In brief: CRT advocates make case, patients want tech, Masimo pairs with Google

WASHINGTON – Complex rehab stakeholders converged on Capitol Hill on Sept. 10 to boost support for legislation that would improve access to titanium or carbon fiber wheelchairs. 

The group met with legislators and staff from 49 Congressional offices Sept. 9-10 to move H.R. 5371 forward and seek support for a Senate companion bill that is expected to be introduced soon. 

“Our CRT leaders made a strong impression across The Hill that included reaching a high proportion of meetings with members of committees of jurisdiction for federal health care finance issues,” said Alexis Ward, senior director of payer relations for AAHomecare. “Our advocates covered a lot of ground, with most of them meeting with five or more congressional offices. This effort demonstrates the great commitment of the leaders on our Complex Rehab & Mobility Council and the CRT industry at-large who took part in the fly-in.” 
 
AAHomecare is urging suppliers, manufacturers and consumer advocates to reach out to their representative’s health care staffers to ask for support in moving H.R. 5371 forward before the end of this congressional session. Go here for additional guidance on messaging and reaching out to Capitol Hill.  

CRT stakeholders, led by NCART and U.S. Rehab, will return to Capitol Hill on Sept. 24 to continue to push for H.R. 5371, as well as other priorities. 

• Seth Johnson discusses what’s at stake this fall. 

Survey: Patients want more tech 

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Fifty-three percent of U.S. consumers say that adding more technology to health care settings would improve their experience as a patient, according to a new survey from RXNT, a health care technology company. 

The survey, which included 700 nationally representative consumers and more than 300 health care professionals, highlights critical opportunities for improvement within the health care industry, including better provider communication and more convenient mobile apps, the company says. 

According to the survey: 

• 67% of consumers in the West agree that adding more technology to health care settings would improve their experience as a patient, followed by 51% of consumers in the South.  

• One in every two consumers (52%) who are dissatisfied with their current health care cite poor communication with health care providers as the primary reason for their dissatisfaction.  

• Over half of consumers (55%) agree that they would prefer to use a mobile app to manage health care appointments, prescriptions and medical records. 

While patients report that technology is essential to a better experience, the survey found that health care professionals are feeling the pressure of time constraints that leave little room for adding better digital tools. Health care professionals surveyed in the South estimate that they lose four hours per week in productivity due to outdated practice software used for administrative tasks like medical billing and health record management.  

According to the survey: 

• Health care professionals aged between 25-34 believe they could see 20 more patients per week after implementing better software tools. 

• 48% of health care professionals are frustrated with the slow performance of software, while 35% have security concerns about the software.  

• One in six health care professionals do not plan on integrating AI tools and features into their daily workflow.  

“These findings should be a wake-up call for health care providers, with patients expressing a need for better communication and technology,” said Randy Boldyga, founder and CEO of RXNT. “I founded RXNT over 25 years ago with the goal to make health care simpler and safer through technology, and I’m proud to say that our integrated software is designed to address these exact challenges; improving the patient experience, increasing patient satisfaction and enabling a better daily routine for providers.” 

Masimo, Google partner on wearable platform 

IRVINE, Calif. – Masimo will partner with Google to develop a new reference platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) building Wear OS by Google smartwatches. 

By incorporating Masimo’s biosensing technologies and standardizing smartwatch devices using the Masimo reference platform, OEMs will be able to more efficiently build and bring high-performing Wear OS smartwatches to market. 

“We’re excited to partner with Google to develop a reference platform for Wear OS that leverages our expert engineering capabilities,” said Joe Kiani, founder and CEO of Masimo. “Our ability to craft next generation biosensing technologies, precision components and advanced signal processing algorithms, with rigor and discipline honed over decades, is an excellent foundation for creating a world-class smartwatch reference platform.” 

