In brief: Resmed evolves brand, Walgreens sells to PE, pharmacy hosts FTC chair
By HME News Staff
Updated 8:20 AM CDT, Wed March 12, 2025
SAN DIEGO – Resmed has launched a rebrand to unify its portfolio and reflect its increasing direct-to-consumer engagement.
As part of the rebrand, Resmed plans to consolidate its brands, products and services under a single Resmed brand over the next couple of years, creating a more streamlined view for both consumers and health care providers.
“We are at a pivotal moment in health – sleep and breathing health are gaining the attention once reserved for diet and exercise, with consumers taking a more proactive role in their care,” said Katrin Pucknat, Resmed’s chief marketing officer. “Our brand evolution is more than a new look – it’s a bold step forward in our strategy to make sleep and breathing health a mainstream priority in global healthcare.”
The rebrand is accompanied by a new visual identity, redesigned logo and refreshed brand voice, reinforcing Resmed’s position as an approachable, people-centered and forward-thinking health technology company, the company says.
It also coincides with three major market-facing initiatives at Resmed:
- The company’s first U.S. consumer campaign aimed at destigmatizing CPAP therapy and positioning sleep health as more approachable
- A targeted primary care physician (PCP) education campaign starting in the U.S. to help drive earlier diagnosis and intervention for sleep apnea
- A sleep health awareness campaign in key markets in Asia Pacific and Europe focused on helping to overcome the barriers to seeking treatment for sleep apnea
“Resmed has evolved beyond its origins as a CPAP device and mask manufacturer,” said Mick Farrell, Resmed’s chairman and CEO. “Our new brand reflects who we are today – a global leader in health technology, delivering solutions that help people rise to their full potential through better sleep and breathing, with care delivered in the home. With this evolution, we are reaffirming our commitment to empowering 500 million people worldwide to achieve their full health potential by 2030 and changing the delivery of health care.”
Viemed posts record-breaking 2024
LAFAYETTE, La. – Viemed Healthcare reported record net revenues of $60.7 million for its fourth quarter 2024, an increase of 20% over the same quarter in 2023.
Total net revenues for the year were a record $224.3 million, an increase of $41.2 million, or 23% over the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter and the year were $14.2 million and a record $51.1 million, respectively.
“We once again demonstrated our value as a vital link between patients, providers, and payers for complex respiratory services with fourth quarter results meeting the high end of our expectations and maintaining a track record of strong organic growth and profitability, while at the same time enhancing the balance sheet,” said CEO Casey Hoyt. “The sequential improvement in our operational metrics throughout 2024 reinforces the momentum we have established with hard-won improvements in our sales force and diversification of the business. Likewise, the continued demand for our high-touch, technology-enabled clinical approach in a regulatory environment that stresses efficiency, home care, transparency and compliance gives us greater confidence in our value proposition.”
Viemed released the following guidance for 2025:
- Net revenue for the year is expected to be in the range of $254 million to $265 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA for the year is expected to be in the range of $54 million to $58 million.
Walgreens taken private by turnaround expert
DEERFIELD, Ill., and NEW YORK – Walgreens Boots Alliance has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an entity affiliated with private equity firm Sycamore Partners for up to $23.7 billion.
Leveraging WBA’s health care expertise and Sycamore’s established leadership in retail and consumer services, WBA will be better positioned to become the first choice for pharmacy, retail and health services, the companies say.
“While we are making progress against our ambitious turnaround strategy, meaningful value creation will take time, focus and change that is better managed as a private company,” said Tim Wentworth, CEO, WBA. “Sycamore will provide us with the expertise and experience of a partner with a strong track record of successful retail turnarounds. The WBA board considered all these factors in evaluating this transaction, and we believe this agreement provides shareholders premium cash value, with the ability to benefit from additional value creation going forward from monetization of the VillageMD businesses.”
The transaction agreement does provide for a so-called “go-shop” period, during which WBA, with the assistance of Centerview Partners, its financial advisor, will actively solicit, and depending on interest, potentially receive, evaluate and enter into negotiations with parties that offer alternative proposals. The initial go-shop period is 35 days.
The WBA board of directors, with Stefano Pessina and John Lederer recused from the deliberations and approval, has unanimously approved the proposed transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter calendar year 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by WBA shareholders and the receipt of required regulatory approvals.
Upon completion of the transaction, WBA’s common stock will no longer be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, and WBA will become a private company.
WBA will continue to operate under Walgreens, Boots and its trusted portfolio of consumer brands. It will maintain its headquarters in the Chicago area and continue contributing to the communities in which it operates.
