HomeCare News

DALLAS—Medtrade announced new participants for its 2025 Expo and Conference “Tech Talks,” which take place Tuesday, Feb. 18 through Thursday, Feb. 20 in Dallas, Texas. The Tech Talks will be held on the expo floor and will feature 30-minute live, interactive presentations that aim to provide attendees with an overview of various industry technology solutions. 

WASHINGTON—The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted an audit to determine whether Medicare Part B properly paid for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies to hospice enrollees from the time period of 2017 through 2021. This audit took place in order to follow up on a prior OIG audit, which found Medicare Part B improperly paid suppliers for such supplies.

OWINGS MILLS, Maryland—The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC), a credentialing organization that provides accreditation for facilities that supply durable medical equipment, orthotic and prosthetic products, announced the launch of a new accreditation product for pharmacies, in partnership with the Long-Term Care at Home Pharmacy Quality Commission (LTC@HQC).

NASHVILLE, Tennessee—HarmonyCares, a provider of value-based in-home care, announced that its Medicare care coordination company, HarmonyCares ACO LLC, achieved a net savings rate of 23% in its first performance year (2023) as an accountable care organization realizing equity, access and community health (ACO REACH) participant.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a $50 million penalty against American Airlines for numerous serious violations of laws that protect airline passengers with disabilities. The DOT investigation into American Airlines uncovered cases of unsafe physical assistance that, at times, resulted in injuries and undignified treatment of wheelchair users, in addition to repeated failures to provide prompt wheelchair assistance.

DENVER—OnTerra Systems, a software company that specializes in web mapping products, introduced a new version of its “RouteSavvy” route planning software. The “RouteSavvy 2.0” software will include a mapping platform from Here Technologies, a mapping technology and location data company.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Fisher and Paykel (F&P) Healthcare, a respiratory care products designer and manufacturer, announced the U.S. launch of its “F&P Nova Micro” nasal pillows mask, which is intended for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

BURKBURNETT, Texas—HomeWell Care Services, an in-home care services provider, announced the relaunch of its “GoHomeWell” post-medical care program. The revamped program, which was initially launched in 2019, aims to provide franchise owners with advanced tools, resources and data-tracking capabilities to deliver outcomes-driven care and strengthen partnerships with health care providers.

PHOENIX—AZ Mobility, a wheelchair-accessible vehicle sales company, announced it has rebranded as “EZmobility Direct.” The company said under its new name, it aims to deliver mobility solutions to clients across the U.S.
 

WASHINGTON—Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a fix that will impact suppliers who provide disposable medical supplies to Medicare beneficiaries, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) wrote in a recent newsletter to members. This fix aims to lay the groundwork for ongoing engagement with CMS in order to address denials triggered by unknown Part A episodes. 

CARLSBAD, California—Advanced Diabetes Supply (ADS) and US MED, two national distributors of specialized diabetes devices, have partnered with Omnis Health—a diabetes testing supplies provider—to bring diabetes testing supplies to the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) in Asheville, North Carolina.

TROY, Michigan—Best Life Brands LLC, a franchised organization with a portfolio of senior care brands, announced it has experienced unprecedented growth and expansion in its third quarter (Q3) of 2024. The company said it has seen standout achievements in monthly, quarterly and yearly franchise awards and is on track to set an all-time high by January 2025. 

SUNNYVALE, California & ASHEVILLE, North Carolina—HealthTap, a virtual health care provider, announced its launch into the durable medical equipment (DME) market with its first partner, Aeroflow Health, a provider of home medical equipment and supplies. By joining the DME market, HealthTap aims to help more patients access primary care and DME services. 

WASHINGTON—The Department of Justice (DOJ), together with the Attorneys General of Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey and New York, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit  to block UnitedHealth Group Incorporated from completing its proposed $3.3 billion acquisition of rival home health and hospice services provider Amedisys Inc, saying it would eliminate competition between the two companies. 

WASHINGTON—The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reviewed Medicare Advantage (MA) companies’ use of health risk assessments (HRAs), which often increase payments to MA plans by billions of dollars. As a result of the review, OIG offered suggestions to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

DALLAS—Medtrade, a home medical equipment (HME) trade event in North America, announced that its “SmartSaver” registration rates for the Medtrade 2025 Expo and Conference are now in effect. The company said that time is limited for these registration rates, as they will only be in effect through Saturday, Nov. 16. The registration category aims to help those who wish to attend the trade show.

The SmartSaver rates offer:

NEWARK, New Jersey—United States Attorney Vikas Khanna announced that two Florida men, a father and son duo, were arraigned on charges relating to their roles in a multimillion-dollar durable medical equipment (DME) and prescription drug health care fraud and kickback scheme.

WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Patrick Newbold has been appointed chief information officer (CIO), as reported by Federal News Network. After the addition of Newbold, the U.S.

MOUNT LAUREL, New Jersey—Care Options for Kids (COFK), a pediatric specialists provider, announced that Elias Lee has been named VP of talent acquisition. Lee brings health care, homecare, senior living and talent acquisition experience to the new role, in which he aims to expand upon the company’s leadership efforts.

INDIANAPOLIS—Elevance Health, a health benefits organization and health insurance provider, announced the appointment of Nathan Rich as VP of investor relations. In this role, Rich aims to manage the company’s investor relations efforts, support the company’s growth initiatives and strengthen its relationships within the investment community. Additionally, Rich will serve as a member of the company’s executive leadership team.