CMS proposes to modify the current three IC HCPCS codes to six HCPCS codes—establishing five new IC codes

WASHINGTON—Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 Bi-Annual HCPCS Public Meeting Agenda for May 28-30. The first topic listed in the May 28 Agenda is CMS’s proposal to expand the HCPCS codes list for intermittent catheters (ICs).

The fee schedule payment rates for the PoNS Controller and Mouthpiece is to be discussed at the bi-annual HCPCS Public Meeting

NEWTOWN, Pennsylvania,—Helius Medical Technologies, Inc., a neurotech company focused on delivering a therapeutic neuromodulation approach for balance and gait deficits, announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted proposed Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) fee schedule payment rates for the PoNS Controller and Mouthpiece to be discussed at the bi-annual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Public Mee

Phototherapy is an alternative for all patients, particularly pregnant women and the elderly

DUNEDIN, Florida—One Health Direct (OHD) leadership has continuously recognized and focused on the importance of implementing patient product awareness and eligibility education of innovative durable medical equipment (DME) products for more than a decade. Based on the success of similar initiatives with orthopedic bracing and diabetes products, OHD has expanded those efforts to include phototherapy products for their DME partner's existing and new patients.

Cognitive and Electronic Caregiver have partnered to provide eldercare with a solution that utilizes wireless signals to detect motion and presence within a home environment

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico—Electronic Caregiver, a provider of digital health technology and service solutions, and Cognitive Systems Corp., creators of Wi-Fi Sensing technology, announced a partnership to distribute CareAware, a WiFi Motion-based sensing solution, to enhance the aging-in-place experiences for older adults and caregivers.

With the BSMH partnership, Compassus' nearly 7,000 team members will provide access to home-based care services

CINCINNATI and BRENTWOOD, Tennessee—Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH), the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the U.S., and Compassus, a national provider of home-based health care services, have finalized an agreement to form a joint venture partnership. Compassus will manage 10 home health agencies and 11 hospice operations formerly led by BSMH serving patients in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia.

Patel was a leader of a scheme which resulted in losses to Medicare of nearly $50 million.

NEW YORK—Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Manishkumar Patel pled guilty  in connection with a $50 million health care fraud and kickback scheme involving the sale of fraudulent prescriptions for durable medical equipment (DME), among other medical supplies, to suppliers, pharmacies and laboratories who obtained payment for those fraudulent prescriptions from Medicare. Patel pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T.

The arrangement will expand Accurate’s Part B billing & management services

METAIRIE, Louisiana & NASHVILLE, Tennessee—RestorixHealth, a wound care solution company, and Accurate Healthcare (Accurate), a provider of Part B billing services and durable medical equipment (DME), announced they have entered into an arrangement to form a service provider of products, equipment and supplies to the skilled nursing industry.

Kline most recently served as president and CEO of Health Alliance Plan

NASHVILLE, Tennessee—National Seating & Mobility (NSM), a provider of complex rehabilitation technology, mobility and accessibility solutions in North America, announced the appointment of Teresa “Terri” Kline to the NSM Board of Directors.

AAHomecare is calling on providers to ask their senators and representatives to help move the 75/25 relief forward before the fly-in

WASHINGTON—More than 50 American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) board and council leaders are set to meet with approximately 140 House and Senate offices on May 15. Advocates will discuss a range of issues, including Medicare reimbursement policy—specifically, the need to pass 75/25 relief legislation that has moved through House and Senate committees but was not included in recent spending bills.

National safety provider enhances capabilities supporting aging adults with living independently

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania—Medical Guardian announced it has acquired MobileHelp from Advocate Aurora Enterprises to broaden its suite of health care solutions supporting aging adults with living independently and safely. The strategic acquisition bolsters Medical Guardian’s safety, engagement and wellness capabilities provided to more than 600,000 active members through its personal emergency response systems (PERS), remote patient monitoring (RPM) and health care engagement services.

Almost 8 in 10 workers & 7 in 10 retirees are concerned that the U.S. Government could make significant changes to the American retirement system

WASHINGTON—A new report published from the 34th annual Retirement Confidence Survey finds workers’ and retirees’ confidence has not yet fully recovered from the significant drop seen in 2023, however, majorities remain optimistic about their retirement prospects and the lifestyle they envisioned.

The DME provider is increasing the size of its network of lactation consultants & its insurance providers to continue improving maternal health outcomes

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina—Aeroflow Health, a health care company that leverages technology to support the delivery of medical products and services, announced it has expanded access for new mothers by growing its network of lactation consultants and insurance payers.

This partnership aims to provide mothers with easy access to free Momcozy breastfeeding equipment & accessories

LOS ANGELES—Momcozy, a global brand specializing in solution-focused maternal and baby care products since 2018, has announced its collaboration with 1 Natural Way (1NW), a durable medical equipment company catering to the precise needs of new mothers. This partnership aims to provide mothers with easy access to free Momcozy breastfeeding equipment and accessories through insurance reimbursement facilitated by 1 Natural Way.

CNS’s mission is to provide quality post-acute neurorehabilitation to stroke & traumatic brain injury survivors, helping them to regain their independence

BAKERSFIELD, California—The American Heart Association (AHA) awarded Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS), a brain injury and rehabilitation provider, with the Group Stroke Heroes award. The group hero award recognizes a group committed to educating, inspiring and bringing awareness to stroke. CNS was selected among other stroke support groups, stroke teams, families, private associations, medical facilities and more.

Nonin Medical has selected Medixine’s remote patient monitoring software platform

ESPOO, Finland—Finnish health tech company Medixine has strengthened its presence in the U.S. market, announcing a deepened technological partnership with Nonin Medical, a manufacturer of wearable and noninvasive medical monitoring devices. With the U.S. market for remote patient monitoring expected to exceed $25 billion by 2028, the collaboration is an important milestone in Medixine’s continued U.S. growth, the company said.

CGM suppliers who are recipients of the OIG requests have likely been notified via email

The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) reported that last week, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) began sending emails and letters to a select group of continuous glucose monitor (CGM) suppliers as part of an evaluation for its study "Medicare Payments Compared to the Prices Available to Consumers and Suppliers for Continuous Glucose Monitors and Sensors." This study aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of Medicare payments in comparison to the supplier’s acquisition c