Indie pharmacy hosts FTC chair
REMINGTON, Va. – Al Roberts and Travis Hale, the owners of Remington Drug Company in Remington, Va., hosted Andrew Ferguson, chair of the Federal Trade Commission, to illustrate the challenges posed by pharmacy benefit managers and emphasize the significant role independent pharmacies play in their communities.
Also present: B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association; Matthew Seiler, general counsel for NCPA; and Anne Cassity, senior vice president of government affairs for NCPA.
“We’re grateful to Chair Ferguson for taking the time to visit Remington Drug Company and see firsthand the effects of PBM manipulations like low reimbursements and anticompetitive take-it-or-leave-it contracting practices,” said Hoey. “While these tactics may benefit the massive middlemen and their shareholders, closures of independent pharmacies have averaged more than one a day over the last two years. Every time one closes, the health of people in that pharmacy’s community is jeopardized. And, the FTC’s reports show that consumers and taxpayers are paying billions of dollars more for prescription than they should. We’re encouraged that the FTC is continuing its investigation into PBMs under the chair’s leadership and continue urging both regulators and legislators for swift relief.”
Ferguson was one of four commissioners who voted in favor of issuing the agency's first interim staff report on the negative impacts of PBM practices on consumers and patients. The commission voted 5-0 to allow staff to issue a second report in January and in a concurrent statement about it, he said, "The commission still has more work to do on this Section 6(b) study. I remain committed to bringing it to a conclusion, culminating in a final report."
CorLife secures exclusive access to ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton
MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – CorLife, a division of Numotion, has become the exclusive distributor for Lifeward’s ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton for people with workers’ compensation claims. This agreement leverages CorLife’s extensive network of credentialed providers and experts to include the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton among the services and equipment they provide to thousands of injured workers each year. Additionally, it leverages CorLife’s reimbursement team, which will manage all workers’ compensation claims submissions for the product. “We are thrilled to expand our capabilities to better serve the needs of injured workers with SCI,” said Larry Jasinski, CEO of Lifeward. “Partnering with CorLife allows us to significantly increase awareness of the benefits of the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton among individuals with workers’ compensation and utilize CorLife’s established expertise to facilitate efficient processing of claims.” The ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton is a lower-body exoskeleton that enables paralyzed individuals with spinal cord injuries to stand and walk in everyday life. The companies say it is the only personal exoskeleton that offers the ability to ascend and descend stairs and curbs, making it the most accessible exoskeleton for use in real-world environments in the home and community setting.
United Spinal launches impact fund
NEW YORK – United Spinal Association has launched its Advocacy Impact Fund to defend disability rights and social programs that benefit people with disabilities. The fund will help provide the association with the resources to expand its nationwide Grassroots Advocacy Network to ensure that policymakers hear the needs and challenges of wheelchair users firsthand. "In these uncertain times, it's more critical than ever that our elected officials hear from the people they represent,” says Senior Director of Advocacy and Policy Steve Lieberman. “People with disabilities are a part of every community, and to ensure that we are heard, we are building a nationwide network of advocates that can't be ignored." The fund will also:
- Fund legal and policy action to challenge discriminatory laws and regulations.
- Support education campaigns to raise awareness and foster allyship.
- Provide resources and training to help wheelchair users become effective self-advocates.
Potential donors can contribute by texting Grassroots to 53555 or visiting the Advocacy Impact Fund landing page.
New York Medicaid increases access to standing frames
NEW YORK – HME stakeholders in New York have worked with the state’s Medicaid program to secure reimbursement increases for standing frame / table systems that support children with neuromuscular conditions that impair their ability to stand independently. Reimbursement for E0638 is now $3,264.65, up from $1,285.95; and reimbursement for E0641 is $3,526.92, up from $1,680.52. “New York’s children with profound medical needs now have access to the most medically appropriate adaptive standers, ensuring they receive the clinical benefits of this equipment,” said Derek Meier, government affairs director for Rifton Equipment. “This achievement stems from the collaborative efforts of AAHomecare, NEMEP, senate advocates and OHIP’s commitment to prioritizing the needs of children through thoughtful and responsive service.” The new reimbursement goes into effect April 1, 2025. Stakeholders say the increases will dramatically improve access to these vital, medically appropriate devices for children across New York. Standing frames, they say, are essential tools that support proper skeletal development, improve circulation, enhance respiratory function and promote social interaction by positioning users at eye level with their peers.
