In brief: CPAP’s adherence assumption, CGM’s benefits, Shaq’s sleep apnea

ORLANDO, Fla. – Many insurers stop covering continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices if patients don’t use them regularly in the first 90 days. But new research presented at the ATS 2026 International Conference shows that many patients who initially struggle to meet these early-use thresholds do go on to use and benefit from CPAP therapy.

The findings challenge long-held assumptions that poor early use predicts long-term CPAP use, said first author Dennis Hwang, MD, a sleep and pulmonary physician at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Current Medicare policy requires patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to use their CPAP for at least four hours each night on 70% of nights during a 30-day window within the first 90 days to maintain coverage. That means patients who would, ultimately, benefit from CPAP may lose access to effective treatment, Dr. Hwang said.

“Our findings suggest clinicians and policymakers should not rely solely on Medicare-defined adherence, given its reliance on early CPAP use and an arbitrary four-hour threshold, when making long-term treatment decisions,” he said. “Extending support and coverage beyond the first 90 days could help more patients achieve meaningful benefit.”

For the study, researchers analyzed data on more than 132,000 patients treated for OSA within Kaiser Permanente Southern California, a system that offers CPAPs to patients regardless of whether they meet the early-use threshold.

Researchers found that 51% of patients didn’t meet the 90-day Medicare criteria for continued use. However, more than one-third of patients who didn’t meet the early Medicare use criteria were still using CPAP one year later. Even those who weren’t meeting the four-hour threshold were still using the devices for at least two hours a night, an amount known to improve symptoms of sleep apnea, Hwang noted.

“These findings challenge a long-standing assumption in clinical practice and policy,” he said. “While clinicians know some patients take time to adapt, the scale of continued use we observed in those that did not initially meet Medicare adherence was striking.”

Next, researchers are planning additional studies to better understand which patients are most likely to become long-term CPAP users and evaluate evidence-based coverage policies that focus on patient outcomes rather than arbitrary usage thresholds, Hwang said.

Study: CGM use lowers A1C in adults with Type 2 diabetes

NEW ORLEANS – Adults with Type 2 diabetes who are on of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) but who are not on insulin saw substantially reduced hyperglycemia, resulting in a large reduction in A1C compared with a routine care control group, according to new researchers presented at the 2026 Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in New Orleans. 

The study found that CGM was associated with a substantial reduction in hyperglycemia, resulting in a 0.9% greater A1C reduction after six months in the CGM group compared with the Routine Care control group. Time in the glucose target range of 70 to 180 mg/dL was a five hours per day greater with CGM than with routine care. Participants in the CGM group expressed greater satisfaction with glucose monitoring and reduced distress related to diabetes compared with the routine care group.

"Since many of the patients with type 2 diabetes who use oral or non-insulin injectable therapies are seen in primary care settings, continuous glucose monitoring provides an opportunity to close a visible care gap," said Thomas W. Martens, MD, co-author of the study. "As the first major randomized controlled trial evaluating CGM in individuals with type 2 diabetes not using insulin, these findings can help reshape diabetes management and expand treatment options for patients, improve glucose levels and A1C management for clinicians, and ultimately reduce diabetes-related complications."

The CONNECT randomized controlled trial was a multicenter study conducted across 22 primary care practices in the U.S. and included 283 adults with Type 2 diabetes not on insulin (mean age 60; 32% racial or ethnic minority participants; A1C 7.1% to 14.9%). The trial evaluated the impact of CGM on blood glucose management and A1C levels over 26 weeks. At baseline, mean A1C was 8.8%, with 31% of participants having an A1C ≥9%. In addition, 37% of participants were using an SGLT2 inhibitor, an oral medication that helps remove excess glucose through the urine, while 40% were using an incretin-based medication, such as a GLP-1-based medication. Participants were randomly assigned to either use a CGM device (Dexcom G7) or receive routine care with standard blood glucose meter testing. 

Airport partners with Project MEND to donate unclaimed medical equipment

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio International Airport (SAT) has a new partnership with Project MEND that will allow unclaimed medical equipment left in the airport’s lost and found to be donated for community reuse. Through the partnership, eligible medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and other mobility devices, will be transferred to Project MEND, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving quality of life for individuals living with disabilities and life-altering illnesses through the refurbishment, reuse and distribution of medical equipment. “At SAT, we’re always looking for meaningful ways to support our community, and this initiative with Project MEND allows us to do just that,” said Jesus Saenz, director of airports, City of San Antonio Aviation Department. “Through this partnership, unclaimed medical equipment can be given a second life, supporting the organization’s mission to improve mobility and independence for individuals in need while also reducing unnecessary waste. Founded in 1992, Project MEND serves thousands in San Antonio and across Texas each year. Between 2024 and 2025, the organization distributed more than 6,200 pieces of durable medical equipment, valued at more than $923,000, and kept approximately 74 tons of potentially biohazardous equipment out of local landfills. As part of its commitment to supporting veterans, Project MEND has also donated wheelchairs to Honor Flight San Antonio since its inception, ensuring veterans have the mobility support needed to participate in commemorative trips honoring their service. “We are truly grateful for this new invaluable partnership with San Antonio International Airport,” said Cathy Valdez, Project MEND CEO. “Their commitment to donating medical equipment to our organization enables us to refurbish it and provide the gift of mobility to individuals who need it most. Partnerships like these are the cornerstone of our mission, enabling us to transform lives and foster greater independence within our community.”

