In brief: Grassroots turnout, BetterSleep deal, MedRhythm partnership, HOMELINK COO
By HME News Staff
Updated 8:34 AM CDT, Fri September 19, 2025
WASHINGTON – During the August recess, DME suppliers across the country seized the opportunity to engage with lawmakers and advocate for critical DMEPOS legislation, according to VGM Government Relations.
From West...
In Dallas, Laurie Bachorek, director of rehab at Baxter Management/MetroCare, hosted U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, a member of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee. Veasey spent the day working alongside the MetroCare team to gain firsthand insight into the challenges faced by the DME community.
“He trained with our ATP and rehab tech in the morning, toured the facility and rode along to deliver a repaired powerchair to a patient near his district,” said Bachorek.
This immersive experience gave Veasey a deeper understanding of the essential services DME providers deliver every day. Most notably, he committed to supporting H.R. 2005, which would re-establish 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rates in non-rural/non-bid areas could help to fortify the market and access.
...to East
Lauryn Estrella, executive director for the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES), coordinated nine meetings with federal legislators across the six states represented by the association.
“Since the early 2000s, HOMES has made it a priority to meet with federal legislators throughout New England during August recess,” said Estrella. “This year, we aimed to re-establish those connections while lawmakers were back in their district offices. These relationships—and their support—are vital to our industry. There’s nothing better than walking into a meeting and hearing, ‘What am I signing onto today?’”
VGM says these impactful engagements during the August recess demonstrate the power of direct advocacy and storytelling in shaping policy.
“By opening their doors and sharing their experiences, DME providers are helping lawmakers understand the real-world implications of their decisions,” the company says. “As we move forward, continued collaboration and outreach will be essential to advancing legislation that protects access to quality care and supports the DME community. Let’s keep the momentum going—every conversation counts.”
Strategic partnership brings MedRhythms’ music-based mobility therapy to homes nationwide
PORTLAND, Maine – MedRhythms has formed a strategic partnership with Edwards Health Care Services (EHCS), a provider of direct-to-home medical products, that enables nationwide distribution of its next-generation neurotherapeutic devices designed to improve walking and mobility.
MedRhythms' currently available devices, which use music to deliver rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), are:
- InTandem for adults with chronic stroke walking impairments; and
- MOVIVE for people with Parkinson's disease
"This partnership marks a significant expansion in access to both InTandem and MOVIVE," said Joel Behnke, chief commercial officer of MedRhythms. "Building on our nationwide coverage for veterans, people living with chronic stroke and Parkinson's disease who have Medicare or commercial insurance can now access this life-changing therapy, making it easier for patients to begin their rehabilitation journey from the comfort of home."
The distribution partnership with EHCS builds on MedRhythms' national reimbursement infrastructure, following a recent decision by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a unique HCPCS code (E3200), finalize payment determination for the code, and confirm the benefit category as durable medical equipment (DME) for gait modulation systems that use rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS).
"At Edwards Health Care Services, we are committed to improving access to innovative therapies that help people live healthier, more independent lives," said Matthew Edwards, CEO of EHCS, which is a GEMCORE family company. "Through this partnership with MedRhythms, we can deliver proven neurorehabilitation solutions directly to patients' homes, supporting better mobility and quality of life for those managing stroke recovery and Parkinson's disease."
BetterNight expands Northeast footprint with acquisition of Coastal Sleep and Epoch Sleep Centers...
SAN DIEGO — BetterNight has acquired Coastal Sleep Diagnostics and Epoch Sleep Centers (epochsc.com), two well-established sleep care providers serving communities across the Northeastern United States.
By integrating Coastal and Epoch’s clinical expertise and regional reach with its proven telehealth platform and evidence-based care pathways, BetterNight strengthens its position as a trusted provider of end-to-end sleep care.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coastal and Epoch into the BetterNight family,” said Inan Beydilli, CEO of BetterNight. “Their longstanding commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centered care perfectly aligns with our values. Together, we will increase access to effective sleep solutions for more individuals struggling with sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.”
The combined organization will operate under the BetterNight brand, offering seamless care from diagnosis to long-term management for patients suffering from sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.
Through the acquisition, the in-lab and home-based sleep study programs of Coastal and Epoch will be enhanced by BetterNight’s technology-driven platform, which includes virtual consultations, remote patient monitoring and continuous care coordination.
“We are excited to join forces with BetterNight,” said Peter Fontaine of Epoch Sleep Centers. “This partnership will allow us to offer even more comprehensive and convenient care to our patients while preserving the high standards they expect from us.”
