In brief: CMS puts Elevance Health on notice, Trace names Mark Farmer president, Next Day Access marks triple-digit growth
By HME News Staff
Updated 1:43 PM CST, Tue March 3, 2026
WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will suspend Elevance Health’s ability to enroll people in its Medicare Advantage plans if the insurer doesn’t comply with risk adjustment data submission requirements.
In a Feb. 27 letter to Elevance, CMS said sanctions would begin March 31 for Elevance’s “pattern of knowing noncompliance.”
In its letter, CMS states: Since November 13, 2018, Elevance has failed to submit data corrections for diagnosis codes it identified as unsupported by medical record documentation through CMS's required electronic systems. Instead, Elevance has repeatedly provided this information via encrypted external USB flash drives, a method that CMS has explicitly rejected.
Despite repeated clear directives from CMS that encrypted files do not satisfy regulatory obligations, Elevance continued this practice as recently as October 10, 2025.
In a Form 8-K filing March 2, the company said it is engaging with CMS regarding the matter and is committed to working with CMS to address its concerns.
Trace Medical names Mark Farmer as president
WHITMORE LAKE, Mich. - Trace Medical has appointed Mark Farmer as company president reporting directly to CEO Greg Apostolou. In his role, Farmer will oversee the company’s commercial operations, information technology and service operations functions, further integrating growth strategy, technology infrastructure and field execution across the organization. “We are very pleased to welcome Mark to Trace Medical,” Apostolou said. “He brings a rare combination of strategic perspective, operational discipline and deep familiarity with the regulatory and transactional environments that shape our industry. As we continue expanding our rental and service platforms, Mark's leadership will ensure we scale with rigor and purpose." Prior to joining Trace Medical, Farmer spent nearly two decades advising health care, life sciences, manufacturing and technology-driven organizations through complex growth initiatives, operational alignment and strategic transactions. He most recently served as chair of his law firm’s Corporate & Securities Service Team and as a member of its Executive Committee, where he earned a national reputation for clarity, responsiveness and results. “Trace Medical has built an outstanding reputation for integrity and operational excellence in some of the most demanding care environments,” Farmer said. “I am honored to join the team and look forward to partnering with our employees, customers, and manufacturers to support sustainable growth and continued innovation in home dialysis.”
Bleep names technology expert to board
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Bleep LLC, maker of the Eclipse mask-less CPAP solution, has announced that Tom Beckley has joined the company's board of directors. Beckley is senior vice president of strategic technology programs at Cadence helping drive AI-enabled electronics and electro-mechanical development. Beckley has also held roles as head of the systems division at Avant! Corporation, president and CEO of Xynetix, and held engineering and management positions at L3Harris Technologies and General Motors. "Bleep is entering a rapid growth phase enabled by our 510K cleared to market CPAP mask, DreamPort, and subsequent Eclipse offering, which consistently ranks as the world's leading data analytically driven CPAP mask solution according to SleepHQ.com and independent studies funded through an NIH grant,” said Stuart Heatherington, Bleep founder and CEO. “As an angel investor, Tom informally provided guidance on our direct-to-consumer marketing (including Amazon), distribution, production, funding, organizational design and more. As a board member, Tom's involvement will have far more impact."
Next Day Access surpasses more than 100 territories
TROY, Mich. – Next Day Access, a leading provider of accessibility and mobility solutions for residential and commercial customers, is entering 2026 with more than 100 territories open across the U.S., serving thousands of clients in 34 states and Canada. This triple-digit growth marks a significant moment in the brand’s growth and positions the company to meet increasing demand driven by the nation’s aging population. “This milestone represents not just the exceptional growth of our brand, but the lives being made safer and more accessible every day,” said Michele Popelka, brand president of Next Day Access. “Surpassing 100 territories is a testament to the dedication of our franchise owners, the trust of the communities we serve and our shared mission to help people live with greater confidence, dignity and independence.” Founded in 2010 and later franchised in 2012, Next Day Access has grown alongside a demographic shift that continues to reshape housing and healthcare needs nationwide. Since joining Best Life Brands in March 2024, Next Day Access has accelerated development, expanded operational support and strengthened its franchise system, growing to over 100 territories nationwide as of the fourth quarter of 2025. Looking ahead to 2026, Next Day Access plans to continue expanding its footprint while deepening partnerships with healthcare providers, senior living communities and local organizations to help more individuals safely remain in the places they call home.
