In brief: Tennr’s $101M boost, Drive’s NexStride, One Health Direct’s rebrand

NEW YORK – Tennr has announced a $101 million Series C led by IVP, with participation from new and existing investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Lightspeed, GV, ICONIQ, Foundation Capital, and Frank Slootman. 

Tennr has built an orchestration platform and language models designed to automate the labor-intensive workflows of referral-based care. 

The company is now launching Tennr Network, a new coordination layer that it says connects referring providers, receiving providers and patients, giving each real-time visibility into the referral status. 

“Patients really shouldn't vanish into a work queue," said Tennr co-founder and CEO Trey Holterman. "There's so much opportunity to build a delightful patient experience, but it's always failed because we expect so much behavior change from providers who are completely overwhelmed. We flipped that thinking and are now creating visibility for the patient flow without changing how people work. Businesses love it because they're converting far more patients and providing a 10x experience for patients and referral sources." 

Tennr says the new network allows: 

• Referring providers to see the current status of every patient they've sent out, eliminating phone tag and guesswork. 
• Receiving providers to track the status of every referral, see which need more documentation, and identify which sources are driving the most conversions. 
• Patients to see when their referral was accepted, when it's scheduled, and what to expect to pay. This brings the kind of transparency we take for granted in food delivery or e-commerce. 

The secret behind its solution, Tennr says, the combination of an enterprise orchestration engine and a series of specialized language models (RaeLM) trained on the nuances of processing medical documentation against strict payer criteria. Unlike generic large language models, RaeLM is optimized to understand the nuanced data in medical determinations across years of records and evaluate documents against complex payer criteria to flag potential denials and denials. 

"Tennr has revolutionized our fax-to-intake workflow, eliminating hundreds of hours of manual effort each day, removing human errors, and accelerating the creation of patient intakes,” said Ty Barnett, CIO at Norco Inc. “We've redefined operational agility in our revenue cycle—it's not just about moving faster—it's about serving healthcare practitioners and patients more effectively, in alignment with our mission of Serving You Better.” 

• Related: Tennr sees adoption accelerating and dives deep into HME. 

Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare acquires product line of De Oro Devices 

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. – Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare (DDH) has acquired the product line of De Oro Devices, the California-based company behind NexStride, a mobility aid designed to help people with Parkinson’s disease and other mobility-limiting conditions walk with greater safety and confidence.  

Founded in 2018, De Oro Devices launched NexStride as a clip-on cueing device to support mobility and physical activity for people with neuroambulatory disorders. About the size of a deck of cards, NexStride easily attaches to any cane, walker, or rollator and provides both visual and auditory cues—a laser line and a customizable metronome—that help re-establish the brain-body connection during walking.   

Originally developed to address freezing of gait (FoG) in Parkinson’s disease, NexStride is now used by individuals with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other conditions, as well as those suffering from the effects of stroke. The device is available in seven countries, including the United States, where it is offered through the U.S. Veterans Health Administration and other distribution channels.  

“NexStride shows how smart, research-backed technology can help people with neuroambulatory disorders stay active, live more independently and potentially avoid complications,” said Derek Lampert, CEO of Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare. “We’re proud to help bring this innovative solution to more people who need it.”  

As part of the acquisition, Sidney Collin, cofounder of De Oro Devices and inventor of NexStride, will join the company as clinical vice president – product management, leading the development of the NexStride product roadmap, navigating coverage pathways and heading up access initiatives to help more people benefit from the technology.  

“This milestone is the culmination of years of dedication to a simple idea: That everyone deserves to walk with dignity and confidence,” said Collin. “Partnering with DDH means NexStride can now reach people faster and with greater support behind it. I’m deeply grateful to our team, our investors and especially to the Parkinson’s community that inspired and informed every step of our journey.”  

• Related: Drive DeVilbiss buys Mobility Designed's portfolio 

One Health Direct rebrands, relaunches 

DUNEDIN, Fla. – One Health Direct (OHD), a provider of direct-to-consumer health care facilitation and patient engagement solutions, has rebranded and relaunched its proprietary operational software, previously known as Genesis.  

The upgraded platform, now named runOMNI, features expanded capabilities and reflects OHD's future vision: to "run all" operations to efficiently power modern DME suppliers. 

