In brief: CMS’s diabetes proposal, plus people news from AAH, ADS, Henry Schein

WASHINGTON – CMS is proposing changing the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program to allow more people to access coaching and peer support, as well as practical training in dietary change, physical activity and behavior change strategies, to delay or prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes for those with prediabetes. 

In a new proposed rule, the agency also seeks to remove 10 quality measures that it says did not improve health outcomes and add five new measures that focus on the prevention of chronic disease, including prescreening for diabetes. 

“We are taking meaningful steps to modernize Medicare, cut waste, and improve patient care,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “We’re making it easier for seniors to access preventive services, incentivizing health care providers to deliver real results, and cracking down on abuse that drives up costs. This is how we protect Medicare for the next generation while helping Americans live longer, healthier lives. 

Additionally, CMS is issuing a request for information (RFI) to gather recommendations on improving wellness, prevention and chronic disease management. 

Through the physician fee schedule (PFS) proposed rule, CMS also seeks to: 

• Pay for skin substitutes as incident-to supplies, a change that it expects to reduce spending on these products by nearly 90%, saving billions of dollars. Skin substitutes are also part of a new Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) model, an initiative aimed at improving and expediting the prior authorization process for original Medicare. 
• Create a new Ambulatory Specialty Model, a mandatory payment model focused on specialty care for beneficiaries with heart failure and low back pain, significant areas of Medicare spending. Participants will be held accountable for their performance, generating savings. 
• Reduce payment differentials for physicians across settings of care by leveraging hospital data to calculate more accurate payment rates for certain services and better accounting for increased efficiencies in procedures and tests. 

“This move reflects our continued shift toward smarter, data-informed policymaking,” said Chris Klomp, deputy administrator and director of the Center for Medicare at CMS. “We’re advancing technical improvements that reward high-quality, efficient care; addressing the root causes of unique health challenges; and aligning health care spending with value so that new innovations help to deliver better quality at a lower price.” 

The 60-day comment period for the CY 2026 PFS proposed rule (CMS-1832 P) ends on Sept. 12, 2025.  

For a fact sheet on the CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, please visit https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-cy-2026-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-pfs-proposed-rule-cms-1832-p.  

To view the CY 2026 PFS proposed rule, please visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/current. 

AAHomecare expands payer relations team with ‘HME pro’ 

WASHINGTON – Cadie McGonagill has joined AAHomecare as senior director of payer relations. McGonagill, who most recently served as vice president of managed care for Lincare, brings more than two decades of leadership experience in managed care contracting, reimbursement strategy and payer engagement to the association. “We’re excited to add another experienced HME pro to our roster and further strengthen our payer relations and state-level advocacy capabilities,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president & CEO. “Cadie’s background in developing payer engagement strategies and navigating complex negotiations, along with her demonstrated commitment to advancing the HME community, makes her a great fit for this role.” McGonagill joins Laura Williard, senior vice president of payer relations, and David Chandler, vice president of payer relations on AAHomecare’s payer relations team. McGonagill has served as chair of AAHomecare’s Payer Relations Council for the last 18 months. “I’ve had a first-hand view of Cadie’s leadership abilities and her willingness to share her knowledge with her peers though her work on the Payer Relations Council,” Williard said. “She is going to be an important resource for our members as part of our team.”  

Cardinal Health increases support to state pharmacy associations 

DUBLIN, Ohio – Cardinal Health has launched the Cardinal Health One Voice Initiative to directly financially support the advocacy efforts of state pharmacy associations. "The independent pharmacy community is a powerful voice with legislators as community-based health care providers," said Brad Cochran, EVP, Pharmaceutical and Specialty Distribution at Cardinal Health. "We have been a steadfast advocate for independent pharmacy and the Cardinal Health One Voice Initiative for pharmacy advocacy builds on the momentum within this community by further enhancing their collective voice in health care policy discussions." As part of the initiative, Cardinal Health will make financial contributions to state pharmacy associations and will support additional states based on access to advocacy opportunities. "We have consistently heard from lawmakers that pharmacists sharing the impact health care policies have on their patients is the most impactful way to create meaningful change," said Michelle Britt, SVP, Retail Independent Sales. "The goal of the One Voice Initiative is to support the impressive advocacy efforts of the pharmacy community and encourage active participation in advocacy across our nationwide network of pharmacies so that they can work directly with lawmakers on the future of pharmacy."      

