In brief: Industry mobilizes ahead of deadline, Permobil names president, Inc. 5000 returns
By HME News Staff
Updated 8:25 AM CDT, Fri August 15, 2025
WATERLOO, Iowa, & ARLINGTON, Va. – From guiding home medical equipment (HME) providers on submitting comments on the proposed rule to mobilizing patients to speak out about the impact of bidding, VGM Government Relations and AAHomecare have launched resources to help.
VGM releases bidding challenges & to-dos
VGM has developed a lengthy outline of competitive bidding proposals, challenges, recommendations and guidance to help DME companies develop comments for an upcoming Aug. 29 deadline.
“VGM has stood by the DMEPOS community through every round of competitive bidding—and this time is no different,” it stated. “We remain committed to supporting suppliers throughout this process and will continue to provide resources and guidance along the way. Please reach out to the VGM Government Relations Team for additional guidance and support.”
The outline also includes detailed instructions on how to submit comments.
AAHomecare launches toolkit to ‘mobilize’ end users
AAHomecare’s new End User CBP Activation Toolkit will help the industry mobilize voices of end users and family caregivers in submitting comments in opposition to Medicare’s competitive bidding program.
Resources include:
- Comment guide with clear instructions and talking points
- Educational resources that explain what’s at stake for end users
- Sample e-mail and social media content to help spread the word
“This is an all-hands-on-deck moment,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. “We must activate every corner of the HME community – including the voices of end users and their families – to stop these provisions that would devastate access to care and dismantle the HME infrastructure that makes home-based care possible.”
To download the toolkit, visit aahomecare.org/CBP-Engagement-Toolkit.
Permobil names Walling president
LEBANON, Tenn. – Permobil has appointed Todd Walling president of Permobil Americas. He will also join the company’s global leadership team.
Currently, Walling serves as senior vice president of sales for the region. Prior to joining Permobil in 2007, he held roles at The MED Group.
“With nearly two decades of transformative leadership at Permobil – including 10 years as SVP of sales – Todd has been a driving force behind our growth in the Americas,” says Chuck Witkowski, CEO of Permobil. “His deep industry expertise, unwavering passion and proven ability to build and inspire talented teams will help propel Permobil into an even brighter future. Todd isn’t just stepping into this role, he’s ready to help redefine what’s possible for our customers and end-users across the region.”
Walling succeeds Witkowski, who Permobil promoted from president of Permobil Americas to CEO earlier this year.
Walling says his priorities in his new role will be to ensure the voices of Permobil’s end users and customers are heard and to make the company easy to work with.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to step into this role,” he said. “Permobil has been a huge part of my life for a long time, and I see us continuing to evolve into the most innovative mobility solution manufacturer in the market. I’ve been part of the journey from a big, small company to a small, big company, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come.”
Rehab Medical makes Inc. 5000
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Rehab Medical has made the 2025 Inc. 5000 annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for the fourth time, landing at No. 4,326. Rehab Medical has experienced 77% growth over the last three years and opened seven new offices. The company was also named 2024 HME Provider of the Year by HME News, a prestigious recognition that shows how the company is positively impacting the industry it serves. “It is a privilege to once again be recognized on the Inc. 5000 list,” said Kevin Gearheart, president. “This milestone underscores the strength of our deliberate, strategic approach to growth and, above all, the extraordinary value our employees bring to our mission. Their expertise, dedication and compassion are the foundation of our success and the driving force behind our continued expansion.” In 2022, Rehab Medical’s CEO, Patrick McGinley, was also honored as the Midwest Entrepreneur of the Year, a prestigious accolade that underscores his visionary leadership driving the company forward within the DME industry.
AASM seeks abstract submissions
DARIEN, Ill. – The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is accepting abstract submissions for Sleep Medicine Disruptors 2025. “Sleep is essential to health, and disruption and innovation are accelerating the ability of the AASM and its members to advance sleep care and enhance sleep health to improve lives,” the AASM states. Entries in this new award program will be evaluated by a panel of sleep medicine professionals, who will select the finalists who will be invited to give a pitch presentation at Sleep Medicine Disruptors 2025, which takes place Nov. 14-15 in Austin, Texas, as well as online. Attendees of this in-person and livestreamed event will select the award winners. Accepted abstracts will be published in an online supplement of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Visit the abstract submission page for detailed guidelines. Submission deadline is Sept. 8.
TwelveStone makes Inc. list
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the sixth consecutive year, TwelveStone Health Partners has been named to the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America, coming in at No. 3881. The ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. “Our growth year over year reflects the dedication, talent, and heart of our entire team,” said Shane Reeves, CEO. “We’re honored to be recognized among the nation’s fastest-growing companies, but more importantly, we’re proud of the positive impact we’re making in the lives of our patients, partners, and communities. This recognition fuels our commitment to innovate, serve and lead with excellence in every single patient interaction.” Among the top 500 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate reached 1,552%,with those companies collectively adding more than 48,678 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years.
Nonin launches platform to manage overnight oximetry testing
PLYMOUTH, Minn. – Nonin Medical has launched the Nonin Health platform, a cloud-based system to support clinicians, home care providers, independent diagnostic testing organizations (IDTFs), sleep dentists and sleep physicians in managing overnight oximetry testing. The platform also helps them with follow-up care by accelerating the provision of supplemental oxygen for patients with chronic respiratory conditions and facilitating oral sleep appliance titration, the company says. “Many home care providers, respiratory care clinicians and sleep specialists rely on overnight oximetry testing to assess the need for oxygen therapy or evaluate the effectiveness of sleep therapy,” says John Hastings, CEO at Nonin Medical. “However, this process often involves multiple manual steps, including shipping devices, retrieving and manually uploading data via USB, potential re-testing and coordinating follow-up care. All of these tasks delay clinical decision-making and increase the workload for non-reimbursed services.” The mobile app-based platform allows patients to run and complete overnight oximetry tests prescribed by their health care providers using Android or iOS devices. It connects to Nonin’s WristOx2® Model 3150 via Bluetooth, allowing users to sleep normally while the oximeter works in the background, measuring SpO2 levels. Clinicians have immediate remote access to study results via a secure web portal upon completion of the overnight test. The platform is currently available exclusively in the United States.
DermaRite Industries issues voluntary nationwide recall of several product lines
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. – DermaRite Industries is voluntarily recalling individual lots of products due to microbial contamination identified as Burkholderia cepecia, which cam result in serious and life-threatening infections. To date, DermaRite has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall. Affected products are:
- DermaKleen, an OTC antiseptic lotion soap with Vitamin E indicated for handwashing to decrease bacteria on the skin.
- DermaSarra, an OTC External analgesic indicated for temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations due to: dry skin, insect bites, detergents, sunburn.
- KleenFoam, an OTC Antimicrobial foam soap with Aloe Vera indicated for handwashing to decrease bacteria on the skin after changing diapers, after assisting ill people, or before contact with a person under medical care or treatment.
- PeriGiene, an OTC Antiseptic cleanser indicated for use in the perineal area.
Labels of affected products can be viewed here. The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the United States and in Puerto Rico.DermaRite has notified its distributors and customers by e-mail to immediately examine available inventory and destroy all affected products in accordance with each facility’s process. The recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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