"The name runOMNI comes from the Latin word omnis, meaning 'all,'" said Alois Rubenbauer, founder and CEO of One Health Direct. "It's built to 'run all' parts of a DME operation – from intake to fulfillment – in one efficient, compliant and scalable system." 

Originally designed to streamline the complex qualification and reimbursement processes required for DME patients to receive innovative treatments, Genesis served as OHD's central operations engine. The upgraded runOMNI system expands upon that foundation with new AI-driven tools, expanded CRM and OMS capabilities, and a modular architecture that is both adaptable and scalable. 

The runOMNI system features: 

• End-to-end workflow automation covering patient onboarding, physician engagement, documentation, eligibility verification and order fulfillment 
• Advanced CRM and OMS tools optimized for DME operations with role-specific views and streamlined task flows 
• AI-powered features to enhance accuracy and reduce manual effort across document retrieval, insurance checks and compliance review 
• Integrated communication tools to automate strategic phone, text, fax, and email follow-up cadences with both patients and providers 

Related: OHD adds phototherapy to line-up 

Embla receives dual honors 

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, and COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Forbes Magazine has named Embla Medical to its first-ever global Accessibility 100 list, recognizing the company’s history of innovative prosthetics, neuro orthotics and bracing solutions, and high-quality patient care services. The list recognizes, for the first time, innovators in the field of accessibility for people with disabilities. “We are honored to have received this recognition as a purpose-driven company that is passionately committed to improving the quality of life for people experiencing chronic mobility challenges,” said Sveinn Sölvason, Embla Medical’s president and CEO. “From designing award-winning mobility solutions to operating our network of patient care clinics, we remain singularly focused on providing innovative mobility solutions that help more people live a Life Without Limitations.” Embla Medical’s portfolio has a number of leading mobility brands, including Össur, a provider of prosthetics and bracing and supports solutions; Fior & Gentz, a developer of neuro orthotics; and College Park, creators of custom-built prosthetic solutions for people of all activity levels. Embla has also received the President of Iceland‘s Export Award for 2025, recognizing the company’s success as an international business. “This recognition speaks to the dedication and global impact of our entire team, and accepting the award from President Halla Tómasdóttir was a very meaningful moment,” Sölvason said. Embla Medical first received this honor in 1992, as a small Icelandic company employing around 20 people at that time. 

Synthpop promotes Fuller 

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Synthpop has promoted David Fuller to director of solutions  
engineering. In this leadership role, Fuller will continue to accelerate customer solution adoption by enhancing customer onboarding processes and growing the team of sales engineering and implementation professionals. His extensive experience and leadership in connected health care have helped Synthpop's largest customers quickly realize the value of agentic Al solutions, says the company. These solutions revolutionize patient diagnostic and therapeutic workflows - automating and streamlining formerly manual, disjointed and inefficient data management, and patient engagement processes across complex healthcare systems and partnerships, it says. 

Related: Synthpop’s Teresa Power was a recent Smart Talk columnist for HME News.  
 
Enhanced PAP adherence improves cardio outcomes 

SAN DIEGO - PAP adherence reduces cardiovascular related health events (CVRHU) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, according to a new study published in Sleep and supported by Resmed. The study analyzed insurance claims linked with objective PAP usage data from patients diagnosed with OSA who initiated PAP between 2015-2021. Two-year PAP adherence was defined as adherent, intermediate or non-adherent based on Medicare criteria. CVRHU was defined as emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations or either (“serious cardiovascular-related event”), with primary diagnoses of stroke, heart failure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy or hypertension. Over two years, 75% of patients were at least intermediately adherent to PAP (25% non-adherent). Adherent patients were significantly less likely to have a serious cardiovascular-related event compared to non-adherent (4.09% vs 5.22%, P< 0.001), representing a 22% lower risk of having an event. Total health care costs per patient were significantly lower for adherent patients compared to non-adherent (year 1: $9,748 vs $10,861, P=0.014; year 2: $9,102 vs $9,847, P< 0.001). Associated costs aligned with the frequency of events, with adherent patients incurring significantly lower costs compared to intermediate and non-adherent patients in the first year and further reductions in year 2 (year 1: adherent: $182 vs intermediate: $230 vs non-adherent: $257, P< 0.001; year 2: adherent: $166 vs intermediate: $237 vs non-adherent: $267, P< 0.001). These findings underscore the importance of strategies to enhance PAP adherence to improve long-term cardiovascular outcomes, researchers say. 

