In brief: Sleep think tank, Medicaid managed care fraud, diabetes reorg

SAN DIEGO – Resmed has launched the Sleep Institute, a global clinical insights initiative dedicated to advancing the science and understanding of sleep health. 

The company says the Sleep Institute partners with clinicians, researchers, policymakers and health system leaders to deliver objective, non-commercial, evidence-based insights that help inform care innovation, support policy decisions and elevate sleep as a global health priority.  

“Sleep Institute reflects Resmed’s commitment to advancing sleep health worldwide,” said Kimberly L. Sterling, vice president, health research at Resmed, on behalf of Sleep Institute. “It’s about moving from awareness to action – giving global health and policy leaders the insights they need to close today’s care gaps and shape tomorrow’s sleep medicine.” 

New findings from a U.S. consumer survey conducted by Sleep Institute highlight this need. While more than four in five respondents said sleep is important to their overall health, only one in three reported that a doctor or nurse has asked them about their sleep in the past six months. The institute says this disconnect illustrates the need to better integrate sleep into routine health care and policy discussions, a central focus of its work. 

Global collaboration at World Sleep Congress 

The Sleep Institute will debut at the World Sleep Congress, Sept. 5-10 in Singapore, with an expert-led symposium tackling one of sleep medicine’s most pressing challenges: the global underdiagnosis of OSA. The session will examine barriers in diagnostic pathways for OSA and highlight scalable solutions to help improve access and outcomes. 

The symposium, OSA Underdiagnosis – A world of difference, a common challenge, brings together clinical leaders from Iceland, Singapore, the United States and Sweden, including: 

• Erna Sif Arnardóttir – director, Reykjavik University Sleep Institute; president, European Sleep Research Society (Iceland) 
• Chi-Hang Ronald Lee – professor of medicine, National University of Singapore; senior consultant, National University Heart Centre and Alexandra Hospital (Singapore) 
• Michelle R. Zeidler – professor of medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); director, VA Greater Los Angeles Sleep Center (U.S.) 
• Ludger Grote – medical director, Sleep Disorders Center, Sahlgrenska University Hospital (Sweden) 

“There is a clear and urgent need to close the diagnosis gap in sleep disorders such as OSA,” said Zeidler, MD. “Sleep Institute’s focus on translating evidence into action will help clinicians, policymakers, and health systems take meaningful steps toward earlier detection and more personalized care.” 

OIG questions fraud efforts of Medicaid managed care plans 

WASHINGTON – CMS needs to follow up with states that have Medicaid managed care plans to ensure they are working to combat fraud, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG). 

The reports states CMS should: 

1. Follow up with states that had Medicaid managed care plans with no referrals of potential provider fraud, waste or abuse in 2022; and 
2. Encourage states to increase the number of Medicaid managed care plans that have received state-led training on the fraud referral process. 

The OIG notes that Medicaid managed care plans are required to identify and refer potential fraud, waste or abuse—including provider fraud—to the state and/or Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) for further investigation and enforcement. CMS and HHS-OIG, however, have cited concerns about efforts by these plans to combat fraud, including a lack of fraud referrals and few incentives to produce them. 

As part of its investigation, the OIG found: 

• 10% of plans reported that they did not make any referrals of potential provider fraud, waste or abuse in 2022. Combined, these plans covered 1.6 million enrollees and received $8 billion in payments from 13 states. 
• Of the plans that reported making provider referrals in 2022, more than half made two or fewer referrals per 10,000 enrollees. 
• Plans that received training from the state or MFCU on the fraud referral process made more provider referrals. However, only half of plans reported that they received such training. 
• Plans with fraud referral staff dedicated solely to that Medicaid plan made more provider referrals than plans with staff working across programs. However, 78% of plans reported that their fraud referral staff shared program integrity responsibilities across programs (e.g., another health care line of business). 

CMS did not explicitly concur or not concur with the OIG’s first recommendation but indicated that it has undertaken and plans to continue such followup. The agency concurred with the second recommendation. 

