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In brief: Medline responds to fire, former Drive execs return to HME, Florida cracks down

In brief: Medline responds to fire, former Drive execs return to HME, Florida cracks down

TRACY, Calif. – Medline is prioritizing supporting its team after a fire impacted its distribution facility in Tracy, Calif., on June 11.

The company says all employees and on-site personnel have been safely evacuated and accounted for.

“We have connected with nearly all affected employees and are offering onsite and local support, resources including financial support and counseling services, and continued communication as we work through next steps together,” the company stated in an update on its website.

Medline says it is all focused on continuing to serve customers in northern California and beyond.

The company set up a command center on the day of the fire and has been working continuously 24 hours a day to maintain service and execute its network contingency plan, which includes secondary and tertiary distribution centers.

“Medical products previously distributed through the Tracy facility have already been reassigned, and the vast majority of order lines have been rerouted to other Medline distribution centers within our regional network to support our customers’ needs,” it stated. “We have also boosted regional staffing, regional inventory and transportation capacity through increased use of MedTrans trucks, third-party carriers, and truck relay operations to accelerate product movement throughout the impacted region.”

MedPAC reports on Medicare payment incentives, enrollment decisions & more

WASHINGTON – The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) has released its June 2026 Report to Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System to highlight issues affecting the Medicare program, as well as broader changes in health care delivery and the market for health care services. The report includes six chapters:

  • Improving payment incentives in Medicare: We describe incentives in fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare, alternative payment models (APMs), and Medicare Advantage (MA) and challenges in improving them.
  • The complexity of Medicare enrollment decisions for beneficiaries: We explore the complex coverage choices that beneficiaries must make during initial and subsequent Medicare enrollment periods as well as the various resources available to help make those decisions.
  • Medicare payment operations and their role in identifying improper payments: We detail the processes for making payments to Medicare providers and the measures in place to identify and reduce improper payments and fraud.
  • Estimated association between Medicare Advantage enrollment and hospitals’ and post-acute care providers’ finances: We examine how changes in MA enrollment are associated with the finances of various health care providers, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), home health agencies (HHAs), and inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs).
  • Access to hospice and certain complex palliative services for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease or cancer: We describe potential approaches to improve the accuracy of Medicare’s hospice payments and address potential concerns about access to certain complex palliative services for hospice beneficiaries.
  • Assessment of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System: We assess and analyze information recently collected by CMS from ground ambulance service providers and recommend the continued collection of such data, though with a more streamlined approach to focus on data essential to assessing the accuracy of Medicare payments and Medicare beneficiaries’ access to care.

Read an executive summary of the report here.

Jumao, Homed partner to build POC portfolio

GRAFTON, Ohio – Jiangsu Jumao X-Care Medical has announced an exclusive strategic partnership with Shenzhen Homed Medical Device to design, manufacture and distribute a comprehensive portfolio of portable oxygen concentrators (POCs). All products under this partnership will be added to Jumao’s existing respiratory product platform and be manufactured and sold exclusively by Jumao. The expanded and enhanced product line will be brought to market directly through distributors from Jumao, led by Harvey Diamond, Jeffrey Schwartz and Richard Kolodny, who serve as managing directors of Jumao's U.S. affiliate, Inspyre Health Systems. "Demand for portable and stationary oxygen concentrators is growing at an unprecedented pace," said Yao, founder and CEO of Jumao. "Homed brings additional technological depth, engineering capacity, and innovation to the Jumao platform — accelerating our ability to manufacture and deliver an expanded and enhanced range of portable oxygen solutions to the global market." Key advancements of the new Jumao platform include:

  • Easy-access sieve beds that simplify field service and dramatically reduce downtime
  • Premium-grade compressors and components manufactured to the highest tolerances in the industry
  • Extended battery capacity across the full product line
  • Class-leading oxygen delivery performance metrics
  • Five-year replacement warranty program unmatched in the category

Florida launches Medicaid fraud crack down initiative

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a Medicaid integrity initiative that includes enhanced provider screening, advanced fraud detection technology, enrollment controls for high-risk provider categories, and a statewide revalidation of all active Medicaid providers.

“In Florida, we work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and that public programs serve the people they are intended to serve,” he said.

The Trump Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have called on states to increase oversight, strengthen provider screening, and remove fraudulent actors from Medicaid programs.

