In brief: Oxygen access issues, wearable adoption barriers, N.C. rate floor
By HME News Staff
Updated 10:13 AM CDT, Thu July 2, 2026
WASHINGTON – Limited access to high-flow home oxygen is delaying hospital discharges and adding costs and risks for patients and the health care system, according to a national survey by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). In the survey, 94% of 54 respiratory clinicians at 40 medical centers nationwide reported at least one discharge delay per month related to oxygen access issues. One-third reported six or more patients experiencing delays each month. Most delays added two or more days to a patient’s hospital stay. Sixty-nine percent of respondents cited insurance approval delays, and 67% reported an inability by suppliers to provide high-flow oxygen systems, including liquid oxygen, as primary barriers to discharge. “These patients are medically ready to go home,” said Nick Kolaitis, MD. “The barrier is access to the right equipment, and this data makes clear it is not an isolated problem – it is happening at medical centers across the country.” Patients with pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, COPD and those awaiting lung transplants often require high-flow supplemental oxygen. The association says widely available portable oxygen concentrators cannot meet that need, while liquid oxygen systems, which provide high-flow oxygen in a lightweight, portable format, have become less available because many suppliers no longer provide them due to inadequate reimbursement from Medicare and other payers. The survey was distributed by the American Lung Association, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, the COPD Foundation and the Foundation for Scleroderma Research, and results were presented at PHA’s 2026 International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions in Dallas. Responses were collected from Oct. 14 through Nov. 18, 2025.
AMA survey finds barriers to wearable data adoption
CHICAGO – While interest in wearable health technologies is high, their integration into routine clinical care continues to be limited by workflow, reimbursement and trust issues, according to a new international survey from the American Medical Association (AMA). The 2026 International Physician Survey on Consumer Wearables, conducted by the AMA’s Center for Digital Health and AI and Medscape, surveyed 2,222 physicians in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. Most physicians, 97%, reported reviewing wearable data in some capacity, and large majorities said data from smartwatches, fitness trackers and biosensors offer at least some clinical advantage for patient care. Still, no country reported wearable-data integration rates above 6%, with adoption shaped more by reimbursement, workflow feasibility and regulatory conditions than by physician interest. “Physicians are seeing more wearable data in their daily practice and recognize its significant potential to improve clinical decision-making,” said AMA President Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH. “Across six advanced economies, however, intertwined regulatory, reimbursement, and implementation barriers leave potentially transformative data from being fully integrated into routine practice.” The survey found cardiologists and endocrinologists were most likely to use wearable data in clinical care, while primary care physicians, neurologists and pulmonologists reported greater challenges related to relevance, reliability and practicality. Integrated physicians reported greater confidence in interpreting wearable data and stronger trust in its accuracy, while nonintegrated physicians cited concerns about liability, false positives and workflow burden.
Glucotrack receives patent allowance for implantable CBGM platform
RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Glucotrack has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application covering its implantable continuous blood glucose monitoring platform. The application, titled “Methods and Systems for Continuously Monitoring the Glucose Level of a Patient,” expands intellectual property protection for the company’s fully implantable CBGM system as it advances toward commercialization. The filing follows three CBGM patents issued by the USPTO in late 2025 and further protects key technologies across Glucotrack’s sensor architecture, the company says. “This allowed application strengthens the protection around key elements of our CBGM, including novel sensor architectures designed to support long-term intravascular glucose monitoring,” said Paul V. Goode, PhD, president and CEO of Glucotrack. “Continuing to build our intellectual property is fundamental to our strategy as we advance the fully implantable system through clinical testing and toward commercialization.” The allowed claims cover implantable glucose monitoring systems that use an intravascular sensing lead coupled to an electronics assembly, including device architectures and methods designed to operate within the vasculature to support long-term glucose monitoring. They also cover electrode configurations, lead-based sensing structures and associated implantation methods for continuous glucose measurement. Glucotrack’s CBGM is a long-term implantable system with no wearable component, designed for up to three years of continuous blood glucose monitoring. The device measures glucose directly from blood, unlike traditional continuous glucose monitoring systems, which measure glucose from interstitial fluid. The CBGM is investigational and limited by federal law to investigational use.
