In brief: CMS’s proposed rule, Rehab Medical’s latest expansion, NCPA’s CORE program

WASHINGTON – CMS has issued a proposed rule to improve the health of Medicare beneficiaries by addressing social determinants of health, strengthening emergency preparedness, and improving maternal health.  

The fiscal year (FY) 2025 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) rule builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to support historically underserved and under-resourced communities and promote value-based care. 

“Hospitals should be a place you go into and get the care you need, regardless of whether you’re struggling to afford your rent, the color of your skin, or what else is going on in the world around you,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The Biden-Harris Administration is doing everything in its power to ensure hospitals have the prescription drugs and supplies they need so providers can focus on what they do best – helping our loved ones be healthy.” 

In the rule:  

• Access to treatments that could help support rural and underserved communities. 

• A permanent streamlined data reporting structure for COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with additional reporting that could be activated in the event of an emergency.  

• Efforts to drive improvements in access to quality care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.   

The rule has a 60-day comment period. It can be downloaded from the Federal Register at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-07567/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-and-the-childrens-health-insurance-program-hospital-inpatient. 

For a fact sheet on the rule, visit: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/fy-2025-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment-system-ipps-and-long-term-care-hospital-prospective 

United Spinal joins peer network 

NEW YORK – United Spinal Association is included in a new peer-to-peer network dedicated to supporting individuals and their families following traumatic injury. TandemStride’s network offers users a nationwide collection of resources and trained peers with lived experience. “United Spinal is dedicated to helping individuals and their families survive and thrive through traumatic injury,” said Alexandra Bennewith, vice president of government relations for United Spinal. “Our Resource Center provided care and expertise to over 3,000 cases in 2023. Our expansive list of support groups helps people with disabilities and their families navigate the ups and downs of their recovery.” Other groups in the peer network include the Trauma Survivors Network, Amputee Coalition and Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. As part of the launch of the network, TandemStride will begin enabling peer support at the point of care across 15 trauma centers and continues to actively partner with other centers and insurance providers. The initiative was founded by Matt Kalina, who was inspired by his brother’s journey through a traumatic bilateral amputation. “As someone who witnessed the power of community during my brother’s journey, I am thrilled to introduce TandemStride,” he said. “We’re not just a platform; we are a community working in tandem with survivors of life-altering injuries, helping them find their stride.”  

Cork Medical recognized as best place to work 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Cork Medical, a provider of wound care solutions, has made the 2024 Indiana Chamber of Commerce Best Places to Work list. The list recognizes and celebrates businesses for creating cultures that attract and retain employees. “We are so excited to join the list of Best Places to Work in Indiana for the first time,” said Blair O’Reilly, human resource manager. “We have an incredible team, and I want to thank each of them for making this honor possible. I’m so proud of the company culture that we’ve built and continue to build at Cork Medical.” Cork Medical says it has built a culture that cultivates employee growth and fosters opportunities for employees to have fulfilling careers built around its mission. That culture includes employing a dedicated employee development and engagement team to support employees through core values, financial wellness, leadership development and mentorship. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with TrueU, will formally recognize awardees at a public celebration on May 8.  

Rehab Medical expands in Texas 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Rehab Medical has opened a location in Dallas, its third in Texas. “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Rehab Medical's growth in the West Region,” said Kenneth Flaming, regional vice president of sales. “We have seen tremendous success in Texas since we entered the market a few years ago and have the same expectations in Dallas.” Rehab Medical has hired seven additional staff members to support the location in Dallas. Leading the location will be Colten Matthews, sales manager and ATP, and Rachel Shaw, branch manager. The company points out that, according to the Texans with Disabilities Data Brief, 51% of the state’s working-age population lives with a disability and, of those, 47% suffer from a mobility-related issue. In March, Rehab Medical opened a location in Miami, the company’s seventh in Florida. 