Masimo and Google’s platform is designed to support the fast-growing Wear OS ecosystem – including a suite of health and wellness tracking tools that consumers can trust to provide accurate, reliable data; seamless integration with Android smartphones; and a high-quality, high-performance experience. 

“Building quality smartwatches with premium features that users have come to expect can be time consuming and costly,” said Bjorn Kilburn, general manager of Wear OS at Google. “With Masimo's reference platform, smartwatch makers are able to benefit from state-of-the-art biosensing technology and quickly bring their Wear OS devices to market, at scale. Together, we're promoting innovation across the Wear OS ecosystem that provides end users with high-performing, feature-rich devices to choose from.” 

Related: Earlier this year, Samsung announced that the sleep apnea feature for its Galaxy Watch has received de novo authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This month, Apple unveiled Apple Watch Series 10, which among other things, features a new sleep apnea feature. 

NOVA Medical launches test drive certification 

LOS ANGELES – NOVA Medical Products has launched its NOVA Test Drive Center Certification designed to empower independent pharmacies and HME retailers to increase retail traffic and drive sales of the company’s rollator walkers. “Many people are skeptical or even fearful of using a walker,” said Sue Chen, CEO. “We believe that providing customers with the opportunity to personally experience the life-changing benefits of our rollators is crucial in empowering them to make informed decisions. By offering an in-store Test Drive program, independent pharmacy owners and HME retailers can infuse joy into the process of buying a walker, differentiate themselves from competitors, and build even stronger customer relationships.” By transforming the product selection process into an engaging “Test Drive” experience, retailers can reduce the stigma, help customers find the proper fit, and create a more positive, informative and inclusive customer journey, the company says. As a Certified NOVA Test Drive Center, retailers will receive a package of marketing materials to support their efforts, including window and wall clings, floor stickers, door decals, digital and print marketing tools, and hang tags for their in-store Test Drive units. Additionally, these centers will be featured with priority placement on NOVA’s dealer locator map. To qualify for the program, retailers must already be qualified SuperNOVA dealers. Stores must also maintain a diverse inventory of rollator models and accessories to showcase customization options and have at least two staff members complete the NOVA MVP video training program and be ready to facilitate Test Drives. 

Dynarex recognizes first responder 

ORANGEBURG, N.Y. – Dynarex has named Amy Strobach as the winner of the 2024 Dynarex EMS First Responder Caring Award. This honor recognizes EMS professionals who have shown exceptional dedication to their communities. "Supporting the EMS community has always been a cornerstone of our mission at Dynarex,” said Zalman Tenenbaum, CEO of Dynarex. “We are honored to present this award as a testament to the dedicated service of EMS professionals everywhere. Our commitment to providing these vital workers with the necessary tools to perform their lifesaving duties remains steadfast." The FRCA was bestowed as part of the 2024 National EMS Awards of Excellence. Strobach has been an integral part of the Clear Lake Area Ambulance Service in rural northwest Wisconsin since joining in 2011. She spearheaded a collaboration with the local school district to boost emergency training and first aid instruction for students, thereby expanding the first responder team. Over the past year, Strobach has clocked more than 6,300 hours of call time, responding to 177 of 235 emergency calls. She also received a Lifesaver Award in 2023 for a vital CPR save. 

JCPenney launches clothing line for wheelchair users 

PLANO, Texas – JCPenney recently announced Jamey Perry for JCPenney, a new limited-time collaboration featuring fashionable and functional apparel for women who use wheelchairs. The exclusive collection, launching Sept. 9 at Runway of Dreams’ Fashion Revolution show during New York Fashion Week, is the latest extension of JCPenney’s commitment to adaptive apparel offerings and embodies the retailer’s pledge to make fashion truly accessible for America’s diverse, working families. “Creating this line with JCPenney has been a dream come true,” said Perry, an accomplished disabled writer and athlete. “Although I’m new to the design world, the JCPenney team understood that my lived experience lent a unique perspective when creating this collection. Women like me want to look great and feel great, and we also need clothes that fit our lives. JCPenney gets that and the result is incredible.” Available in women’s sizes XS-XXL, the collection ranges from $44-$99 and includes 18 different styles such as blazers, dress slacks, blouses and cocktail outfits, providing options for any occasion. The collection is designed to reduce common issues women in wheelchairs experience when dressing and wearing apparel, including well-placed zippers for easy access; positioning pockets to be maximally useful to a seated person; soft, breathable fabrics to reduce skin irritation; extended back rises to accommodate seated wearers; shortened sleeves to prevent interference with wheels; and waistband loops to make dressing easier. 