PHC to transfer Ascensia Diabetes Care to Senseonic, accelerate growth of Eversense 

TOKYO – PHC Holdings Corp. has announced that subsidiary Ascensia Diabetes Care has signed a memorandum of understanding to transfer the commercial operations for Eversense Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems to Eversense maker Senseonics Holdings. The companies seek to unite Eversense R&D, manufacturing and commercial activities within Senseonics beginning Jan. 1, 2026, subject to a definitive agreement. The move would enable Eversense to accelerate growth and realize its full potential faster than under the current structure, they say. Following the signing of a definitive agreement, most of the Eversense commercial team at Ascensia, including Brian Hansen, president of CGM, who led the successful U.S. Eversense 365 launch, would transition to Senseonics. "We are very proud to have worked with Senseonics on commercializing Eversense and we are committed to supporting Senseonics in establishing their own commercial operations and smoothly transitioning to them when we have a definitive agreement,” said Koichiro Sato, COO and chief strategy officer of PHC Group and CEO of Ascensia. “PHC Group remains invested in Senseonics and will continue to explore additional growth opportunities in the diabetes space." PHC Group and Ascensia plan to transfer commercial operations for Eversense to Senseonics and utilize Transition Service Agreements as needed while Senseonics establishes its global infrastructure. The companies anticipate minimal disruption for business partners, patients and providers. Ascensia launched the Eversense 365 in 2024. "Eversense is truly differentiated from any other CGM system on the market, and we believe now is the time to bring manufacturing and commercialization together to allow Senseonics to grow and remain responsive to the future needs of people with diabetes,” said Tim Goodnow, president and CEO of Senseonics. “We truly appreciate the partnership and investment that PHC Group and Ascensia have made in Senseonics, and we look forward to welcoming the talented commercial team and continuing to build momentum for Eversense 365." 

Tandem receives authorization to distribute t:slim app in Canada 

SAN DIEGO – Tandem Diabetes Care has received Health Canada authorization for distribution of the Tandem t:slim mobile application for Android and iPhone users. The Tandem t:slim mobile app allows users to deliver a bolus from their compatible smartphone and to wirelessly upload their pump data to the cloud-based Tandem Source platform. The app is expected to be available later this year. “This authorization demonstrates our dedication to expanding Tandem’s global offerings and delivering advanced technology to our Canadian customers,” said John Sheridan, president and CEO. “It showcases our team’s agility in meeting international standards and our commitment to offering innovative, integrated diabetes solutions.” The Tandem t:slim mobile app is a secure, user-friendly mobile application that, when paired with a t:slim X2 insulin pump, displays the user’s pump information on their personal smartphone. In addition to the ability to deliver and cancel a bolus, the mobile app displays the last 24 hours of glucose trends, pump status changes, and insulin therapy data, including basal and bolus deliveries and suspensions of insulin delivery.  

• Related: Tandem sees sales increase in Q1. 

Medtronic receives FDA approval for iAGC 

GALWAY, Ireland – Medtronic has received clearance for its SmartGuard algorithm as an interoperable automated glycemic controller (iAGC), enabling integration with Abbott’s Instinct sensor for Type 1 diabetes. The company has also received approval of the MiniMed 780G system for use in adults 18+ with insulin-requiring Type 2 diabetes. "These milestones mark an important next step in our work to bring the proven performance and outcomes of our MiniMed 780G automated insulin delivery system to more people living with diabetes,” said Que Dallara, EVP and president of Medtronic and CEO designate of MiniMed. “By enabling integration with the Instinct sensor and expanding the MiniMed 780G system to people with type 2 diabetes, we are advancing a smart dosing ecosystem designed to provide greater choice and flexibility, along with a more seamless experience. We're excited to expand our ecosystem of solutions under one roof with service our customers can count on around the clock." In the coming weeks, Medtronic and Abbott plan to complete their required compliance documentation, paving the way for sensor integration and marketing. Once that process is complete, ordering for the Instinct sensor with the MiniMed 780G system will begin. Existing customers will have priority access through the Innovations Program. Pre-orders for Simplera Sync sensor will also begin later this month. "We're working together to do what's best for people living with diabetes," said Chris Scoggins, EVP of Abbott's diabetes care business. "Abbott's biowearable technology has long set the standard for accurate, accessible, easy-to-use continuous glucose monitoring. Connecting it with the MiniMed 780G system aims to reduce the mental load of daily management, making it easier for people to live with diabetes." 

