In brief: Tightening enrollment, SOAR Act urgency, summer advocacy
By HME News Staff
Updated 10:12 AM CDT, Thu July 2, 2026
WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 1 released a 2027 Home Health Prospective Payment System proposed rule that includes new provider enrollment provisions that would apply across Medicare provider and supplier types. Among them: The ability to claw-back payments retroactive to the date of noncompliance for all revocations.
Under current regulations, certain Medicare enrollment revocations become effective prospectively — specifically, 30 days after the date that CMS or its contractor mails notice of the revocation to the affected provider or supplier. However, other revocations take effect retroactively to the date the provider’s noncompliance began. The agency is proposing to make all revocation grounds retroactive.
“These proposals would give CMS stronger tools to protect Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “The Trump Administration is committed to ensuring only qualified providers and suppliers participate in Medicare while preserving access to high-quality care for patients across the country.”
CMS is also proposing to add or expand bases for revocation or denial to include:
- Change in majority ownership. Hospices, HHAs and suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) must reenroll in Medicare as a new provider and undergo a survey/accreditation if they experience certain changes in majority ownership. CMS proposes to deny or revoke enrollment if this requirement is violated.
- Program or license suspension/termination. CMS currently may deny or revoke enrollment if a provider: (1) has a suspended/revoked license in another state; or (2) is suspended/revoked from Medicaid or another federal health care program. The agency proposes expanding this to include similar suspensions/revocations involving the provider’s owners or managing employees/organizations.
In addition, CMS is proposing to expand the number of reasons for which the agency can take action against problematic providers. These would include, but not be limited to:
- CMS could revoke a provider’s or supplier’s Medicare enrollment if the enrollment presents a high risk of fraud, waste, and abuse because the provider/supplier is located within a limited geographic area that has an excessive number of providers and suppliers.
- CMS could deny or revoke a provider’s or supplier’s Medicare enrollment if they have been convicted of a misdemeanor related to sexual assault or financial misconduct within the past 10 years.
To view a fact sheet on the proposed rule, visit: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-cy-2027-home-health-prospective-payment-system-proposed-rule-fact-sheet-cms-1844-p.
The proposed rule can be viewed on the Federal Register at: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-13602.
- Related: CMS announces temporary moratorium on new Medicare enrollment for certain DMEPOS providers.
‘Make Your Voice Heard’: VGM launches summer advocacy initiative
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Government Relations has launched a summer advocacy initiative encouraging home medical equipment (HME) providers to connect with legislators while they are back in their home states and districts. The campaign, “Make Your Voice Heard,” is designed to help providers build or strengthen relationships with elected officials and educate them on the challenges facing HME businesses, the patients they serve and the importance of policies that protect access to equipment and services.
Ways to get involved in the initiative:
- Host a facility visit – Invite your legislator to visit your location and see firsthand how your team serves patients in the community. When possible, a member of the VGM Government Relations team may be available to attend and support the visit.
- Schedule a district office meeting – Reach out to your legislator's local office and request a meeting. While meeting directly with the legislator is ideal, meetings with congressional or legislative staff can be equally valuable and often lead to continued engagement.
- Meet virtually – If an in-person meeting isn't possible, virtual meetings remain a great option for sharing your story and discussing key legislative priorities. Consider partnering with other HME providers in your area and your state association to host a discussion on issues impacting providers and patients.
- Attend town halls, roundtables and community events throughout the summer.
VGM says members of its Government Relations team can help providers schedule meetings, coordinate in-person or virtual events, prepare talking points tailored to current policy issues, and provide coaching before meetings. For assistance, contact Emily Kettman at Emily.Kettman@vgm.com.
Stakeholders urge House committee to advance SOAR Act
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) and the VGM Group are urging leaders of the House Energy & Commerce Committee to take up and pass the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act (SOAR Act) before the August recess. In a June 30 letter to Chair Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., the organizations said H.R. 2902 should move independently from other pending DME-related legislation to avoid slowing its progress. “The issues it addresses are urgent and consequential,” they wrote. “Beneficiaries need access to liquid oxygen. The entire system needs stability to allow for innovation. Current CMS authority cannot solve this problem.” The SOAR Act, sponsored in the House by Reps. David Valadao, R-Calif., Julia Brownley, D-Calif., and Adrian Smith, R-Neb., has more than 60 bipartisan co-sponsors. Companion legislation in the Senate, S. 1406, has been introduced by Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Mark Warner, D-Va., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. The organizations say the bill would support access to supplemental oxygen for more than 1.5 million people with chronic lung and heart diseases, but they warned that CMS would still need two to three years to implement changes once new authority is enacted. They also highlighted provisions related to liquid oxygen, state-determined respiratory therapy services and electronic clinical data elements intended to reduce improper payments. They say a standardized electronic template could prevent about $60 million annually in improper payments for supplemental oxygen based on CMS data.