... names Beydilli CEO
SAN DIEGO – BetterNight, a provider of comprehensive sleep health solutions, has named Inan Beydilli as CEO. Beydilli officially assumed the role on Aug. 25, bringing with him extensive health care leadership experience and a proven commitment to patient-centered innovation, the company says. Most recently, he served as CEO of HME Specialists, a regional durable medical equipment (DME) company. "What drew me to BetterNight is its mission and the incredible company that's already been built," said Beydilli. "I believe, as Dave French (co-founder and former CEO) and the senior leadership team do, that sleep medicine must be reimagined as a comprehensive, end-to-end care model that truly centers on patient experience and outcomes. The progress made toward that vision is inspiring, and I'm honored to help lead the next chapter of growth." Beydilli also had a successful tenure at Apria Healthcare, where he held senior leadership roles, including senior vice president of commercial strategy. During his time there, Beydilli led major transformation initiatives, launched growth-focused programs and championed models of care that prioritized patient outcomes.
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Related: BetterNight receives $33M in funding
HOMELINK names Rogan COO
WATERLOO, Iowa – HOMELINK has promoted Monica Rogan to chief operating officer to continue overseeing the company’s operations teams for both workers’ compensation and group health. “Monica has been a true leader since day one, and we are thrilled to recognize her with this promotion,” said Matt Waller, president of HOMELINK. “Her deep background in our business and team-first approach make her the perfect fit to oversee operations and continue to deliver the type of industry-leading experience HOMELINK is known for.” Since joining HOMELINK in 2010, Rogan has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s operational culture and strategy. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving key initiatives and best practices forward that improve efficiency, while elevating client experience and impact. “Our team is known for being personally invested in each claim and providing a simple, flexible experience from intake to scheduling and patient follow-up,” said Rogan. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and deeply honored to lead such talented and dedicated employee-owners.”
Premier, Premier Infusion ink GPO
CHARLOTTE, N.C. and TORRANCE, Calif. – Premier has entered a five-year group purchasing agreement with Premier Infusion and Healthcare Services expected to exceed an estimated $50 million in annual contract spend. Premier Infusion and HCS is a closed-door infusion pharmacy based in Torrance, Calif., serving all counties in California, as well as Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada and Washington state. The agreement supports its strategic expansion into the ambulatory infusion clinic (AIC) market and its reach into additional states. “We are proud to play a role in the continued expansion of Premier Infusion and HCS’s outpatient infusion services,” said Andy Brailo, Premier’s chief commercial officer. “Premier’s supply chain management services and technology will help support operational efficiency, cost containment and scalable growth to ensure that more patients receive the high-quality care they deserve. Equally important, this new group purchasing agreement speaks to the competitive strength and continued growth of Premier’s continuum of care purchasing and support services business.” Under the terms of the agreement, Premier will provide group purchasing and supply chain management services designed to support Premier Infusion and HCS’s continued growth and operational excellence. Premier Infusion and HCS will leverage Premier’s extensive purchasing network and expertise, supporting their efforts to achieve greater cost efficiencies, improve clinical outcomes and streamline procurement processes. “Together, we’re creating a more efficient pathway to expand access to high-quality infusion care,” said Sina M. Refua, PharmD., BCNSP, Premier Infusion and HCS’s president and founder. “This partnership enables us to streamline operations and improve cost-effectiveness as we expand our service offering and geographic footprint.”
Study: Tandem’s AID can lower A1c in certain Type 2 diabetes patients
AN DIEGO – Tandem Diabetes Care’s Control-IQ+ automated insulin delivery system can lower HbA1c’s in adults with insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study published in the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Care. The study, "Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Benefit from Automated Insulin Delivery Irrespective of C-peptide Level," is a sub-analysis from the 2IQP randomized, controlled trial. Of the 319 participants in the 2IQP trial, 254 were included in this specific analysis. Researchers categorized participants, all of whom had Type 2 diabetes and were using a t:slim X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ+ AID technology, into a 'high C-peptide' group (N=195) and a 'low C-peptide' group (N=59) based on CMS criteria. Participants in the AID group experienced a mean HbA1c decrease of 0.8% from baseline, which was significantly greater than the control group. This improvement was the same between the high and low C-peptide groups, demonstrating that the benefit of AID is present regardless of C-peptide levels. CMS criteria currently require a low C-peptide level for insulin pump coverage, which excludes many people with Type 2 diabetes from obtaining an AID system, even if they had already been benefiting from the technology prior to moving to Medicare. "The 2IQP trial demonstrated that AID provides benefits to adults with insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes across a range of demographics and treatment regimens, comparable to the outcomes seen in type 1 diabetes," said Irl B. Hirsch, MD, from the University of Washington School of Medicine and lead author of the manuscript. "These new analyses show that AID is effective regardless of C-peptide levels, indicating that a low C-peptide threshold should not be required for therapy."