Dealbook: Motion, Quipt finalize transactions 

Motion (formerly Motion Specialties), a provider of comprehensive and customized mobility and home accessibility solutions in Canada, has completed its previously announced agreement to join forces with Numotion. “We are pleased to complete this transaction with Numotion, which helps create new growth opportunities in Canada and support continued innovation for persons with disabilities,” said Sue Gilpin, CEO of Motion. “We remain focused on our promise to Canadians to provide high-standards of quality-of-care as part of our vision to make life accessible for everyone and we look forward to cascading our expertise to new clients and markets as we enter this new chapter.” Motion will continue to operate as a standalone, Canadian-based entity headquartered in Ontario. It will also maintain the Motion brand and leadership at its current locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. “We are excited for this next phase of growth for our company,” said Mike Swinford, CEO of Numotion. “Given our longstanding history with Motion, this partnership is the natural extension of our 10-year relationship, and we welcome the opportunity to expand the impact of our best-in-class standards on a larger scale.” 

Quipt Home Medical has closed on its previously announced joint venture transaction with three major health systems and two hospitals to acquire Hart Medical Equipment. Quipt has acquired a 60% ownership interest in Hart, with the remaining 40% interest collectively held by Henry Ford Health, McLaren Health Care, Blanchard Valley Health System, Wood County Hospital and The Bellevue Hospital. Hart serves more than 67,000 patients monthly. “We are excited to officially close this milestone transaction with three major health systems and welcome Hart to the Quipt family,” said Greg Crawford, CEO and chairman of Quipt. “Hart’s strong health system relationships and regional market leadership represent a powerful strategic fit. This acquisition demonstrates the scalability of our acquisition platform, while providing us with a major entry into Michigan and expanded reach across the Midwest. Looking ahead, we see a deep pipeline of additional opportunities that can be integrated onto our platform to further accelerate growth.”   

ViCentra raises $85M, preps for US entry 

UTRECHT, the Netherlands — ViCentra, a European medical device company redefining insulin delivery for people with diabetes, has announced the successful close of an upsized $85 million Series D financing led by new investor Innovation Industries, with matching participation from existing investors Partners in Equity and Invest-NL and continued support from EQT Life Sciences and Health Innovations. With this fresh funding, ViCentra will accelerate manufacturing scale-up, launch the next-generation Kaleido 2 patch pump in Europe, and prepare for U.S. market entry. Kaleido is an insulin patch pump that is discreet, intuitive and personalized. “ViCentra is redefining insulin pump therapy with a platform that truly centers the user experience – combining clinical performance with design simplicity and wearability,” said Caaj Greebe, partner at Innovation Industries. “At Innovation Industries, we invest in pioneering companies that blend world-class technology with clear commercial potential. ViCentra exemplifies this by delivering a next-generation system addressing the urgent need for better treatment options in diabetes care. We’re proud to lead this investment round and partner with Tom and the team as they deepen and expand their presence in Europe and prepare for U.S. entry.” ViCentra says the global insulin delivery market is one of the largest and fastest growing medical device segments, driven by the rising prevalence of diabetes and increasing demand for solutions that blend clinical effectiveness with everyday usability. The insulin pump market, alone, is projected to reach over $14 billion by 2034. The company says patch pumps represent the fastest-growing segment of the insulin delivery market, signaling a broader industry shift toward compact, wearable and patient-centric solutions.  

NikoHealth adds Melissa Mayer to growing team 

MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP, N.J. – NikoHealth has named Melissa Mayer as its new senior product manager. Mayer has more than a decade in the health care space, with a track record of building innovative, user-first solutions from the ground up and scaling them to deliver measurable results. “Welcome to the team, Melissa!” the company stated in a LinkedIn post. “We’re excited to see the value you’ll bring to our clients and the DME/HME industry..” NikoHealth has made several new hires this year, including, most recently, Alan Erceg as principal solutions consultant. 

• Related: NikoHealth grows team