In brief: Philips vent update, NHIA parenteral report, oxygen e-prescribing

AMSTERDAM – Philips has updated the use instructions for BiPAP V30, A30 and A40 ventilators due to the risk of a failure in the Ventilator Inoperative alarm, which may cause therapy interruption or loss. 

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the device may: 

• Reboot intermittently for 5-10 seconds (stopping therapy, blank screen, single audible alert), then restart with the same patient settings. 

• Reboot intermittently for 5-10 seconds (stopping therapy, blank screen, single audible alert), then restart with factory default settings. 

• Enter a Ventilator Inoperative state (therapy stopped, audible and visual alarms present) after three reboots within 24 hours, or without a preceding reboot. 

These issues can result in therapy interruption or loss, potentially leading to hypoventilation, hypoxemia, hypercarbia, respiratory failure, or death in vulnerable patients. 

There have been 13 reported injuries. There have been eight reports of death, according to the FDA. 

NHIA report: Costs up, reimbursement down for parenteral nutrition 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) has published a white paper examining the economic challenges facing home parenteral nutrition (HPN) services. The report, “Ensuring Sustainable Access to Home Parenteral Nutrition (PN): The Cost Crisis and Path Forward,” documents cost trends and reimbursement patterns affecting this therapy. 

HPN serves approximately 32,000 Americans annually who cannot absorb nutrients through their gastrointestinal tract due to medical conditions. While HPN reduces health care costs by 32-36% compared to hospital-based care, providers face increasing economic pressures. 

NHIA’s analysis shows that costs to prepare HPN rose by a compounded 75.4% from 2016 to 2024, while average reimbursement for PN services (inclusive of nursing and non-compounded drugs) declined from 2022 to 2024. This gap between expenses and reimbursement has contributed to a 15.6% average annual decrease in the number of home infusion pharmacies submitting HPN claims over the past three years. 

Contributing factors 

The white paper identifies several factors affecting HPN economics: 

• Supply chain issues: 17 of the 24 ingredients used to compound HPN have appeared on shortage lists in the past two years 

• Regulatory changes: The FDA’s Unapproved Drug Initiative led to price increases for certain components, including IV selenium, which increased from $2.13 to $23.25 per day for a typical patient 

• Operating costs: Labor costs rose 21.1% from February 2020 to February 2024, while USP <797> sterile compounding requirements require investments in facilities and training 

• Service requirements: Pharmacists spend an average of 42 minutes per HPN patient daily, excluding time from nurses, dietitians, and other team members. 

Recommendations 

NHIA’s white paper proposes immediate and long-term strategies to address these challenges. Near-term recommendations include adjusting payment rates to reflect current costs and considering alternative coding methodologies. Long-term solutions involve exploring value-based payment models that balance quality outcomes with provider sustainability. 

The report notes that some states have begun addressing these issues, with Colorado recently passing legislation to increase Medicaid payment for HPN administrative services. NHIA encourages stakeholders to review the analysis and consider similar approaches to maintain access to this therapy. 

Access the White Paper 

Insulet reports ‘robust’ quarter 

ACTON, Mass. - Insulet reported revenue of $649.1 million for the second quarter of 2025, up 32.9% compared to the same period last year.  

Total Omnipod revenue was $639 million, up 33%. Of that, U.S. Omnipod revenue was $453.2 million, up 28.7%, and international Omnipod revenue was $185.8 million, up 45%. Adjusted EBITDA was $157.5 million. 

“We delivered robust second quarter results, reflecting our team’s strong performance and the compelling impact and appeal of Omnipod 5 for people living with diabetes,” said Ashley McEvoy, president and CEO. “Engaging with our partners, physicians, investors and Podders this quarter has demonstrated our opportunity to revolutionize diabetes management and the value of our unique position at the nexus of consumer health, medtech and health tech. As we scale the company, I’m confident in our ability to grow and create value for all our stakeholders in the future.” 

McEvoy was recently named to the role, succeeding Jim Hollingshead. 

Recent strategic highlights: 

• Announced Omnipod 5 App for iPhone compatible with Dexcom’s G7 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) sensor fully available in the U.S. 

• Integrated Omnipod 5 with Dexcom’s G7 CGM sensor in Germany and Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus CGM sensor in Australia. 

• Collaborated with Marvel to launch comic book hero, Dyasonic, who lives with Type 1 diabetes. 

Numotion launches ALLY program for catheter users 

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Numotion Medical Supply has launched the ALLY Program to support individuals who use catheters in managing their bladder health. The program offers vital resources, education and connection – all in one place. Much of the content is created by Numotion Medical Supply account managers, wheelchair users and medical supply educators, ensuring that resources are not only clinically sound but also deeply relatable and grounded in lived experience, the company says. “Our customers are looking for more than just supplies, they want trusted information, relatable stories, and connection,” said Amber Foster, vice president of sales for Numotion Medical Supply. “The ALLY Program was designed to meet those needs by creating a space that truly supports the whole person.” 