Inogen adds COO to executive team
BEVERLY, Mass. – Inogen has appointed Andy Reding to the newly created role of COO. Reding will be responsible for driving revenue and operational performance, aligning cross-functional priorities, and helping ensure Inogen’s strategy is translated into efficient and measurable outcomes. “As we continue to diversify Inogen’s business through new product launches and geographic expansion, we are streamlining our leadership structure to enhance execution and accelerate delivery of our strategic priorities,” said Kevin Smith, CEO of Inogen. “Andy’s deep experience building high-performing teams and scaling complex medical technology businesses will be invaluable as we continue to drive top-line growth, advance profitability and expand the innovation pipeline.” Reding joins Inogen with more than 30 years of leadership experience across medical technology, commercial operations, product development and health care reimbursement. Most recently, he served as chief commercial officer of Viant Medical, where he led teams supporting complex medical-device design and manufacturing programs. He also previously served as vice president and general manager of Hillrom Respiratory Health. During his tenure, his team expanded the sales force, developed new products, and navigated FDA and CMS requirements to bring products to market. Reding will receive an inducement equity award of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) covering an aggregate of 130,000 shares of Inogen’s common stock. Subject to his continued service with Inogen, one-third of the RSUs will vest annually over three years.
Telemedicine company owner sentenced in Medicare fraud scheme
WASHINGTON – The owner of two telemedicine companies has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $66 million in restitution for her role in a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME) and prescription drugs, the U.S. Department of Justice announced. “The defendant – nurse practitioner responsible for the care and safety of her patients – exploited our health care system, conspiring to submit over $136 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald. Jean Wilson of Richmond Hill, Ga., owned and operated two telemedicine companies between 2017 and 2019. According to court documents and statements made in court, Wilson and others paid illegal kickbacks to medical providers to sign orders for orthotic braces and prescriptions for drugs for Medicare beneficiaries, even though the beneficiaries did not need them. Wilson signed many of the prescriptions herself. After obtaining the signed orders and prescriptions, Wilson and others sold them to purported marketing companies for about $90 per Medicare beneficiary. The marketing companies often resold the orders to brace companies and pharmacies, which submitted claims to Medicare. Evidence showed practitioners working for Wilson signed orders for four or more orthotics per beneficiary for more than 3,000 beneficiaries. Wilson pleaded guilty in March 2024 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud.
NCPA opens registration for annual convention
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Registration is now open for the National Community Pharmacists Association’s 2026 Annual Convention and its Pre-Convention Growth and Profitability Programs. The convention is scheduled for Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo., with the pre-convention programs taking place Oct. 1-2. “At the NCPA Annual Convention, we’ll be focusing on answering ‘how-to’ questions for independent pharmacy owners like how to take their operations and patient care to the next level in the context of today’s landscape,” said NCPA President Kristen Riddle, PharmD. “So, show up to level up! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in Kansas City for what’s sure to be an eventful, productive convention.” Early-bird registration is available through July 12, offering up to $100 off convention or pre-convention programming. To sign up for pre-convention programs, attendees must register for the convention, even if they are not attending the full event. Separate registration fees apply. Register for NCPA’s 2026 Annual Convention and pre-convention programming here.
WeInfuse, TailorMed partner on medication access
DALLAS – WeInfuse has partnered with TailorMed to help infusion providers and specialty pharmacies connect patients with financial assistance and other support resources. “At TailorMed, our mission is to eliminate barriers that prevent patients from accessing and affording the therapies they need,” said CEO Srulik Dvorsky. “By integrating with WeInfuse, we’re bringing our medication access network directly into the workflows of infusion providers and pharmacies.” The integration gives WeInfuse clients access to TailorMed’s medication success platform, which is designed to flag affordability, access and adherence issues across the medication journey. The companies say the goal is to identify assistance opportunities earlier, reduce delays in treatment initiation and support patients who may otherwise struggle to start or continue therapy.
Tandem expands Libre 3 Plus compatibility
SAN DIEGO – Tandem Diabetes Care has announced that its t X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ+ automated insulin delivery technology is now compatible with Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor in five countries. The launch expands CGM choice for t X2 pump users in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland and Italy. Tandem expects to add additional countries in 2026, including Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. “People using AID want flexibility in the devices they use,” said Jordan Pinsker, MD, chief medical officer. “The addition of Abbott’s latest generation sensor expands CGM choice for people using our Control-IQ+ technology.” The FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor can be worn for up to 15 days and sends glucose readings to the pump every minute. This data is also available on the Tandem t mobile app. The t:slim X2 insulin pump is powered by Control-IQ+ technology, which adjusts insulin every five minutes based on predicted glucose values. Control-IQ+ also includes Tandem’s AutoBolus feature, which calculates and delivers a correction bolus to help with missed meal boluses.
VIX Medical named top medical supplier in Laredo
LAREDO, Texas – VIX Medical has been voted Best Medical Supplies provider as part of the Laredo Morning Times Readers’ Choice Awards. The family-owned, veteran-owned company has served the Laredo, Texas, area since 2009, providing durable medical equipment (DME) and home health care products, including mobility products, respiratory equipment, diabetic supplies, orthopedic products and incontinence supplies. “We were incredibly honored and grateful,” Victor Vasquez Jr., president of VIX Medical, told the newspaper. “To be recognized by the people we serve means more than any award. It reflects the trust our patients, referral sources and community have placed in us.” VIX Medical began in a 150-square-foot office and has grown by more than 3,000%, according to the newspaper. VIX Medical’s team takes extra time to explain options, answer questions and handle as much of the administrative process as possible so families can focus on healing, Vasquez told the newspaper. “We genuinely care about our patients and their families,” he said. “We take the time to understand each person’s needs, provide education and help them navigate what can sometimes be a confusing process.”
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