Mixon no longer leads ADSG 

CARLSBAD, Calif. - Bill Mixon said farewell to the team at Advanced Diabetes Supply Group (ADSG) on July 14 “with confidence in the direction that they are heading under the ownership of Cardinal Health,” he wrote in a LinkedIn post. “As I reflect on the past several years spent with this incredible business, I have the most pride in the world-class team that brought my vision to life, positioning us as one of the leading diabetes distributors in the country,” he wrote. “Together, we grew to $1 billion in revenue, serving nearly a half-million patients annually, culminating in the sale of the business to Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions.” Mixon was named CEO of ADSG in 2023. He remained in the post following the company’s acquisition by Cardinal Health in 2024. Mixon wrote that Anthony Alvarez now leads the ADSG and Edgepark businesses as a general manager. “Anothony’s vision for the future of this company is strong, and I expect nothing but greatness for the future,” he wrote. Prior to ADSG, Mixon was the CEO of National Seating and Mobility. “I can’t wait to share more about my next chapter in the health care services and distribution ecosystem as both a leader and investor, and I look forward to watching ADSG’s continued growth and success,” he wrote. 

Henry Schein CEO to retire 

MELVILLE, N.Y. - Henry Schein CEO Stanley M. Bergman will retire at the end of the year after 45 years at the company, including more than 35 years in the top role. He will continue to lead the company until his retirement and will remain chairman of the board following his retirement. “With the progress made advancing our BOLD+1 strategic plan and with strong management in place, it is the right time for me to retire at the end of the year,” Mr. Bergman said. “I look forward to working with the Board to identify my successor and effect a smooth transition. Henry Schein has been my professional home for 45 years and I will conclude this chapter of my life with enormous gratitude for the opportunity to serve as CEO and with great confidence in the Company’s future.” The board has started a formal search process in conjunction with a nationally recognized executive search firm and will consider internal and external candidates. During Bergman’s tenure as CEO, Henry Schein’s revenue grew from $225 million in 1989 to almost $13 billion in 2024, representing an approximate compound annual growth rate of 17.5%. The company’s market capitalization grew from $290 million at the time of its IPO in 1995 to a current value of almost $9 billion. In a letter, Bergman thanked all of Team Schein for playing such an important role in building the company. “I am especially pleased to have worked with tens of thousands of incredibly committed and talented Team Schein Members who helped reimagine and reinvent Henry Schein’s role, from one of product delivery and logistics to one whose mission today is to help our over 1 million health care professionals operate better and more efficient practices so our customers can concentrate on delivering the best quality patient care.” 

Lifeway Mobility deepens presence on East Coast 

HARTORD, Conn. - Lifeway Mobility has opened a new location in Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J., to serve northern and central New Jersey, as well as the Westchester and Putnam counties in New York and the western New York City metropolitan area. The company has also welcomed Wayne Brown as director of sales growth for the Northeast and general manager for the new northern New Jersey team. “Welcoming Wayne to our growing team is another key step in enhancing our services across the New York City metro area and throughout the East Coast,” said Paul Bergantino, CEO of Lifeway Mobility. “Together, with the investment in Center Span Medical and Frank Sacco leading our Long Island team, this expansion gives us coverage in 14 contiguous states along the East Coast from our locations along the I-95 corridor to Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. We’re continuing to extend Lifeway’s outstanding customer experience by improving the lives of families in 36 states across the country.” Lifeway Mobility announced in June that it had acquired Deer Park, N.Y.-based Center Span, a national provider of home safety and accessibility products serving veterans and people with limited mobility, and Redispan, a manufacturer of patented wheelchair ramps. Soon after, the company announced that Frank Sacco, a U.S. Marine Corps. veteran with 20 years of industry experience, would lead the company’s expansion of services to Long Island and the New York City metropolitan area. Brown, a native New Yorker, says he’s excited to lead Lifeway Mobility’s expansion into his “neighborhood.” “Joining the Lifeway Team offers a tremendous opportunity,” he said. “After years of leading a national sales team with a major stairlift manufacturer, I’m now able to coach our consultants to reach their full potential as they assist customers with our wide range of home accessibility solutions.” 

CSMC East will debut in 2026 

TORONTO – The Canadian Seating and Mobility Conference (CSMC) is collaborating with the Maritime Home Medical Provider Association (MHMPA) on an event April 29-30 in Moncton, New Brunswick. CSMC East will bring together leading experts, practitioners and educators from across the medical and health policy fields to share insights, advancements and best practices. “We’re thrilled to announce the launch of CSMC East – our first-ever expansion of the Canadian Seating & Mobility Conference,” said Dave Davies, president of VGM Canada. “This new event brings the same trusted education, hands-on learning and product innovation that CSMC has delivered for over 30 years. By bringing the conference to the East Coast, we’re opening doors for more therapists and dealers to connect, learn and grow. We can’t wait to welcome you to Moncton.” CSMC says attendees will have the opportunity to engage in high-quality educational sessions, network with peers and explore innovative solutions to current challenges in health care. MHMPA says it is committed to supporting ongoing education for their members and health care professionals throughout the region. “As the sitting chair of the MHMPA, I am thrilled to announce our partnership with the Canadian Seating and Mobility Conference to launch CSMC East,” said Shawn Léger, president of MHMPA.