AAH, Emerald extend Medtrade agreement 

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare and Emerald have extended their partnership in Medtrade through the 2031 show. “A vital and strongly-attended trade show is critical to the health and success of the HME sector,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president & CEO. “Medtrade delivers unmatched educational and networking opportunities and also showcases products and services in a way that a website listing or brochure just can’t match.” AAHomecare is involved in Medtrade in a number of ways, including participating in its Educational Advisory Board and hosting the Stand Up for Homecare networking and fundraising reception. The renewed partnership allows the association and Emerald to continue working together to elevate the HME industry, says Kerry Tyler associate show director for Medtrade. “Emerald is happy to continue working with AAHomecare in an effort to grow Medtrade and extend our partnership into 2025,” she said. “AAHomecare’s advocacy efforts help HME providers and the patients they serve. Working together, we can elevate the industry from multiple angles—business, advocacy, and patient care.” The renewed partnership also plays an important role in keeping AAHomecare financially stable, Ryan says.  “Our partnership with Medtrade also provides a significant part of our association’s annual operating budget,” he said. “When you’re taking part in Medtrade as an attendee or an exhibitor, you’re also helping AAHomecare’s efforts to deliver better policies, regulations, and reimbursements for the full scope of the HME community.” 

TwelveStone adds PE exec as president 

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - TwelveStone Health Partners, a provider of comprehensive chronic care medication services, has named Jay McKnight as president, reporting to CEO Shane Reeves. McKnight joins TwelveStone after a two-year stint as operating partner at Varsity Healthcare, a private equity firm.  “We are thrilled to have Jay join TwelveStone at this pivotal juncture in our organizational development,” said Reeves. “Given my schedule as a Tennessee State Senator and founder of TwelveStone, having expertise in operational optimization will be a significant benefit as we prepare for hyper growth.” Prior to Varsity, Jay served as CFO and then president and CEO of post-acute care provider, Diversicare Healthcare Services. At TwelveStone, McKnight will be focused on leveraging his experience with mergers and acquisitions, technology integration and operational process development to scale and prepare underlying business functions for continued aggressive growth. “I look forward to collaborating with Shane to achieve his vision for TwelveStone,” said McKnight. “I have great respect for what Shane and the team have built and really appreciate the culture and incredible patient experience delivered by TwelveStone.”  

Related: TwelveStone recently sold its long-term care and MEDIpack service lines to Middle Tennessee Pharmacy Services in a move to narrow its focus on its rapidly growing infusion service business, which includes 21 centers in the southeastern U.S. across Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. 

Representatives push standing systems 

WASHINGTON – NCART reports that Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., leaders of the Disability Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, have introduced a “Dear Colleague” letter asking CMS to open the coverage determination for power standing systems. “Please contact your U.S. representative today and urge them to sign on to the Dingell/Fitzpatrick congressional sign-on letter urging CMS to promptly open the NCA and public comment period regarding coverage for standing systems in power wheelchairs,” the organization stated in an email bulletin. The letter is a follow up to an earlier letter in June 2023. It also follows a letter in August from U.S. Sens. Bob Casey, D-Iowa, Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., which called on CMS to extend Medicare coverage to standing systems. The original request to cover standing systems was submitted in September 2020. 

Send an email to your representative here.