Key features of the ALLY Program include: 

• The ALLY Podcast: Real stories and authentic conversations about living with catheterization and related health issues. 

• Live webinars: Monthly virtual events featuring practical guidance, product innovations and Q&A sessions. 

• Downloadable tools & guides: Designed to make daily life easier and more manageable. 

• Coming soon: A virtual peer-to-peer community where members can connect, share experiences and build relationships 

 To learn more or join the ALLY Program, visit https://catheters.numotion.com/ally/. 

Senate Appropriations Committee urges e-prescribing for oxygen 

WASHINGTON – The Senate Appropriations Committee has released a report that includes guidance to CMS to advance the use of e-prescribing for supplemental oxygen. The guidance, which accompanies FY 2025 appropriations legislation for the Department of Health and Human Services, is included on page 206 of the report: 

Supplemental Oxygen — The Committee notes that in 2018, CMS developed a set of clinical data elements to identify the data necessary to support medical necessity of supplemental oxygen claims and allow for electronic prescribing of supplemental oxygen. CMS has not approved of the use of this electronic template, and the clinical data elements template and electronic prescribing has yet to be implemented. Within 60 days of enactment of this act, the Committee directs CMS to provide a briefing on updates to the ePrescribing of supplemental oxygen, including a process and timeline for provider adoption. The briefing should also include information on CMS’s efforts to work with community stakeholders to improve access to supplemental oxygen. 

AAHomecare states this language is not reflected in the initial appropriations bill draft (and does not have the force of law), but it does send a message to CMS that the Appropriations Committee would like to see the agency implement it. See the full report here. 
 
AAHomecare introduces breastfeeding toolkit 

ARLINGTON, Va. – AAHomecare has developed a new Breastfeeding Month Toolkit to help home medical equipment (HME) providers put maternal and child health in the spotlight. The toolkit, in honor of National Breastfeeding Month, is designed to help amplify the message of breastfeeding support across digital platforms and engage patients, community and stakeholders. It includes social media graphics, prewritten posts and key educational resources to promote the importance of breastfeeding and the role HME providers play in supporting nursing families. The language also supports maintaining strong access to breast pumps and supplies. Access the Breastfeeding Toolkit at aahomecare.org/National-Breastfeeding-Month-Toolkit. 

• Related: Aeroflow Health applauds Maine’s new law supporting new mothers with tax-free medical equipment 

NCART releases call to action for upcoming CRT Awareness Week 

WASHINGTON – NCART has released more details about CRT Awareness Week, which will kick off on Aug. 18. “We need to have everyone – consumers, manufacturers, suppliers, caregivers, clinicians and advocacy groups – participate and get the word out about CRT and the importance for regulators and insurance companies to understand how crucial access to proper equipment and services is for consumers,” the organization stated in a bulletin. The schedule for the week: 

• Aug. 18, CRT Consumer Day 

• Aug. 19, CRT Advocacy Day 

• Aug. 20, CRT Clinician Day 

• Aug. 21, CRT Provider Day 

• Aug. 22, CRT Manufacturer Day 

NCART says to use the hash tag #CRTAwareness on social media posts so it can see and amplify them.  

• Related: Personal stories to power CRT Week. 

Ottobock, Baylor to host STRIVE 

HOUSTON – Ottobock has announced a strategic collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine's Orthotics & Prosthetics Program to host STRIVE by Ottobock, a three-day seminar for O&P residents. The program combines hands-on training, expert mentorship and exposure to leading Ottobock technologies. Through this partnership, attendees will gain early access to Ottobock's immersive training modules, hands-on exposure to advanced product lines, and a powerful network of peers and industry experts, all intended to elevate clinical expertise and fuel innovation across O&P care. "At Ottobock, we believe that investment in education is the bedrock of innovation in orthotics and prosthetics,” said Mark Profeta, education specialist at Ottobock North America. “STRIVE is designed to equip tomorrow's leaders with technical fluency, clinical confidence, and connection to like-minded peers. Collaborating with Baylor College of Medicine, one of the nation's top medical and allied health institutions, cements our shared commitment to building a future ready O&P workforce." Registration for STRIVE by Ottobock opens Aug. 6. More details and the registration link can be found here. 

American Diabetes Association turns 85 

ARLINGTON, Va. - This month, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) celebrates 85 years of dedicated work toward its vision of a future free from diabetes and all its burdens. Since the organization’s creation in 1940, the ADA has been a part of extraordinary advancements in diabetes research, knowledge, treatment and care. “There has been tremendous progress made in the fight to end diabetes,” said Charles “Chuck” Henderson, CEO. “Every new research finding, every advancement in treatment, every policy win – it all matters in the lives of those living with diabetes. We look forward to building on the advancements of the last 85 years as the ADA remains steadfast in our mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.” The ADA’s milestones include opening the first ADA Camp in 1949 – these camps now serve nearly 3,300 children and families across the nation each year – and, in 1984, publishing the first National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES), establishing a framework for high-quality diabetes education.