As part of Florida’s Medicaid integrity initiative, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) will:

  • Launch a pilot program with SentiLink: AHCA will partner with SentiLink to strengthen provider screening and detect sophisticated fraud schemes, including stolen identities, synthetic identities and hidden ownership structures before taxpayer dollars are lost.
  • Implement enrollment moratoriums for high-risk provider categories: AHCA has imposed enrollment moratoriums on certain high-risk provider categories, including durable medical equipment suppliers and adult day care providers, while the agency strengthens screening procedures and oversight.
  • Conduct a comprehensive statewide provider revalidation effort: All active Florida Medicaid providers will be required to revalidate their credentials and identities. Providers who fail to comply or do not meet program requirements will be removed from the Medicaid program.
  • Enhance claims monitoring and enforcement efforts: AHCA will deploy additional tools to identify potentially fraudulent billing practices and work with state partners to support investigations, enforcement actions, and victim protection efforts.

DeSantis says the initiative represents one of the most significant anti-fraud efforts undertaken by the state and reflects its continued commitment to protecting taxpayers while ensuring Medicaid resources are available for those who legitimately need them.

FDA gives greenlight to Dexcom OTC CGM

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared for marketing the first over-the-counter (OTC) continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for children: Dexcom’s Stelo Glucose Biosensor System, an integrated CGM (iCGM) indicated for people two years of age and older who do not use insulin. The FDA previously cleared the Stelo Glucose Biosensor System OTC for individuals 18 years and older in March 2024. “Children deserve access to the best tools available to manage their health," said Michelle Tarver, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "Today's clearance reflects the FDA's commitment to fostering innovation for pediatric patients and supporting the safe and effective use of medical devices where children live, learn, and play.” Stelo is indicated for children, including those with diabetes, who receive oral medication to manage their condition and people who want to understand how diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes affect their glucose levels. The system uses a wearable sensor, paired with an application installed on a compatible smartphone, or other smart device, such as a parent’s or caregiver’s smartphone, to continuously measure, record, analyze and display glucose values. Each sensor lasts for up to 15 days before it must be replaced, although sensor wear time may be shorter in pediatric users than in adults due to several interconnected physiological and behavioral factors. The app displays glucose measurements and trends every 15 minutes.

ProSomnus, MonitAir collaborate to facilitate clinical visibility into OSA

SAN FRANCISCO – ProSomnus Sleep Technologies and MonitAir, a digital health and telemonitoring platform for sleep medicine, have collaborated to support connected, longitudinal and personalized care for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Through this collaboration, healthcare providers who prescribe a ProSomnus RPMO₂ OSA Device will be able to view, organize and remotely monitor patient data within the MonitAir platform. The companies say the integration is intended to facilitate clinical visibility into patient status over multiple nights and to support coordination of care across clinical workflows. “Despite well-documented health, quality of life, and economic consequences, OSA remains undertreated due to fundamental limitations in how the condition is measured and managed – including night-to-night variability, reliance on frequency-based metrics that may not fully reflect health risk, and limited connectivity between patients and providers,” said Len Liptak, CEO of ProSomnus Sleep Technologies. “Our collaboration with MonitAir is designed to address these limitations in OSA care by enabling longitudinal remote monitoring of physiologic data generated by the ProSomnus RPMO₂ OSA Device—supporting a more connected, data-driven, and personalized approach to care and helping expand access to treatment.” The ProSomnus RPMO₂ OSA Device, which has Class II clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), incorporates a pulse oximeter embedded into the buccal mucosal region of a maxillary dental overlay, intended to measure, display, store, and transmit oxygen saturation and pulse rate. The device is designed for continuous data collection during use in clinical and home settings.

AASM names new board president

BALTIMORE – Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, medical director of sleep medicine at Millenium Physician Group, was named president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) board of directors during SLEEP 2026 in Baltimore. In her role, she will represent the organization’s 9,500 members spanning physicians, scientists, and other health care professionals, to drive collaboration and advance key initiatives across the field of sleep medicine. “I have a strong interest in advocating for practical changes and advancements that will enable sleep clinicians in diverse settings to thrive and deliver high-quality care,” said Abbasi-Feinberg. “Sleep and circadian care are fundamental to health care, so sleep clinicians have a vital role to play in our health care system. We need to ensure that health care policies and regulations value sleep care and empower sleep clinicians to excel in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.” Abbasi-Feinberg brings a depth of institutional leadership to the role, having served on the AASM board of directors since June 2019. Her involvement with the AASM includes prior service as chair of both the Coding and Compliance Committee and the Alternative Payment Models Task Force. She has also served as the AASM advisor to the American Medical Association’s Relative Value Scale Update Committee, and she is recognized as a national expert on coding and reimbursement in the field of sleep medicine.