OPGA calls for O&P WOY noms

WATERLOO, Iowa — The Orthotic Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) has opened nominations for the 2026 O&P Woman of the Year Award. Sponsored by Össur and presented by OPGA, this annual award honors women who have made significant and lasting contributions across the orthotics and prosthetics profession, demonstrating exceptional leadership, service and dedication. “We’re proud to continue recognizing the remarkable women whose work strengthens providers, empowers patients, and shapes the future of O&P,” says Jeff Kessler, director of OPGA. “For ten years, the O&P Woman of the Year Award shines a light on the passion, expertise, and commitment women bring to this profession and the lives they touch every day.” Nominators are encouraged to provide examples of how the nominee has made significant contributions throughout her career to serve her patients, community, business and the O&P profession. Nominations for the 2026 O&P Woman of the Year Award must be submitted by July 10 and may be made here www.vgm.com/oandpwomanoftheyear. The award recipient will be selected by a committee of O&P professionals and announced during the AOPA National Assembly later this year.

Read about 2025 O&P WOY Fanny Schultea: Changing face of O&P: Education, research and new generation of clinicians 

Senseonics, Welldoc partner to develop mobile app for Eversense 365

GERMANTOWN & COLUMBIA, Md. – Senseonics and Welldoc have announced a strategic partnership to develop a new custom mobile application for the Eversense 365. The next-generation app will maintain all existing features that patients currently benefit from, alongside new features to enhance user experience and facilitate better integration with popular digital health tools. As part of this, the new and improved Eversense 365 app will facilitate seamless integration with Apple Health and Google Health Connect, enabling users to compile all their most valuable health and fitness data into one place. Where available, the app will also continue to support the transformative combination of Eversense 365 with the twiist Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System, which launched in the U.S. earlier this year. “At Senseonics we’re committed to making the CGM experience as convenient and effective as possible, with excellence at the heart of everything we do,” said Tim Goodnow, CEO, Senseonics. “This makes Welldoc a natural partner for developing our next-generation app and we look forward to leveraging their platform and expertise in AI-powered digital health. Users can also expect a revamped app interface with improved visual components and workflows for all features and functionalities of the current app. In particular, this project will focus on enhancing the user interface and experience of sensor and transmitter integration, including pairing and activation, communication status, synchronization, data displays and alerts. These improvements will ensure that usability and functionality of the app better reflect the outstanding technology of the Eversense 365 CGM system. The new app is expected to launch in the U.S. during the second half of 2026, with availability in European markets early next year.

Related reading:

• Senseonics launches Eversense 365 in Sweden, other countries to follow
•  Senseonics to enter EU markets with Eversense 365 CGM system 

Daybreak to make OAT available to veterans nationwide

LOS ANGELES – Daybreak has entered into a distribution partnership with Veterans Healthcare Supply Solutions (VHSS), a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), to make oral appliance therapy (OAT) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) available to veterans through VA Healthcare facilities nationwide. Obstructive sleep apnea disproportionately affects the veteran population, with studies estimating that OSA is among the most prevalent service-connected conditions in the United States. Through this partnership, VHSS will serve as the federal distribution partner for Daybreak's oral appliance therapy program, enabling VA Healthcare facilities, Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), the Department of Defense (DOD), and Indian Healthcare Services (IHS) to procure and deliver Daybreak's oral appliance therapy directly to eligible veteran patients. "Millions of veterans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, and too many of them aren't getting the treatment they deserve,” said Wesley Lones, founder & CEO, Daybreak.” This partnership with VHSS is a critical step toward changing that. By working together, we can bring a clinically effective, patient-preferred alternative to CPAP directly into the VA system and meet veterans where they are." Per the agreement, Daybreak's oral appliance therapy workflow will be available starting June 22, 2026, to VA Healthcare facilities, MTFs, the DOD, and IHS facilities nationwide through VHSS's established federal contracting infrastructure, including EDI transaction capabilities and direct-to-patient delivery logistics.

• Related: Robert Miller leads Daybreak’s push for CPAP alternatives

Zepbound, Shaq launch national OSA awareness campaign

INDIANAPOLIS – Eli Lilly and Company has announced that basketball legend and cultural icon Shaquille O'Neal is sharing his personal experience with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including candid insight into his diagnosis and treatment journey with Zepbound (tirzepatide). After years of dismissing fatigue, loud snoring and difficulty focusing as normal parts of his life, O'Neal learned they were actually symptoms of moderate-to-severe OSA. Moderate-to-severe OSA is a serious but often overlooked condition that affects approximately 24 million adults in the US, many with obesity. Most cases of moderate-to-severe OSA remain undiagnosed and untreated. Now, he's partnering with Lilly to raise awareness of the condition and encourage others to talk to their doctor. "For a long time, I was tired during the day, not sleeping well at night, and I just thought that's how it was for someone my size," said O'Neal. "When my doctor told me I had moderate obstructive sleep apnea, it clicked – this wasn't just about snoring, it was a real health condition. Being prescribed Zepbound helped make a difference for me in my OSA treatment journey; I even lost some weight. If sharing my story helps even one person talk to their doctor, that's a win." To help close this awareness gap, Lilly is launching Watch This, a national, multi-channel campaign built around O'Neal's experience. The campaign spans broadcast, streaming, digital and social platforms, along with in-person community events and appearances. In his own voice, O'Neal shares the symptoms he dismissed for years and why he decided to take action, pointing audiences to resources at zepbound.lilly.com to recognize their own symptoms and connect with care and treatment options. O’Neal first partnered with Eli Lilly in 2025 on OSA awareness.