In brief: Wearable impact on PAP, AleraCare & Pure Healthcare merger, Nonin Medical CEO
By HME News Staff
Updated 9:37 AM CST, Mon November 24, 2025
YARMOUTH, Maine – Augmenting the management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with consumer wearable devices increases the use of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, according to the results of a pilot randomized trail published in Sleep. The pilot randomized trial measured the effects of a consumer grade wearable-augmented program that provides nightly pulse oximetry data to patients in a weekly report on PAP use in adults with OSA recruited from an outpatient sleep center. The trial demonstrated that the consumer grade wearable-augmented program is a promising intervention for increasing PAP use. The change in PAP use was +1.33 hours (+79.8 minutes) for the immediate group and -0.17 hours (-10.2 minutes) for the waitlist control group, with a between-group difference of 1.50 hours (90 minutes) (p=.0097). The change in number of days PAP was used for more than four hours over a 7-day period was +1.32 days for the immediate and 0.12 days for the waitlist control group, with a between-group difference of 1.20 (p=.0401). Researchers say a future full-scale trial that follows participants for a longer period is needed.
AleraCare, Pure Healthcare complete merger
PHOENIX and TAYLORSVILLE, Utah – AleraCare, a provider of infusion and specialty pharmacy services across the United States, and Pure Healthcare, a medical group that delivers health care services for individuals with complex chronic conditions, have completed their merger. “Today marks a major step forward for patients, physicians and our payer partners who depend on timely, coordinated access to advanced therapies,” said Joe Cosgrove, CEO of the combined company. “By uniting AleraCare and Pure Healthcare, we’re pairing world-class clinical talent with scalable operations and technology – so patients can start therapy sooner, providers can practice with confidence, and payors can realize meaningful value in the right site of care. Our shared culture is built on clinical excellence, accountability and empathy. That’s what will power our next chapter.” The combined company has begun its integration program, ensuring uninterrupted patient care and consistent communication with referring providers, payers and industry partners. Branding, system and digital integration efforts are underway, with the unified brand to be announced at a future date.
CQRC adds its voice to hearing on chronic disease management
WASHINGTON – The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) sent a letter to the U.S. House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Vernon Buchanan and Ranking Member Lloyd Doggett II in response to a recent hearing on “Modernizing Care Coordination to Prevent and Treat Chronic Disease.” The letter expressed the CQRC’s appreciation for holding a hearing to consider ways to address challenges in diagnosing and managing chronic diseases and acknowledged the important bipartisan work of Reps. David Valadao, R-Calif., Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Adrian Smith, R-Neb., and Gabe Evans, R-Colo., for introducing H.R. 2902, the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act, which aims to address barriers to supplemental oxygen for those with chronic respiratory disease. In the letter, CQRC highlights how “the SOAR Act would reform the Medicare supplemental oxygen benefit to eliminate access barriers patients battling chronic respiratory diseases who require supplemental oxygen face under current policies.” The legislation includes provisions to protect against fraud and abuse, create a stable Medicare reimbursement rate, and recognize the importance of respiratory therapy services. The CQRC encourages the subcommittee to collaborate with the SOAR Act sponsors to secure its passage by the end of the year.
Dexcom will make G7 15 Day CGM available through DME providers on Dec. 1
SAN DIEGO – Dexcom has announced that the Dexcom G7 15 Day Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System for people over the age of 18 with diabetes will launch in the United States on Dec. 1. At initial launch, Dexcom G7 15 Day will be available for users who receive their Dexcom CGM through DME providers. It will be covered for Medicare beneficiaries. "We’ve heard loud and clear from our users – they want more time with the Dexcom G7 because it gives them confidence, clarity and control over their health,” said Grant Ovzinsky, vice president of product management at Dexcom. “With 15.5 days of wear, we’re delivering on that ask. Fewer sensor changes mean less disruption, and more time benefiting from the most accurate CGM. It’s a meaningful step forward in empowering people with diabetes to live life on their terms.” With an overall mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of 8.0%, Dexcom says the G7 15 Day builds on the performance of Dexcom CGM, which is clinically proven to lower A1C, reduce hyper- and hypoglycemia, and increase time in range. To learn more about Dexcom G7 15 Day visit Dexcom.com/15day.
AAH seeks next Homecare Champion
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Van G. Miller Homecare Champion Award. The award honors an HME leader who goes above and beyond to elevate the standards of care and enhance the lives of individuals relying on home medical equipment. “These champions are the driving force behind innovation, policy change and quality service delivery in a rapidly evolving health care landscape,” the association stated. To be considered for the Homecare Champion Award, nominees must be active and engaged members of AAHomecare. Visit aahomecare.org/Homecare-Champion-Nomination to submit your nomination by Jan. 23, 2026. See a list of past honorees at aahomecare.org/Homecare-Champions.