CHME promotes two executives 

FOSTER CITY, Calif. – California Home Medical Equipment (CHME) has announced the promotion of two key executives: Alan Oiwa to president, and Shyam Sunderam to vice president of operations. Since joining the company at its inception, Oiwa has overseen six critical accreditations that ensure CHME meets the highest industry standards. His comprehensive management of regulatory compliance ensures the company operates by all applicable health care regulations. "Alan's strategic vision and operational expertise have been fundamental to our growth," said CEO Bernie Zimmer. "His ability to navigate complex health care regulations while driving business development makes him the ideal leader to guide CHME into its next phase of expansion." Throughout his tenure, Oiwa has successfully negotiated and operationalized significant capitation agreements that have expanded CHME's market reach. He implemented an innovative e-purchasing system that enables 90% of product procurement with streamlined, one-click ordering while managing vendor contract negotiations to secure sustainable pricing structures. Oiwa also co-founded and launched CHME Pharmacy in 2024, serving as part owner and providing strategic direction for the pharmacy's successful market entry. As president, Oiwa will continue to oversee regulatory affairs while expanding his leadership role in strategic planning and business development initiatives. Sunderam has more than two decades of operational excellence and business development experience. Most recently, as director of business operations at CHME Pharmacy, Sunderam played a crucial role in launching the pharmacy after CHME's acquisition; managing the transition to full operation, including licensing, location management and staff development; and establishing critical partnerships with PBMs, preferred supplier associations (PSAOs) and Medicare. "Shyam's expertise in operational transformation and technology implementation will be invaluable as we scale our operations to meet growing demand," said Oiwa. "His data driven approach to process improvement and customer satisfaction enhancement perfectly complements our strategic objectives."  

Related: CHME: ‘We’re trying to be a little bit different’ 

OIG: SMP projects have room for improvement 

WASHINGTON – Senior Medicare Patrol projects in 2024 made $35,115,211 in expected Medicare recoveries and $99,037 in cost avoidance on behalf of Medicare, Medicaid, beneficiaries and others, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG). In 2024, SMP projects, which are funded by grants for the Administration for Community Living, had 5,643 active team members; conducted 22,752 group outreach and education events; and had 283,724 individual interactions with, or on behalf of, a Medicare beneficiary. The OIG says, however, that SMP projects may not be receiving full credit for recoveries, savings and cost avoidance attributable to their work. It is not always possible to track referrals to Medicare contractors or to law enforcement from beneficiaries who have learned to detect fraud, waste and abuse from the projects, it says. In addition, the projects are unable to track the potentially substantial savings derived from a sentinel effect, whereby scrutiny of bills by beneficiaries reduces fraud and errors, it says. The ACL, the OIG says, needs to work with SMP projects to further focus on and document expected Medicare and Medicaid recoveries; additional Medicare and Medicaid recoveries; cost avoidance and savings both to beneficiaries and to others to the extent possible. 

Forbes honors two United Spinal leaders 

NEW YORK – Two leaders at United Spinal Association have been honored in Forbes’ first-ever Accessibility 100. Dominic Marinelli, vice president of accessibility services, was named in the “Modeling, Music and Movies: Accessibility in the Arts” for his team’s role in ensuring large stadiums, arenas and other venues are accessible for all people. Joshua Basile, board secretary, was named in “Polices And Protections: Accessibility’s Legal Frontier” for his work making Social Security fairer to workers with spinal cord injuries. Basile’s Spinalpedia is a curated collection of more than 40,000 video resources for the SCI community. “We could not be prouder of Dom, Josh and all our United Spinal Association leaders who improve the quality of life for wheelchair users every day," says Vincenzo Piscopo, CEO & president, United Spinal Association. "Dom's Accessibility Services team consults with businesses across the United States to help them become accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities, from stadiums to housing developments."