News
Association leaders use State Summit to align TPA response
June 19, 2026HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa - VGM’s recent State Leader Summit gave association leaders something they rarely get: A chance to sit in the same room at a moment when the home medical equipment (HME) industry needs a coordinated response to the accelerating shift to third-party administrators (TPAs).
In recent months, insurers in states from Tennessee to Washington state have tapped TPAs to manage their HME benefit.
“Currently, we've got the third-party administrator piece floating through...
New therapies challenge CPAP, but providers aren’t shifting yet
June 19, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – There may be an increasing number of options to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but CPAP remains the top choice, say 68% of respondents to a recent HME Newspoll.
“The sleep apnea treatment landscape is becoming increasingly diverse, which is good news for patients,” wrote one respondent. “New options, such as oral appliances, implantable devices and emerging medications may help people who struggle with CPAP therapy. That said, CPAP remains the gold...
AAHomecare throws weight behind Medicare Advantage reforms
June 19, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has sent letters of support to the sponsors of legislation in the House and Senate that would reform Medicare Advantage prior authorization, claims integrity and transparency.
In its letters to Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., the organization shared how the bills would address challenges that home medical equipment (HME) providers face daily and would improve access to medical necessary equipment for Medicare beneficiaries.
“These...
In brief: AO oversight finalized, Medicaid oversight tightened, scam campaign launched
June 19, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) has published a rule finalizing enhanced oversight of accrediting organizations (AOs).
The agency says the rule, “Strengthening Oversight of AO and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest,” ensures that the organizations responsible for the oversight of more than 9,000 health care providers and suppliers use Medicare standards, and creates greater consistency between State Survey Agencies (SAs) and AOs in their survey processes.
“The...
CMS finalizes plans to increase oversight of AOs
June 18, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) has published a rule finalizing enhanced oversight of accrediting organizations (AOs).
The agency says the rule, “Strengthening Oversight of AO and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest,” ensures that the organizations responsible for the oversight of more than 9,000 health care providers and suppliers use Medicare standards, and creates greater consistency between State Survey Agencies (SAs) and AOs in their survey processes.
“The...
HME News names new managing editor
June 18, 2026HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine – HME News, the leading source of news and analysis for the home medical equipment (HME) industry, today announced a leadership transition within its editorial team.
Long-time Managing Editor Theresa Flaherty will be moving on to lead sister publication Security Systems News, also part of United Publications. Flaherty, who joined HME News in 2005, has played a pivotal role in shaping the publication’s editorial voice and covering the evolution of the HME industry over...
MedPAC reports on Medicare payment incentives, enrollment decisions & more
June 16, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) has released its June 2026 Report to Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System to highlight issues affecting the Medicare program, as well as broader changes in health care delivery and the market for health care services.
The report includes six chapters:
Improving payment incentives in Medicare: We describe incentives in fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare, alternative payment models (APMs), and Medicare Advantage...
Florida launches Medicaid fraud crack down initiative
June 15, 2026HME News Staff
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a Medicaid integrity initiative that includes enhanced provider screening, advanced fraud detection technology, enrollment controls for high-risk provider categories, and a statewide revalidation of all active Medicaid providers.
“In Florida, we work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and that public programs serve the people they are intended to serve,” he said.
The Trump Administration and...
Small supplier networks face steep hurdles in next bid round
June 12, 2026Theresa Flaherty
WASHINGTON – There may be strength in numbers, but the logistics of smaller suppliers submitting bids as part of a network in the next round of Medicare’s competitive bidding program (CBP) may be too prohibitive, says health care attorney Jeff Baird.
In the next round of CBP, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will implement a nationwide Remote Item Delivery (RID) program that effectively shuts out smaller, independent suppliers.
“The goal of CMS that at...
In brief: Medline responds to fire, former Drive execs return to HME, Florida cracks down
June 12, 2026HME News Staff
TRACY, Calif. – Medline is prioritizing supporting its team after a fire impacted its distribution facility in Tracy, Calif., on June 11.
The company says all employees and on-site personnel have been safely evacuated and accounted for.
“We have connected with nearly all affected employees and are offering onsite and local support, resources including financial support and counseling services, and continued communication as we work through next steps together,” the company...