says:
- 48-hour case processing commitment: Rhythm Healthcare commits to creating the replacement unit order within 48 business hours of online submission for partners meeting standard program qualifications.
- Rapid shipment: Brand new replacement units ship out the same day if the replacement order is placed before 2 p.m. local warehouse time, or the next business day.
“Our commitment means quicker turnaround times, minimizing patient downtime, and ensuring our partners’ operations keep running smoothly,” Yoel said.
Rhythm Resolve 2.0 is effective immediately for all DME partners.
Henry Schein names new CEO
MELVILLE, N.Y. - Henry Schein has named Frederick M. Lowery as its new CEO effective March 2, 2026. He will also join the company’s board of directors at that time. Lowery succeeds Stanley M. Bergman, who will step down as CEO after 35 years but will continue to serve as chairman of the board to ensure a smooth and effective leadership transition. Lowery brings more than two decades of health care expertise to Henry Schein, with a strong track record of scaling complex businesses to drive significant growth and sustained value creation. Most recently, he served as executive vice president and president, Laboratory Products and BioProduction, at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “I am honored to join Henry Schein at such a pivotal moment,” Lowery said. “This is an organization with immense potential to impact clinicians and patients, given its remarkable reputation for innovation, customer service, and partnership. I look forward to working with Team Schein to build on the strong foundation established by Stan while accelerating value creation.” Prior to joining Thermo Fisher, Lowery worked in leadership roles for Maytag Corporation and General Motors. He holds a master’s degree in manufacturing management from Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute of Engineering and Management) and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Technological University.
Inogen expects single digit growth for Q4, full year 2025
GOLETA, Calif. - Inogen estimates preliminary, unaudited total revenue of about $82 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, representing year-over-year growth of about 2%. Full-year 2025 revenue is expected to be about $349 million, about 4% year-over-year growth, with positive adjusted EBITDA. “While fourth quarter results continued to reflect strong performance in our business-to-business channels, we experienced a shift in the timing of a few large customer orders into the first half of 2026,” said Kevin Smith, president and CEO. “Although this delay relative to expectations is disappointing, our full-year results continued to make meaningful progress in executing our business turnaround. Highlights for the full year include positive revenue growth, advancing toward profitability, and expanding the innovation pipeline with launches of the Voxi 5 stationary oxygen concentrator and Aurora Masks for obstructive sleep apnea patients in the U.S. The Inogen team remains confident in our ability to drive growth acceleration and profitability into 2026, and we look forward to sharing additional details and 2026 financial guidance during our February earnings call.” Inogen will host a conference call on Feb. 24 to discuss its Q4 financial results.
-
Related: Inogen adds ‘innovation’ to CPAP market.
Walmart launches Better Care Services to simplify wellness
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Walmart has launched Better Care Services, a one-stop digital destination that it says allows users to access a curated network of third-party providers for urgent care and behavioral health. It also allows users to access LillyDirect for direct-to-consumer pricing for Zepbound. “We know that when heath care feels hard, many people don’t get the care they need. We can fix that,” said Kevin Host, senior vice president, health and wellness, pharmacy. “Better Care Services is about making wellness simple and affordable to fit into your life; we’re removing barriers so more people can get the care they deserve, right when they need it.” Once a same-day consultation is complete, Walmart says its flexible pickup and delivery options, including free delivery for Walmart+ members, help customers get their prescriptions and over-the-counter needs through a health journey that starts and ends at Walmart. Better Care Services also features Walmart’s Nutrition Hub, powered by its Everyday Health Signals, an opt-in, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven experience that it says delivers personalized food and recipe recommendations to support healthier, budget-friendly choices.
Rush, Amazon One Medical partner on primary & specialty care
CHICAGO – Rush, one of Chicago’s leading academic medical health systems, and Amazon One Medical will collaborate to deliver seamless primary and specialty care in the city, Rush has announced. One Medical currently operates multiple primary care offices throughout the Chicago area. “We are committed to providing exceptional patient-centered care that meets people where they are, when they need it, through innovative, technology-driven solutions,” says Kate Jones, senior vice president and chief strategy officer of Rush. “Collaborating with Amazon One Medical means reaching more patients throughout the Chicago area with primary care and a seamless connection to our comprehensive specialty care network, while continuing our strong commitment to clinical excellence and the best health outcomes.” One Medical also works with more than 10,000 employers across all sizes and industries throughout the U.S. who sponsor membership fees as a benefit for their employees and their dependents. One Medical has offices in more than 20 U.S. regions, making it easy for patients to maintain their health when traveling for work or leisure, it says. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Rush to offer seamless coordinated care across primary and specialty settings to help deliver the highest levels of health, care, and value,” said Helen Xenos, MD, Amazon One Medical Chicago district medical director. “Partnering with Rush further advances One Medical's mission of transforming health care to improve the patient care experience in the Chicago area.”
