In brief: Lobby day returns, Strive boosts diabetes biz, Heartland opens registration

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare will host its first full-scale, in-person Washington Legislative Conference in six years on May 12-13.  

“2025 has ushered in a new administration and major leadership changes on congressional committees of jurisdiction for health care finance issues,” the association stated in a bulletin. “Our industry must take advantage of the opportunity to enlist new advocates for HME on Capitol Hill and strengthen relationships with our established champions.”  

The event will include a networking reception and dinner May 12, 5-9:30 p.m., followed by a full day to meet members of congress and staff on May 13.    

Key talking points for the conference:  

• Restore 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement relief.  

• Deliver a long-term solution that aligns rates with market reality for suppliers in former bidding areas.  

• Ensure Medicare Advantage plans don’t limit coverage for HME products.  

• Protect Medicaid benefits.  

• Pass common-sense carbon/titanium wheelchair legislation.  

• Reform the UPIC Program.  

• Increase support for DME e-prescribing.  

AAHomecare will provide advance education and help to schedule meetings with legislators and staff.  

Registration is free for AAHomecare members and $129 for non-members.  

Register for the 2025 WLC here. 

Strive Medical builds out diabetes biz 

IRVING, Texas – Strive Medical, a portfolio company of NMS Capital, has acquired Charles Pharmacy & Surgical, a pharmacy and provider of diabetes supplies since 1968.  

This strategic acquisition represents a major milestone in Strive Medical's continuous growth and dedication to delivering top-quality medical supplies and services to patients throughout the United States, the company says.  

"We are thrilled to welcome Charles Pharmacy into the Strive Medical community," said Todd Philbrick, CEO. "This acquisition aligns with our mission to deliver the highest quality care and products to our patients. We look forward to working closely with the team at Charles Pharmacy to continue providing exceptional service to New York."  

In 2024, Strive acquired ProMed DME, a Stuart, Fla.-based provider specializing in diabetes, urology and wound care supplies.  

Paragon Ventures represented Charles Pharmacy in the sale, led by Managing Director April Mason.  

• Related: CGMs spur broader push from buyers. 

Withings: Leverage technology for more reliable definition of obesity 

BOSTON – Nearly 40% of consumers classified as overweight or obese under traditional body mass index (BMI) definitions would no longer carry that diagnosis under newly proposed criteria recently published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, according to an analysis by Withings. Withings, which has been offering scales with body composition assessment since 2009, analyzed data from 3.4 million anonymized users aged between 20 and 79 years old and found:  

• More than a third (38.4%) of people classified as “overweight” under BMI guidelines have unhealthy fat and should receive further screenings for organ dysfunction and metabolic disease;  

• 2% of people with a “normal” BMI have high body fat percentages, exposing hidden metabolic risks;  

• 6% of those classified as “obese” based on BMI exhibit low health risks when assessed through body composition analysis and would not be considered obese under the new guidelines.  

"Relying solely on BMI oversimplifies health assessments, leading to misjudgments, treatment disparities and weight-related stigma," said Aline Criton, chief clinical and regulatory affairs officer at Withings. "Our findings highlight the significant impact of adopting a more reliable definition of obesity. With this new definition, over a third of our users would be reclassified, profoundly influencing clinical and lifestyle decisions." While BMI has historically been the only inexpensive, non-invasive approach for identifying obesity in clinical settings, advances in technology and methodology have rendered clinical reliance on this outdated tool obsolete, Withings says. Utilizing home-based connected devices, such as Withings' body composition scales, empowers both physicians and users to tailor treatments and health behaviors effectively. 

MediStreams hosts Client Advisory Board 

ATLANTA – MediStreams recently hosted its first-ever Client Advisory Board in Atlanta. The two-day event brought together key stakeholders, including revenue cycle leaders from health systems, ambulatory practices and DME providers, to collaborate on the future of revenue cycle management (RCM) solutions. “At MediStreams, we believe innovation starts with listening,” said John Koch, COO. “Launching our Client Advisory Board is a natural evolution of our customer-first culture and our longstanding commitment to collaborating with clients to enhance our solutions to impact their business positively. By engaging directly with our clients, we ensure that our solutions evolve in alignment with real-world needs—delivering greater efficiency, automation, and value to healthcare providers.” MediStreams clients shared firsthand experiences and industry insights and discussed the evolving challenges within the RCM industry. Through interactive discussions, clients explored innovative product enhancement ideas, exchanged best practices, and contributed to shaping the company’s strategic roadmap. MediStreams works with more than 20 of the nation’s largest health systems, several of the largest DME providers, and hundreds of physician practices and other providers. 

AAHomecare launches resource for new cath codes 

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has created a landing page with information and resources regarding new HCPCS codes for hydrophilic intermittent urinary catheters that go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. On this site, you will find links to:  

• PDAC Hydrophilic Intermittent Urinary Catheter Crosswalk  

• Primer on the new HCPCS code in PowerPoint format for providers to use to present information on the new codes to payers.  