VGM promotes two 

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates has promoted Chris Rose to director of member key accounts and moved Matthew Flaherty to regional account manager for the member success team. Rose was previously regional account manager since June of 2016. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening business relationships between members and vendor partners to operate more efficiently and increase profitability. “We are proud to appoint Chris Rose to this important role,” said Lindy Tentinger, president of VGM & Associates. "His expertise and enthusiasm are the driving forces that will steer our members and vendor partners towards success, as well as fulfill the VGM & Associates mission of creating long-term viability for the future of our members, vendor partners, and the entire homecare industry.” Rose replaces Kelly Wolf, who recently retired. Flaherty, with VGM since June 2010, most recently served as director of sales for VGM Fulfillment. In his new role, he will service New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. "We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Flaherty to the VGM & Associates member success team to serve our VGM members in the southern region,” said Dave Lyman, senior vice president of sales. “His background in sales at VGM Fulfillment is incredibly valuable in our goals of serving our VGM members and providing the solutions necessary to thrive in our industry.”  

NCPA launches CORE 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association has launched CORE, a yearlong program to train pharmacy owners and their team members on the most essential elements of team leadership. Led by successful pharmacy owners and subject matter experts, NCPA’s program will equip participants with the business training and leadership development tools needed to strengthen and evolve their pharmacy and increase profitability. “With tight margins and financial challenges as they are in pharmacy these days, there’s no room to overlook any business element that is central to success,” said Kurt Proctor, president of the NCPA Innovation Center. “Managing inventory, evaluating purchasing, modifying workflows – these are areas where many independent pharmacists tell us they’re comfortable. There are other essential skills, however, where there’s maybe less focus during school or earlier in pharmacy careers despite being just as important in operating a successful store. NCPA’s new CORE program will cover the lesser-known essential principles of leadership and management and close knowledge gaps to help participants elevate themselves and their business to new heights.” Enrollment for the inaugural cohort of the program is open now through May 31. The course will kick off in June with an orientation session to introduce participants to the program. To learn more and enroll, click here. 

MD Revolution, Dexcom integrate 

SAN DIEGO – MD Revolution’s remote care management platform will be integrated with Dexcom’s continuous glucose monitoring systems as part of a new partnership. As a result, a patient’s glucose monitoring data can be made available to clinicians through MD Revolution’s platform, empowering clinicians to make informed decisions and provide better support for patients. "This integration further strengthens our scalable care management platform and ecosystem of integrated EHRs, data partners and devices that power our remote care programs," said Kyle Williams, CEO, MD Revolution. "Our partnership with Dexcom is good news for providers looking for remote care management for CGM patients who want streamlined services, billing and management under one cohesive remote care strategy." MD Revolution powers programs for chronic care management, remote patient monitoring, transitional care management, annual wellness visits and more. 

Computers Unlimited demonstrates commitment to security 

BILLINGS, Mont. – Computers Unlimited has completed its SOC 2 Type 2 audit, performed by KirkpatrickPrice. This third-party attestation provides evidence that Computers Unlimited has a strong commitment to security internal controls and processes in place, the company says. “We recognize the importance of maintaining the highest standards of data security and operational integrity,” said David Schaer, president of Computers Unlimited. “Achieving a SOC 2 Type 2 certification is not just a badge of honor, it is a tangible assurance to our customers that their data is handled with the utmost care according to stringent, industry-recognized practices. This certification reflects on ongoing efforts to evolve and innovate our software products and services to meet the needs of our customers. It solidifies our reputation as a reliable partner in protecting sensitive information and ensuring operational excellence, which is critical for our sustained growth and success in the competitive tech industry.” A SOC 2 audit provides an independent, third-party validation that a service organization’s information security practices meet industry standards as stipulated by the AICPA. During the audit, a service organization’s non-financial reporting controls as they relate to security of a system are tested. The SOC 2 report delivered by KirkpatrickPrice verifies the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of Computers Unlimited’s controls to meet the standards for this criterion.