Fix My Oxygen expands repair service nationwide
LAS VEGAS – Fix My Oxygen, a Las Vegas-based respiratory equipment repair service center, is now accepting shipped in units from across the United States. The company's goal: to help patients, caregivers, home health teams and HME providers reduce equipment downtime when local repair options are limited. "Oxygen therapy depends on equipment that must work day after day," said a representative for Fix My Oxygen. "When a concentrator fails, it can disrupt routines, travel, and care plans. Our nationwide repair process is designed to be clear and supportive, so people can get back to reliable oxygen service as quickly as possible." In addition to patient-direct repairs, Fix My Oxygen says it supports provider and dealer workflows that require consistent repair turnaround and transparent communication. The company handles repair categories beyond oxygen concentrators, including CPAP and BiPAP devices and other home respiratory equipment, allowing organizations to consolidate service needs with one repair partner when appropriate, it says.
WVU Medicine taps Sherry Kesler to lead home health, hospice, HME
MORGANTOWN, West Va. - Sherry Kesler, MBA, BSN, has been named vice president of post-acute services at WVU Medicine, overseeing home health, hospice and home medical equipment. Kesler brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to WVU Medicine, most recently at Sentara Healthcare, an integrated delivery and finance system headquartered in Virginia. Prior to that, she worked at Medical Services of America, where she served as a regional administrator for more than six years. “We look forward to Sherry’s leadership and the positive impact she will bring to our organization and the communities we serve,” said Carrie Willetts, M.S.H.A, chief administrative officer of the WVU Health System. “Her expertise in multi-site operations, population health strategy, and building collaborative partnerships will be invaluable as we continue to advance our post-acute service offerings.” WVU Medicine says Kesler has a proven track record in strategic expansion, operational turnarounds, regulatory compliance and innovative care models, such as hospital at home and remote patient monitoring. She is passionate about quality improvement, developing leaders, and aligning clinical excellence with financial sustainability, it says.
Senseonics announces first patients using integrated twiist AID system, Eversense 365 CGM
GERMANTOWN, Md. - Senseonics and Sequel MedTech have launched the integration of their products with the first patients receiving a Sequel twiist automated insulin delivery (AID) system paired with the implantable Eversense 365 continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The companies say pairing twiist with Eversense 365 is the first time the world’s only one year CGM system has been integrated with an AID, representing a major milestone in holistic, long-term diabetes management by reducing the need for regular sensor changes and re-pairing, while maintaining exceptional accuracy. “While our technologies are unique, our goal is the same - to improve lives and reduce complexity for patients living with diabetes,” said Tim Goodnow, president and CEO of Senseonics. “We are proud to partner with Sequel and provide the necessary glucose monitoring data to power the twiist Loop algorithm, which enables real-time insulin delivery decisions through the twiist pump. Patients and providers want reliable, long-term automated glucose readings and we’ve taken a major step forward in simplifying and personalizing diabetes management by integrating Eversense 365’s One Year CGM system with the twiist AID system for patients that require insulin.” Broad availability of twiist with Eversense 365 is expected by March 2026. For more information on availability please visit https://www.eversensecgm.com/partners/ or visit.twiist.com/eversense365.
Fraud round up: Brace fraud schemes in Oklahoma, Florida
Oklahoma DME owner indicted in $30M fraud scheme: An Oklahoma chiropractor and owner of Back Pain Home Supplies LLC, doing business as EZ Medical Supply, has been indicted for allegedly orchestrating a $30 million health care fraud scheme. Prosecutors say Mark Loftis paid kickbacks for patient referrals and submitted false claims to Medicare, TRICARE and CHAMPVA for unnecessary orthotic braces and other equipment, resulting in about $8 million in improper payments. Loftis also allegedly misused more than $133,000 in CARES Act funds. He faces charges that include conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud, kickback violations and theft of government property, carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years.
Two executives convicted in $34M Medicare Advantage fraud: A Miami federal jury has convicted two health care executives for exploiting elderly Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in a $34 million fraud scheme. Michael Kochen, 42, and Sandro Herek, 56, used overseas call centers to pressure seniors into accepting unnecessary orthopedic braces, leading to more than $17 million in false claims. Both were found guilty of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud, health care fraud and kickback violations. They face up to 20 years for conspiracy and 10 years per fraud count. Sentencing is scheduled for March 25.
Comments