VGM guide provides clear path to accreditation readiness

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates has released a comprehensive accreditation guide, a practical, all-in-one resource designed to help VGM members streamline accreditation preparation and build a more consistent, repeatable approach to compliance. Developed in partnership with the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation (HQAA), the guide provides step-by-step guidance across the full accreditation cycle – from pre-survey preparation to accreditation day and post-visit corrections – giving providers a clear path to readiness and compliance. “VGM is here to make the complex feel manageable; your go-to resource you can turn to for straightforward answers, trusted guidance, and ongoing support as requirements evolve,” said Lindy Tentinger, President of VGM & Associates. “This guide is just one extension of that commitment to support you through every step of your accreditation journey.” The resource includes key components, such as:

  • A repeatable 90-day accreditation preparation timeline
  • Comprehensive checklists for documentation and survey readiness
  • Best practices and real-world guidance providers can apply immediately
  • Additional resources to support ongoing compliance and readiness

The guide also includes insights on accreditation updates, staff training, compliance requirements, and operational readiness. VGM members can download “Your Guide to Annual Accreditation” by clicking here.

ITEM Coalition launches website, petition to halt bid program

WASHINGTON – The ITEM Coalition, a consortium of more than 100 leading national consumer and clinician groups, has launched KeepThemOUT.org as a resource for its members to learn about Medicare’s competitive bidding program, receive updates and take action. The ITEM Coalition has also invited all stakeholders – end users, caregivers, family members, colleagues and other allied groups – to sign a petition in solidarity with the disability community that calls on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Congress to halt or delay the implementation of the program. The United Spinal Association will also host its virtual Roll on Capitol Hill event on June 24th to mobilize advocates on competitive bidding and other key priorities. AAHomecare has encouraged its members to sign the petition, share it with their communities, and amplify these resources through communication channels.

AAH releases infographics highlighting impact of financial pressures

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare’s Medical Supplies Council has released a new series of market impact infographics highlighting the mounting financial pressure HME suppliers face across multiple product categories, including continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and infusion pumps, enteral nutrition and supplies, incontinence supplies, wound care supplies, ostomy and urological supplies. “The survey results illustrate what is happening across our industry,” said Cadie McGonagill, senior director of payer relations. “They are not anecdotal, but grounded in real, measurable data – precisely the type of information that should be shared with your payer partners. By sharing our supplier cost and supply chain disruptions, we hope to work collaboratively with payers toward reimbursement models that reflect the true cost of delivering care.” The infographics, based on nationwide survey findings, reveal that while an overwhelming majority of respondents report increases in labor, shipping and product costs, nearly 95% reported receiving no reimbursement increases from payers during the past 12 months (excluding Medicare CPI-U adjustments). They also reveal many respondents are considering or actively planning to exit certain categories due to ongoing financial pressures, including:

  • 59% of enteral nutrition/supplies suppliers
  • 44% of ostomy/urological suppliers
  • 43% of CGMs/infusion pumps suppliers
  • Nearly one in five wound care suppliers
  • Nearly one in five incontinence suppliers

AAHomecare encourages members to leverage these infographics in their education and advocacy efforts.

VGM Canada announces event dates, new Kids Zone

TORONTO – VGM Canada has announced that the Canadian Seating & Mobility Conference (CSMC) will take place Sept. 15-16 in Toronto 2026. This year’s conference will feature a lineup of key industry partners, including Amylior, Pride Mobility, Permobil, Sunrise Medical, Etac – more than 50 exhibitors in all. “These organizations continue to innovate and shape the future of seating and mobility solutions, and their presence at CSMC ensures attendees will experience the latest advancements, hands-on demonstrations, and meaningful clinical discussions,” said Dave Davies, president of VGM Canada. CSMC has brough together occupational therapists, physiotherapists, assistive technology professionals, researchers, suppliers and manufacturers committed to advance mobility and accessibility care across Canada for more than four decades. New to CSMC this year is the Kids Zone, an interactive space designed specifically for pediatric mobility and rehab. This area will welcome children and families, pediatric therapists and clinicians, and rehab providers and equipment specialists. Visitors will have the opportunity to try adaptive equipment, explore innovations, and participate in fun, educational activities. "We are excited to introduce the Kids Zone at the show this year. This dedicated space will focus entirely on families' and children's needs, featuring top pediatric product suppliers,” said Davies. “It’s a fresh, outside-the-box initiative for us, but we feel it is a crucial step forward in making our event more inclusive, supportive, and impactful for everyone.” Additional details, including session schedules, speakers, and event programming, will be released in the coming months. For the latest updates, please visit www.csmc.ca.

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