• White paper titled, "New HCPCS Codes for Intermittent Catheters, Effective January 1, 2026," created by AAHomecare in partnership with United Spinal Association's Access & Care Coalition.  

AAHomecare submitted a request to CMS to expand the HCPCS codes list for intermittent catheters (ICs) based on analysis and review by the Intermittent Catheter Coding Reform Coalition (ICCRC), a group of AAHomecare member companies that manufacture and distribute intermittent catheters.    

• Related: Catheter proposal is ‘huge step forward’   

• Related: PDAC preps for new cath codes  

Heartland registration opens 

WATERLOO, Iowa – Registration is open for VGM’s Heartland Conference June 9-11 in Waterloo, Iowa. Registrants can choose from more than 60 educational sessions and panel discussions to attend and earn contact hours/CEUs on topics such as billing and compliance, technology and security, business operations, complex rehab technology, leadership and people strategy, respiratory, sales, marketing, and integrated health and policy topics. “VGM Heartland Conference always offers a fun, vibrant and dynamic atmosphere for attendees to forge new connections while enjoying the famous VGM and midwestern hospitality,” said Jill Blaser, Heartland Conference chair. “There is something for everyone at the Heartland Conference, where community meets opportunity and knowledge meets innovation.” Special early bird pricing is available to those who register prior to April 18. Passes are all-inclusive and provide access to every opportunity Heartland has to offer, including an exhibit hall with the hottest products and business solutions offered by VGM's vast network of vendor partners and extensive networking opportunities, such as the “Party on the Plaza” kick-off event, the new “Mingle on Main Street,” and the concluding Farewell at the VGM Farm, the WaterLuau. To learn more and register for Heartland 2025, click here. 

F&P moves forward with construction plans 

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Fisher & Paykel has signed a building construction contract with Dominion Constructors for the fifth building on its East Tāmaki campus in Auckland. “We are excited to add this new building to complete our East Tāmaki campus,” said Andy Niccol, COO. “This project is a purposeful investment in infrastructure to ensure we have the necessary capacity and resources in New Zealand to progress our pipeline of innovative products and therapies.” With a total gross floor area of about 28,000 square meters, the new building will showcase a cohesive blend of spaces for research and development, manufacturing and distribution. The building’s design will reflect the company’s culture of collaboration, with an open-plan work environment. The estimated total cost of the new building is expected to be approximately NZ$250 million. 

Henry Schein acquires vaccine provider 

MELVILLE, N.Y. – Henry Schein has acquired R. Weinstein, Inc., a provider of vaccines, medical-surgical products and equipment to Hawaii-based health care facilities and practitioners. Headquartered in Honolulu, R. Weinstein was established in 1984 and reported sales of approximately $11 million in 2024. “Our investment in R. Weinstein helps position us for long-term success across the Hawaiian health care sector by expanding our geographic footprint, growing our customer base and leveraging the expertise of our new colleagues,” said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board and CEO of Henry Schein. “We welcome the R. Weinstein team and look forward to continuing to help Hawaii-based health care practitioners deliver the best quality patient care while operating more efficient and profitable practices.” The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition of R. Weinstein strengthens Henry Schein’s presence across the Hawaiian Islands while offering R. Weinstein’s customers access to the company’s expanded distribution network and comprehensive portfolio of products, services, technology and supply chain solutions.  

• Related: Henry Schein implements new org structure. 

NHIA honors Maritza DeGagne 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Home Infusion Foundation (NHIF) has announced that Maritza DeGagne, RPh is the recipient of the 2025 Lynn Giglione Women in Leadership Award. DeGagne recently retired as senior vice president of field operations at Option Care Health after a 35-year career.  DeGagne participated in the development of Option Care Health’s pharmacy resident program. She has also been a role model to other female leaders through mentorship and helping launch the Women’s Leadership Networking Group. Under her leadership, hundreds of people were mentored and promoted. Many of them report that her guidance, support and investment in their success were pivotal. “Maritza exemplifies home infusion’s core values,” said NHIF Board Chair David Franklin. “She has a long history of dedication to quality patient care, operating with integrity and innovation, passionately mentoring her people, striving for excellence, and being inclusive and engaging. This award was designed to celebrate that very spirit.” DeGagne will receive the award at NHIA’s 2025 Annual Conference. The Lynn Giglione Women in Leadership Award recognizes and honors trail-blazing and emerging women leaders who have demonstrated exemplary service to patients and their peers while promoting the mission of NHIF. The award was established in 2015 to commemorate the late Lynn Giglione—the award’s namesake and a trailblazer in the home and alternate site infusion industry—who was a founding board member of NHIF.