Nonin Medical names new CEO
MINNEAPOLIS – Nonin Medical’s board of directors has appointed medical device industry leader Todd Austin as its next CEO. Prior to joining Nonin Medical, Austin served as president and CEO of MGC Diagnostics, a subsidiary of CAIRE and Niterra. Prior to that, he held the role of executive vice president, global marketing, engineering, and corporate strategy at MGC Diagnostics. “Todd’s deep expertise in respiratory diagnostics and proven record of strategic leadership make him the ideal person to guide Nonin into its next phase of growth,” said Phil Isaacson, executive chairman, board of directors, at Nonin Medical. “His passion for innovation in the respiratory medical device industry and commitment to advancing patient outcomes align perfectly with Nonin’s mission and values.” Austin’s career also includes key leadership roles at Angeion, CareFusion, NDD, VIASYS Healthcare and SensorMedics. He is a registered respiratory therapist (RRT), registered pulmonary function technologist (RPFT) and neonatal-pediatric specialist (NPS). “Throughout my 30-plus years as a respiratory therapist, I’ve trusted and relied on Nonin’s products and technology across nearly every care setting – from bedside and critical care to transport, sleep and cardiopulmonary diagnostics, remote monitoring, and device integration,” said Austin. “Nonin has always stood for quality, reliability, and innovation, values that have guided my own career.”
HME Home Health expands presence in British Columbia
RICHMOND, British Columbia – HME Home Health has opened its newest location in British Columbia. The new location in Abbotsford will serve adult and pediatric clients from Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Chilliwack, Hope Mission, Agassiz and surrounding areas and will be a further link to its interior location in Kelowna. “Our new location in Abbotsford will allow us to continue to expand our service offerings to even more British Columbians,” said Robert Boscacci, CEO & co-founder. “The location will serve as a complex rehab and pediatrics hub for the Eastern Fraser Valley with a wide range of demo equipment in stock.” HME has 11 locations and more than 85,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in Richmond, Victoria, Surrey, Nanaimo, North Vancouver, Kelowna, Sechelt, Abbotsford and soon-to-open Kamloops. The new Abbotsford location will feature an equipped trial space, a private clinical assessment space, offices and a warehouse. “In recent years, feedback from our clients made it clear to HME that there was a need for a full service Canadian-owned equipment supplier in the Eastern Valley,” said Michelle Harvey, COO. “HME’s new Abbotsford location will bring our high-quality service and team to clients and clinicians residing in the Fraser Valley with essential features housed in the location.”
HME Medical Distribution honored for corporate culture
RICHMOND, B.C. - HME Medical Distribution has been recognized as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for 2025 by Waterstone Human Capital. This national award recognizes Canadian organizations that faster high-performing cultures that help sustain a competitive advantage, the company says. “This win is great news for HME, our staff and our clients,” said Robert Boscacci, CEO & co-founder. “This award demonstrates HME’s ongoing commitment to our values and recognizes the hard work of our incredible team. Our company culture is core to everything we do, and being recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 employers is a tremendous honor.” HME joins a distinguished list of 100 companies across Canada recognized for excellence in leadership, culture and employee engagement. The company was featured in the National Post on Nov. 20, 2025, and will retain the “Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures” brand distinction for the next three years. HME has 11 locations and more than 85,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in Richmond, Victoria, Surrey, Nanaimo, North Vancouver, Kelowna, Sechelt, Abbotsford and Kamloops. Its workforce is comprised of more than 140 highly-trained professionals, technicians and support staff.
NCPA partners with PTCB, PCCA on new path for pharmacy techs
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and PCCA have launched a Compounding PATH for Technicians, a compounding program designed to elevate pharmacy techs to nationally recognized training standards. This inaugural program represents an unprecedented collaboration among organizations dedicated to helping compounding techs best serve patients, they say. “This collaboration sets a new bar for pharmacy technician advancement,” said NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA. “By bringing together PCCA’s deep compounding expertise, NCPA’s commitment to community pharmacy success and PTCB’s nationally recognized standards, Compounding PATH for Technicians delivers unmatched credibility and a clear pathway for technicians to grow their careers while driving pharmacy performance.” Compounding PATH is a comprehensive, hybrid learning experience that prepares technicians to meet the highest benchmarks in nonsterile compounding practice and professional growth. THe curriculum includes pre-study followed by a 2.5-day intensive, hands-on laboratory training at PCCA headquarters in Houston. The ACPE-approved continuing education credit is provided by NCPA, aligning education with compliance, quality and operational value. Graduates will be prepared to take PTCB’s Nonsterile Compounding Certificate Exam and can apply this accomplishment toward earning the CPhT-Advanced credential. Enrollment is limited for 2026, with two scheduled offerings March 23-25 and Aug. 31-Sept. 2 for $2,495 per tech. Learn more and register here.
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