In brief: Medicare comparison legislation, Omnipod expansion, Owlet partnership
By HME News Staff
Updated 9:07 AM CST, Wed February 18, 2026
WASHINGTON — Senator Tim Scott, R-S.C., has introduced the Apples to Apples Comparison Act of 2026, which seeks to require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide seniors with clear, comparable data when choosing between Medicare Advantage (MA) and traditional fee-for-service coverage. By giving seniors accurate cost and coverage information, the legislation empowers them to choose the plan that best meets their health care needs. “Seniors deserve straightforward, accurate and easily understandable information to help them make informed decisions about their health care,” said Scott. “Too often, seniors are left comparing apples to oranges when evaluating their options between traditional Medicare versus Medicare Advantage, and that confusion can have real consequences for their health and finances. This bill will provide seniors the clear, comparable data they need to confidently choose the plan that best meets their needs and protects both their health and their pocketbooks.”
Full text of the bill can be found here.
Insulet’s Omnipod 5 available in Middle East
ACTON, Mass. – Insulet’s Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System is now available in the Middle East – including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “We’re proud to bring Omnipod 5 to a region where the unmet need is great,” said Pat Crannell, senior vice president and international general manager. “These launches build on our significant momentum as we continue to transform the lives of people with diabetes worldwide. It is even more meaningful and impactful with the inaugural introduction of Omnipod Discover, which simplifies data management and helps us create a world where diabetes demands less, every day.” The Omnipod 5 System simplifies diabetes management and has demonstrated strong glycemic outcomes, including improved time in range and lowering HbA1c, by automatically adjusting insulin delivery every five minutes and eliminating the need for multiple daily injections (MDI). Omnipod 5 is indicated for individuals aged two years and older with type 1 diabetes and compatible with the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor and the Dexcom G7 sensor in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE, and with the Dexcom G7 sensor in Qatar.
Medtronic reports Q3 earnings, sees diabetes growth
GALWAY, Ireland – Medtronic reported revenue of $9 billion for its third quarter of fiscal year 2026 (FY26), which ended Jan. 23, 2026. Of that, diabetes business revenue was $796 million, an increase of 14.8% as reported and 8.3% organic, led by double-digit strength in international markets. In May 2025, Medtronic announced it would separate its diabetes business into a new standalone company, which represented 8% of revenue and 4% of segment operating profit in fiscal year 2025, into a new standalone company operating under the name MiniMed. "Q3 marks another strong quarter, delivering 6% organic revenue growth, ahead of guidance, demonstrating the strength of our portfolio," said Geoff Martha, Medtronic chairman and CEO. "By unlocking new markets and investing in high-growth opportunities, we are accelerating performance across the company. Our innovation pipeline and portfolio breadth give us confidence in our ability to sustain long-term growth. It's an exciting time for Medtronic."
Related: Medtronic builds pharmacy channel for MiniMed insulin pump & Medtronic starts IPO process for MiniMed
Portal Diabetes achieves Breakthrough designation from FDA for implantable insulin pump
WESTFIELD, Ind. – Portal Diabetes has received Breakthrough Device Designation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its implantable insulin pump system called Portal Pump, and the start of a Phase 1 study on its proprietary temperature-stable insulin, Portal Insulin. The company aims to deliver a functional cure to type 1 diabetes – an implantable insulin pump leveraging the physiologic delivery of insulin to the abdomen, modern continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, and stable, concentrated insulin to fully close the loop on insulin delivery for patients living with type 1 diabetes. "We believe patients will achieve much better glycemic control for a dramatically reduced mental burden with the Portal Pump," said Stacy Chambliss, CEO. "No more meal announcements, no more exercise announcements, no more night wakings; that is our goal. Step by step, we are working diligently to bring long-awaited technology to patients living with type 1 diabetes. Today, we celebrate the first clinical injections of Portal Insulin, a momentous occasion for the combination system." Clinical trials on the combination system are planned to begin around Q4 2027.
Owlet partners with PromptCare to expand footprint for BabySat pulse oximeter
LEHI, Utah – Owlet has announced a new strategic partnership with PromptCare, expanding its durable medical equipment (DME) footprint across key U.S. regions and supporting access to its prescription pulse oximeter, BabySat, through established pediatric pathways. "This partnership represents a meaningful step forward in Owlet’s DME expansion strategy," said Jonathan Harris, president and CEO of Owlet. "PromptCare’s deep experience in pediatric respiratory care and strong relationships with children’s hospitals make them an ideal partner as we continue to scale our clinical distribution model and make an impact where it matters most." PromptCare brings more than 40 years of experience in respiratory care delivery, operating from more than 25 locations across the United States with a large, clinically trained workforce supporting pediatric and home-based care. The partnership aligns Owlet with a DME provider that already supports pediatric and respiratory care programs in children’s hospitals and health care systems, several of which have expressed interest in Owlet partnering with PromptCare to support their initiatives. "Owlet’s technology complements our pediatric respiratory offerings and supports our mission to deliver high-quality, clinically relevant care in the home," said Matt Keppler, president of Respiratory at PromptCare. "We’re excited to pilot this partnership and bring additional monitoring options to the families and providers we serve." Owlet also recently announced that it will provide BabySat on 1NaturalWay.com.
Provider Tyler Riddle lobbies for payment parity for Georgia Medicaid
ATLANTA – Tyler Riddle, CEO of MRS Homecare, appeared before the Georgia House Health Appropriations Subcommittee on Feb. 10 to request that Medicaid rate floor language be included in the fiscal year 2027 state budget, ACMESA reports. Speaking on behalf of Georgia’s HME providers, Riddle reinforced the critical importance of Medicaid payment parity for durable medical equipment (DME) under Georgia managed care organizations – a key priority for ensuring patient access and provider sustainability statewide, the association says. “Tyler’s testimony is the direct result of coordinated lobbying efforts, strategic engagement, and the hard work of our dedicated lobbyist team,” ACMESA stated in an email bulletin. “Their leadership continues to open doors, advance critical conversations, and ensure our industry’s voice is heard under the Gold Dome.” ACMESA published the news in an “Advocacy in Action: Your Voice Matters” email.
DwellSafe partners with Duke to improve home accessibility for individuals with low vision
RALEIGH, N.C. - DwellSafe has signed a memorandum of understanding with Duke University School of Medicine to support a student-driven Duke Bass Connections project, “Home Design for the Visually Impaired.” This effort aims to advance innovation, translational research, and evidence-based solutions that improve home safety and accessibility for individuals with low vision. “This collaboration advances our mission to treat the home as part of the clinical encounter, so more people, regardless of age, ability, or location, have access to expert-backed, evidence-based guidance,” said Dr. James Taylor, CEO of DwellSafe. “We look forward to working with Duke to develop and evaluate tools that improve safety, accessibility, and independence for people with visual impairment.” The student project builds on pioneering clinical and research work led by Dr. Diane Whitaker, assistant professor of Ophthalmology, and Omar Mohiuddin, OTR/L, MS, MPH, CLVT, an occupational therapist, at the Duke Eye Center in Durham, N.C. A joint steering committee will oversee initiatives such as developing improved assessment criteria for occupational therapists, creating educational home-safety resources for individuals with low vision, jointly evaluating innovative technologies including AI-enabled tools, supporting translational research and co-developing enabling resources and grant proposals, and coordinating strategies for knowledge transfer, scale-up, and broad public access to validated home-safety solutions.
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