In brief: Elevance Health’s vertical integration, Aeroflow’s rebrand, Lifeway’s acquisition 

INDIANAPOLIS – Elevance Health, which, through its affiliates, offers a comprehensive suite of commercial, Medicare and Medicaid plans, has entered into an agreement to buy Paragon Healthcare, a Plano, Texas-based provider with a network of ambulatory infusion centers, home infusion pharmacies and specialty pharmacies. 

Elevance Health’s affiliates include Anthem and Wellpoint, as well as Carelon. Paragon Healthcare will operate as part of CarelonRx, the pharmacy services segment of the company. 

“The acquisition of Paragon Healthcare will deepen our capabilities around providing affordable, convenient access to specialty medications and best-in-class services for our members living with chronic and complex illnesses,” said Pete Haytaian, executive vice president, Elevance Health, and president, Carelon. “Together, Elevance Health and Paragon Healthcare will have the ability to provide members with greater choice on the most appropriate site of care options, such as ambulatory or in-home locations, which will remove barriers to care and better support members’ whole health.” 

Paragon Healthcare serves more than 35,000 patients at more than 40 ambulatory infusion centers across eight states and in patients’ homes. The company helps treat more than 300 health conditions with 24/7 on-call support.   

Following the acquisition, Elevance Health will look to expand Paragon Healthcare’s geographical footprint and operations, while bolstering its therapeutic coverage. 

Another Carelon division, Carelon Insights, provides medical benefits management and is composed of brands formerly operating as AIM Specialty Health, Meridian Resource Company, and myNEXUS. 

Aeroflow Healthcare rebrands 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Aeroflow Healthcare is rebranding to Aeroflow Health to emphasize its work to provide patients with easy access to integrated health solutions covered by their insurance. 

The company has launched a new logo and corporate website, www.AeroflowHealth.com, as part of its rebrand. 

“As an organization who focuses so heavily on transformation, we felt this rebrand would unify us and allow us to vocalize the benefits of each of our consumer brands brings,” said Ryan Bullock, chief strategy officer. “We are committed to adapting and growing within the ever-evolving health care industry. The rebrand of Aeroflow Health reflects that ethos, reinforcing our dedication to continuously evolving to meet the needs of patients and health care providers nationwide. We are proud of our team and its growth and look forward to further success in 2024 and beyond.” 

Aeroflow’s catalog of solutions includes Aeroflow Breastpumps, Aeroflow Diabetes, Aeroflow Sleep and Aeroflow Urology. 

The company, which has partnerships with more than 1,000 different insurance plans, reached the milestone of serving more than 1 million patients within 12 months in 2023. 

Inogen names chief commercial officer 

GOLETA, Calif. – Inogen’s board of directors has named Gregoire Ramade as chief commercial officer. Most recently, he served as the company’s senior vice president of international sales from November 2023. Prior to that, he was the senior vice president and chief commercial officer of Vapotherm from October 2020 to October 2023 and vice president, international sales and worldwide marketing, since May 2016. Ramade’s experience also includes a stint at Philips Respironics: senior marketing director home healthcare solution from 2010 to 2012, marketing director EMEA from 2005 to 2009 and product manager of consumable masks and accessories from 2004 to 2005. 

NSM names CIO 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - National Seating & Mobility has named Shayn Spingler as CIO. She joins the company from Hill International, a global construction services company operating in 40 countries, where she was senior vice president of global information technology. “We are pleased to welcome Shayn to the NSM team,” said Crispin Teufel, CEO. “Her proven experience in a wide range of technology roles teamed with a passion for serving others makes her uniquely equipped to develop our technology roadmap and team.” At Hill International, Spingler provided operational and infrastructure leadership for a geographically diverse workforce, overseeing IT strategy, ERP solutions, security, helpdesk, support services, network and telephony. Her experience in developing and executing merger and acquisition due diligence and integration strategy, along with her close collaboration on private compliance and audit, will align with NSM’s strategic vision for information technology, the company says. “I am excited to join this mission-centered company and look forward to working closely with the team to drive technology solutions that will enhance the services we provide NSM clients,” Spingler said. 