Dreem, Sunrise launch women’s health program
NEW YORK – Dreem Health, a digital sleep clinic managed by the Sunrise Group, has launched a women’s health program for women experiencing sleep issues due to pregnancy, PCOS, perimenopause, menopause and PMS. As part of the program, Dreem Health’s licensed providers will now evaluate their symptoms, diagnose their conditions using the Sunrise at-home sleep test device, and create a personalized treatment plan or refer them to a partner for further care. “As a company that is set to innovate the global sleep health market by ensuring disorders are adequately recognized, diagnosed, and treated, it was important for us to take a step back and identify who will best benefit from our care,” said Laurent Martinot, founder and CEO of Sunrise. “The relationship between a woman's hormones and her sleeping patterns have long been overlooked, even though the research is there. Through this targeted offering, we are underscoring our commitment to advancing sleep health, and now women’s health, by bringing much needed attention to a women’s health journey which often begins with sleep.” The launch of the program comes on the heels of Sunrise’s acquisition of Dreem Health's management in 2024. Dreem Health’s digital clinic is now accessible for patients in 35 states, with nationwide availability expected in the second half of 2025.
Prevounce Health hits RPM milestone
INDIANAPOLIS – Prevounce Health, a provider of remote care management software, devices and services, has announced that patients have now transmitted more than 15 million vital readings using the company’s Pylo remote patient monitoring devices. Pylo RPM devices, which include blood pressure monitors, weight scales, blood glucose meters and pulse oximeters, are clinically validated, come with 5G/4G-LTE cellular connectivity and seamlessly transmit readings to the Prevounce remote care platform or third-party platforms via API connectivity. "Achieving 15 million vital sign transmissions with Pylo devices reflects how connected care is transforming health care," says Lucy Lamboley, vice president of operations at Prevounce. "Every data point represents a patient receiving proactive, real-time support — helping avoid complications and improve outcomes. This milestone reinforces the power of seamless, reliable remote monitoring to make care more accessible and effective. It's also a testament to the commitment of the entire Prevounce team to delivering solutions and services that help improve the health of patients and success of providers." Patients use Pylo devices to collect and securely transmit health data like blood pressure, weight, blood glucose, oxygen saturation and pulse rate readings to their care teams. With this data, providers can identify potential health issues early and intervene promptly, preventing potential hospitalizations, the company says.
Signifier meets CMS requirements for reimbursement
LONDON – Signifier Medical Technologies Limited has introduced its newest SKU, 18010, which features a hardware remote control specifically designed to meet CMS requirements for reimbursement. The company says the development ensures that its eXciteOSA therapy can be more readily accessible for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. “eXciteOSA is a life-changing device helping patients address a root cause of sleep apnea and other sleep disorders,” said Mujtaba Chohan, head of finance and director at Signifier. “This milestone underscores our ongoing commitment to innovation, as well as our determination to expand treatment access through alignment with CMS requirements. Today’s announcement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our multidisciplinary teams, and I am proud of the progress we’ve made in ensuring that these therapies are available and affordable to as many people as possible.” By introducing this hardware remote control, Signifier has met the criteria to classify its eXciteOSA therapy under CMS HCPCS Codes (E0490 and E0491). The company says the remote control simplifies device usage for patients, offering a user-friendly interface that aligns with the DME requirements set forth by Medicare and Medicaid. It also maintains the same clinically proven efficacy and convenience.
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Related: Earlier this year, Signifier Medical announced eXciteOSA had been approved by Georgia Medicaid.
Doctor must pay $26M for fraudulent scripts for braces
DALLAS – Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has secured 10 years in federal prison and $26.6 million in restitution for Dr. David M. Young of Fredericksburg, Texas, who was sentenced for his role in a scheme to defraud government health care programs by prescribing DME and genetic tests without seeing treating patients. Young signed thousands of fraudulent prescriptions and medical records for unnecessary orthotic braces and cancer genetic testing for more than 13,000 Medicare beneficiaries – many of whom he never spoke to or examined—including undercover agents posing as patients, resulting in the fraudulent billing of more than $70 million to health care programs. “Medicaid fraud steals hundreds of millions from the taxpayers, and I will relentlessly pursue those who exploit these programs,” Paxton said. “This doctor will pay more than $26 million in restitution and spend 10 years in jail for his actions. In the past four years my office has recovered nearly $1 billion for Texas taxpayers and I will continue to do everything in my power to hold wrongdoers accountable.” Since 2020, the MFCU has recovered more than $990 million in settlements, judgments and restitution for Texas taxpayers. The MFCU receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $22.7 million for fiscal year 2024. The remaining 25%, totaling $7.5 million, is funded by the state of Texas.
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