- Related: In 2026 so far, Next Day Access has rolled out new franchises in Colorado, Wisconsin & Alabama
Nominations open for 2026 HME WOY
WATERLOO, Iowa — VGM is pleased to announce that nominations are officially open for the 2026 HME Woman of the Year Award now through April 17. The award presentation will take place during VGM’s Heartland Conference, June 8–10, 2026, in Waterloo, Iowa. Now in its tenth year, the HME Woman of the Year Award recognizes extraordinary leaders who have made significant and lasting contributions to the home medical equipment (HME) industry. Eligible nominees represent a wide range of roles, including providers, manufacturers, association leaders, clinicians, consultants and advocates in HME, complex rehab technology (CRT), respiratory care, women’s health, and related segments. “The HME Woman of the Year Award honors the leaders who push this industry forward through compassion, innovation, and service,” said Jeremy Stolz, CEO of VGM Group, Inc. “Heartland is the perfect stage to recognize their achievements. We look forward to celebrating the incredible women whose work strengthens providers, empowers patients, and shapes the future of HME.” To submit a nomination and learn more about the award, visit vgm.com/womanoftheyear.
Read about recent past winners:
NCPA launches national ad campaign aimed at corporate pharmacies
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) today launched a nationwide ad campaign aimed at consumers looking for a better experience than the one they’re getting from big-box stores or mail-order outfits. The multi-million-dollar, multi-year campaign will air across national television over the next two weeks, including on CNN, Fox News, HGTV, TBS and TLC, and then move to local cable, streaming TV, social media and online sites. “Corporate pharmacies treat patients like numbers. We want Americans to rediscover their local, family-owned pharmacy, where they will get a much better experience and state-of-the-art health care,” said Kristen Riddle, NCPA president. “We also want people who may have been abandoned by their corporate pharmacy due to closures or poor service to know they don’t have to be herded into a mail-order relationship. There’s a local alternative nearby, and we want to help them find it.” In one satirical commercial titled “What I Love About Chain Pharmacies,” customers heap ironic praise on all the wrong things. One gushes about the inconsistent operating hours. A mom raves about being stuck on hold with a robot that never answers her questions. Another says she simply adores being treated like a number. Watch the spot here. All of these scenarios are then juxtaposed with customers experiencing personalized, friendly service at their independently-owned community pharmacy. All the ads invite viewers to visit the NCPA website pharmacy locator, where they can find a nearby community pharmacy.
Telemedicine operator sentenced in multi-million DME fraud scheme
NEWARK, N.J. – The owner of two telemedicine companies was sentenced to seven years in prison and ordered to pay $27.9 million in restitution for his role in a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME). According to court documents and statements made in court, Reinaldo Wilson, 57, formerly of Richmond Hill, Ga., owned and operated two telemedicine companies located in Bayonne, New Jersey between 2017 and 2019. Through these companies, Wilson and others paid illegal kickbacks to medical providers to sign orders for orthotic braces for Medicare beneficiaries, even though the beneficiaries did not need the braces. “Instead of connecting patients with legitimate care, Reinaldo Wilson used his telemedicine companies to exploit Medicare and line his own pockets,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He stole over $27.9 million by submitting false and fraudulent claims, robbing a program designed to provide medical care to America’s seniors. The Criminal Division will aggressively prosecute those who defraud Medicare and exploit taxpayer-funded programs meant to serve the people who have paid into the system.” During the conspiracy, Wilson and others submitted more $56 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare. In March 2021, Wilson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud.
VGM Heartland Conference posts record-breaking registration
WATEROO, Iowa—VGM’s Heartland Conference had a record-breaking opening registration day Feb. 25 with more than 250 attendees registered, signaling strong momentum and growing enthusiasm for the event, say conference organizers. By comparison, Heartland’s traditional opening day registration totaled just eight attendees in 2025. A major contributor to the increase was the special one-day-only $225 registration rate introduced in celebration of Heartland’s 25th anniversary. “This kind of response is both energizing and affirming,” said Lindy Tentinger, president of VGM & Associates. “Offering a $225 anniversary registration was about celebrating 25 years of Heartland by welcoming more people into the experience. Seeing that decision result in record breaking registrations—especially from first time attendees—confirms the value of making Heartland accessible and inclusive.” Thirty-three percent of those who registered are first-time attendees. The surge in early registrations reflects the growing reputation of the Heartland Conference as a must attend event, known for its high-quality education, forward thinking programming, and strong sense of community. For more information about Heartland Conference agenda, speakers and experiences, visit vgmheartland.com.
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