Roche receives CE mark for mySugr, Accu-Check integration
BASEL, Switzerland – Roche has received the CE mark of approval for the integration of the mySugr app with its Accu-Chek SmartGuide and is set to launch it later this year. Users can view and analyze their CGM glucose values and predictions in one place, alongside other mySugr app functionalities, such as taking photos of and logging meals in the app to better understand blood glucose level patterns, seeing data from other connected devices and using the mySugr Bolus Calculator to help with insulin calculations. "The Accu-Chek SmartGuide CGM solution is a significant step toward providing greater peace of mind for people living with diabetes due to the AI-enabled predictive capabilities it offers,” said Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, Lifecycle Leader Patient Insights, Roche Diagnostics. “This empowers patients to take action before undesired events occur. By bringing together our Accu-Chek SmartGuide solution with mySugr, we are combining our predictive CGM technology with one of the world's most popular diabetes management apps that has more than 6 million registered accounts. This integration offers a comprehensive tool that simplifies daily decision-making by visualizing and analyzing all their therapy data in one place."
Williams Bros. Promotes Sell to CSO
WASHINGTON, Ind. – Williams Bros. Healthcare Pharmacy has appointed Scott Sell to chief strategy officer (CSO). Sell has been a key member of the leadership team since 2020 when he joined as business development manager. He was promoted to director of business development in 2024. “Scott’s appointment as chief strategy officer reflects his deep understanding of health care dynamics and his ability to translate vision into action,” said Clay Williams, CEO. “His leadership has already made a deep impact, and we are excited to see how he continues to shape the future of Williams Bros.” As CSO, Scott will lead strategic initiatives that align with the organization’s mission and long-term vision. Prior to joining Williams Bros., he served as director of strategic development for a hospital, where he led initiatives focused on growth, service line expansion and community engagement. Now in its 120th year, Williams Bros. Health Care Pharmacy remains a family-owned leader in integrated health services, offering retail pharmacy, long-term care and home medical equipment solutions (HME) across the region.
Aetrex expands kid shoe fitting program with gaming program
TEANECK, N.J. – Aetrex has announced the expansion of its kid shoe fitting platform with the launch of Tootsie Augmented Reality (AR) and Aetrex Kids Orthotics. The new AR experience is an extension of the Tootsie Foot Scanning program, introduced last year, which uses a friendly monster character named Tootsie to guide children through the foot measurement process. Now, after completing a foot scan, kids can step into Tootsie’s virtual world with the Meta Quest 3 or 3S VR headset. “The kids’ footwear market reached $55.5 billion in 2024, yet most children are still wearing the wrong shoe size,” said Aetrex CEO Larry Schwartz. “With the Tootsie Program, we ensure kids get proper sizing from their very first scan, helping to prevent future foot problems. At the same time, the Tootsie AR package transforms shopping into an engaging experience that kids look forward to, creating destinations where families want to return every six months or so as kids grow.” Beyond gaming, the Tootsie AR package offers retailers additional engagement opportunities, such as a digital photobooth for pictures with Tootsie and branded giveaways, including Tootsie-themed trading cards, digital wallpapers and more. The program ensures a repeatable, high-energy experience that draws families back to the store while giving retailers new ways to build loyalty and boost sales, Aetrex says. To complement the AR launch, the company is also introducing Kids Orthotics ($49.95), designed specifically for growing feet.
Rehab Medical launches RISE program to further invest in its employees
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Rehab Medical has launched RISE, a new employee-focused personal and professional development program. The company’s unified approach to employee success is built around six key pillars:
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Financial health
- Skill building
- Career growth
- Leadership
Developed through collaboration among human resource leaders and company executives, RISE was created to better serve employees at every stage of life and career, Rehab Medical says. During its early planning stages, leadership identified existing employee success tools that were available but underutilized. After collecting employee feedback, the team determined these programs needed clearer structure, visibility and alignment under a single initiative focused on both personal and professional growth. Unlike traditional employee benefits that focus primarily on health insurance, retirement plans and related offerings, RISE extends support by prioritizing overall employee growth, the company says. The program was introduced earlier this year and has already expanded with the recent launch of Next Step Skill Building program. This six-month course, which included nearly 40 employees in its pilot class, focuses on enhancing both soft and hard skills to increase confidence and effectiveness in employees’ current roles.
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