Abbott, Tandem integrate 

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., and SAN DIEGO – Abbott and Tandem Diabetes Care have announced that the t:slim X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ technology is the first automated insulin delivery system to integrate with the newly available FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor. For the first time, FreeStyle Libre technology users in the United States are now able to experience the therapeutic benefits of a hybrid closed-loop system that helps predict and prevent high and low blood sugar. “Tandem’s leadership in AID innovation is underscored with this milestone of launching the first insulin pump to be compatible with Abbott’s CGM technology in the U.S.,” said John Sheridan, president and CEO of Tandem Diabetes Care. “This represents another step forward in our commitment to provide customizable solutions to help reduce burden and create new possibilities for people living with diabetes.” Tandem’s t:slim X2 insulin pump connects wirelessly to the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor, which sends automatic glucose readings every minute to the pump. Users can conveniently see their minute-to-minute glucose data on the pump and accompanying t:connect mobile app. The pump’s Control-IQ technology predicts glucose levels 30 minutes into the future, automatically adjusting insulin delivery every five minutes based on CGM readings and can deliver automatic correction boluses (up to one per hour) to help prevent hyperglycemia. Tandem will email instructions to all in-warranty t:slim X2 users in the U.S., offering the option to add the new FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor integration at no cost via remote software update. t:slim X2 pumps pre-loaded with the updated software are now shipping to new customers.   

PCC launches Sole Marketing 

METUCHEN, N.J. – Podiatry Content Connection has launched Sole Marketing to provide podiatrists with communication, reminders and patient education to drive orthotic sales. "Many podiatrists lose orthotic sales to retail stores which offer the wrong solution for the patient,” said PCC National Director Randy Rosler. “Custom orthotics, designed and manufactured for the specific patient, deliver better results. Our Sole Marketing system connects the podiatrist with the patient and promotes proper care.” Sole Marketing offers, among other things, orthotics featured on a website, designed banner, landing page, appointment form and email campaign. PCC, which was founded by Jeffrey Hartman in 2009, is a certified Google Partner and its staff is certified in Google Ads. 

Lifeway Mobility debuts in Georgia 

ATLANTA – Lifeway Mobility has entered the Georgia market with the acquisition of Mobility Center of Georgia based in Snellville, which serves the Atlanta metro area. Steve Norton, the owner of Mobility Center of Georgia, will continue in his role as an accessibility consultant, technician and operations lead. “We are very excited to expand our offerings for home access and mobility by joining forces with Lifeway Mobility,” said Norton, who has more than 30 years of experience providing accessibility solutions. “We have built our business by helping our customers live in the homes they love and continue to have access to multiple levels and get in and out of their homes. Now we can expand to cover more of the Atlanta area.” Lifeway Mobility will open a new warehouse facility in Norcross to store equipment and quickly serve customers in the area. The company, which offers a full selection of accessibility and safety equipment, including stairlifts, ramps and bath safety solutions, expects to open locations in Milwaukee and Madison soon, according to its website. 

NSM names RCM exec 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has named Mike Peters chief revenue cycle officer. He will be responsible for funding, billing and collections, and payer relations and operations. “Mike’s extensive experience and impressive track record of enhancing revenue cycle performance will be invaluable to our mission and future success,” said Crispin Teufel, who recently took over as CEO of NSM. “His leadership will also be critical in our efforts to advance appropriate payer reimbursement rates that will allow us to better serve our clients. We are excited to welcome him to the NSM team.” Previously, Peters was senior vice president of digital patient solutions and partnerships at Lucira Health, a med-tech company focused on the development of portable, advanced molecular diagnostic solutions. He also led the company’s integration with Pfizer. Additionally, he has served as the executive vice president of revenue cycle management for Enovis, formerly DJO Global, where he led a team of 450 responsible for contracting, automation and optimization. “I am honored to have the opportunity to support NSM’s mission and vision as Chief Revenue Cycle Officer,” said Peters. “I am looking forward to working with the exceptional team in place to continue to streamline and enhance revenue operations in support of our payer partners and clients.” 

NRRTS becomes iNRRTS 

LUBBOCK, Texas – NRRTS has announced that it has changed its name to iNRRTS effective immediately. “The additions of Canadian and Australian suppliers to the registry has made it clear to use that the need for quality complex rehabilitation technology does not stop at a geographical boundary,” said Carey Britton, ATP/SMS, CRTS, president of NRRTS. “We are excited to announce our new trade name, which reflects our commitment to advancing the field of complex rehab technology globally. We believe that iNRRTS will help us to be recognized for promoting the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and service delivery for the benefit of people with disabilities everywhere.” During the first quarter of 2024, iNRRTS will update its graphics and branding to reflect the new name and will share those assets with its registrants, Friends of NRRTS and supporters.