American Lung Association launches COPD support program
CHICAGO – The American Lung Association has launched a free program to help people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease better manage symptoms, understand treatment options and improve quality of life. “Though there is no cure for COPD, treatments like supplemental oxygen, inhalers and medication, as well as lifestyle changes, can help control symptoms and improve disease management,” said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association. “But managing COPD can be overwhelming, and too many people don’t know where to begin.” The Lung Health Navigator program offers free one-on-one support from health care providers, including registered nurses and respiratory therapists, by phone, live online chat and video calls. Navigators provide personalized guidance on treatment options, when to seek a second opinion and how to navigate insurance coverage. The program also includes new educational content for people with moderate to severe COPD and those returning home after a hospitalization for an exacerbation, as well as resources for health care providers to improve early diagnosis and COPD care. The Lung Association is also expanding partner referral networks in states with some of the highest COPD Medicare hospitalization rates, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia.
Insulet launches Omnipod 5 in Spain
ACTON, Mass. – Insulet has launched its Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System and Omnipod Discover data management platform in Spain, expanding its European footprint. Spain is the 26th country where Insulet sells Omnipod and the 20th country where Omnipod 5 is available. “We’re thrilled to introduce Omnipod 5 with Omnipod Discover to Spain – an important and dynamic market where we see a meaningful opportunity to support people with diabetes and the healthcare professionals who care for them,” said Pat Crannell, senior vice president and international general manager. “Our continued international expansion – including the launch of Omnipod 5 in 15 countries over the last 18 months – reflects the strength of our global growth strategy and passion of our teams.” In Spain, Omnipod 5 is indicated for people ages 2 and older with Type 1 diabetes and is compatible with Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor and Dexcom’s G7 sensor. Insulet says it is working with health authorities, evaluation bodies and autonomous communities in Spain to support progressive and equitable access in compliance with regulatory and reimbursement requirements. The company also launched Omnipod Discover in Spain. The web-based platform provides retrospective data analytics and reporting for Omnipod 5 users, caregivers and health care providers, turning diabetes data into reports designed to support therapy discussions and more personalized care, the company says. Omnipod Discover first launched in five Middle Eastern countries in early 2026.
OxyGo names vice president of revenue
ORLANDO, Fla. – OxyGo has named David Hicks vice president of revenue, effective mid-July. In the executive leadership role, Hicks will oversee marketing, sales and customer care across the OxyGo family of brands, including Applied Home Healthcare Equipment, LIFE Corporation and OxyGo. “David’s experience, strategic vision and customer-centric approach will further strengthen our marketing, sales and customer care teams as we continue to build an exceptional customer experience,” said Chris Carter, CEO of OxyGo. “We are excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to the positive impact he will have across our organization and for the customers we serve.” Hicks brings more than 20 years of experience across the health care, medical device and capital equipment industries. In his new role, Hicks will lead the company’s revenue strategy, strengthen collaboration across commercial teams and support OxyGo’s continued growth. Hicks previously served as vice president of sales for CAREstream America, where he led sales initiatives across eight states and helped expand the company’s presence within major health care systems. His background also includes senior roles with Laerdal Medical, ALLM North America, Surgical Information Systems, Vyaire Medical and Cardinal Health.
ACMESA secures extension of Medicaid fee schedule floor
RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina General Assembly has approved the state budget, securing an additional two-year extension of the Medicaid fee schedule floor, the Atlantic Coast Medical Equipment Services Association (ACMESA) reports. The protection will now remain in effect through June 30, 2029. “This positive outcome was only possible through the hard work, relentless dedication, and strategic collaboration of our provider network, advocates, and lobbyists,” ACMESA said in an announcement. “By standing united, we successfully ensured that providers can continue to operate and deliver essential care across North Carolina.” Under the extension, reimbursement rates will continue to be set at 100% of the lesser of the supplier’s usual and customary rate or the maximum allowable Medicaid fee-for-service rate. Earlier this year, Gov. Josh Stein signed HB696 into law, providing an initial extension of the rate floor through June 30, 2027. The new budget extends that protection by another two years, a move ACMESA called “another huge win” for the industry, patients and the association. While the extension provides needed stability, ACMESA says more work remains to secure legislative and regulatory changes to protect providers and patients. The association is asking members to continue supporting its advocacy fund to help maintain momentum and support future efforts. Providers interested in getting involved can contact Beth Bowen at ACMESA at: beth@atlanticcoastmesa.org
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