In brief: NSM replaces new CEO, ResMed acquires Somnoware

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - National Seating & Mobility has announced that its CFO, Chuck Bodner, has been appointed interim CEO effective immediately. 

The announcement comes just months after NSM announced on April 10 that Tony Ueber, who most recently served as CEO of 24 Hour Fitness, was CEO effective immediately, replacing Bill Mixon. 

“NSM is well positioned as a leader in the CRT industry, and I look forward to working alongside the rest of our deeply talented and seasoned leadership team to build on our positive momentum,” said Bodner. “We will continue to focus on ensuring the best experience for our clients.”   

Mixon, who served as CEO for nine years, has transitioned to a position on NSM’s board of directors.   

NSM has made a number of other leadership changes this year, including Gregg Meheriuk, also previously of 24 Hour Fitness, as senior vice president of new business and strategy, and Matt Nelis to division vice president for the West region, replacing John Bertone. 

CMS issues rule with DME provisions 

WASHINGTON – CMS on June 30 issued a home health proposed rule that codifies returning Medicare rates for DME in non-rural/non-CBAs to levels prior to regulatory and legislative relief during the public health emergency. 

The CY 2024 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update, expected to be published in the Federal Register on July 10, also contains several other DME related provisions: 

Lymphedema compression garments 

The proposed rule establishes a Medicare Part B benefit for standard and custom-fitted gradient compression garments and other compression treatment items, for the treatment of lymphedema that are prescribed by an authorized practitioner. It would, among other things, define what constitutes a standard- or custom-fitted gradient compression garment and identify other compression items used for the treatment of lymphedema that would fall under the new benefit category, beginning Jan. 1, 2024. 

Braces 

The proposed rule would also codify the longstanding Medicare definition of brace to provide clarification on the scope of the Medicare Part B benefit for leg, arm, back and neck braces, and as a result, would classify certain exoskeleton-type devices as braces for Medicare payment purposes. 

Refills 

The proposed rule would codify CMS’s long-standing refill policy, with some changes. It would require documentation indicating that the beneficiary confirmed the need for the refill within the 30-day period prior to the end of the current supply. Additionally, it would codify the requirement that delivery of DMEPOS items (that is, date of service) be no sooner than 10 calendar days before the expected end of the current supply.  

• Read a fact sheet on the rule here.

ResMed acquires Somnoware 

SAN DIEGO – ResMed has acquired Somnoware, a sleep management software for physicians and sleep and pulmonary function labs. 

The software streamlines the processes of diagnosing and evaluating a patient’s sleep and respiratory care test results, ordering PAP treatment equipment, setting up appointments, tracking PAP compliance, and electronically providing this information directly into a patient’s electronic health record – all from within one platform. 

“We are thrilled to welcome the Somnoware team to ResMed,” said ResMed Sleep & Respiratory Care President Lucile Blaise. “We're committed to driving wider adoption of Somnoware's open and interoperable platform to help more people with OSA or COPD get the diagnoses and treatment solutions they need. Improving patients’ experience and health outcomes is our common goal.” 

ResMed plans to retain all Somnoware staff, integrate its offerings into the ResMed brand and solution ecosystem, and maintain the open and device-agnostic nature of its offerings so end users can keep interoperating with various testing solutions and place orders for treatment devices and accessories from any supplier. 

“I’m thrilled to join forces with ResMed and embark on a shared mission of guiding people toward better sleep and improved breathing,” said Subath Kamalasan, Somnoware’s cofounder and CEO. “Our partnership will open new avenues to help physicians with the critical task of chronic care management. Together, we are committed to driving innovation and delivering solutions that improve the health of patients with sleep disorders and other chronic respiratory diseases.” 

The transaction’s financial terms were not disclosed and are not material to ResMed’s consolidated financial results. 

SAFE Act would cover ancillary equipment in climate disaster 

WASHINGTON – Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., has introduced the Survival Aid for Emergencies (SAFE) through Medicare Act, a bill that would require Medicare to cover the full cost of equipment medically necessary for those at-risk in the event of a climate disaster. The bill would ensure that air conditioners, refrigerators, generators, solar batteries, and more are covered so that seniors and people with disabilities are able to safely weather any storm or natural disaster with their life-sustaining medications or medical-equipment at hand. “Climate justice is a matter of disability justice,” said Markey. “When the temperature skyrockets and the power goes out, things like solar batteries and heat pumps become medical devices. The SAFE through Medicare Act will keep people safe in their homes and prevent medical tragedies. It’s time that we guarantee that seniors and people with disabilities can safely weather the climate crisis.” Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Fla., has introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives. Specifically, the bill would require Medicare coverage for 100% of the cost of home resiliency services or items that the Department of Health and Human Services determines are medically necessary for an individual who is medically at-risk in the event of a climate or manmade disaster, including extreme heat, extreme cold, flooding and loss of power. In determining whether a service or item is medically necessary, HHS would consider geographic risk, regional history of disasters, medical reliance on sensitive equipment and supplies, and chronic medical conditions and comorbidities. 

SCMESA’s Bobby Horton passes 

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – Bobby Horton, executive director of the South Carolina Medical Equipment Services Association (SCMESA), passed June 29. Horton, 87, advocated for suppliers at both the state and federal level, and was instrumental in getting prescribed equipment and supplies exempted from the state sales tax in 2013, says Andrea Stark, who described him as a friend and mentor to many. “Bobby was an expert at cultivating relationships,” said Stark, a Medicare consultant and reimbursement specialist with MiraVista, which is based in Columbia, S.C. “He used that expertise to tirelessly advocate for the HME suppliers in our state at the State House and on Capitol Hill. He helped the South Carolina legislature understand the importance of HME access, and he was instrumental in the 2013 exemption of prescribed equipment and supplies from South Carolina sales tax.” Outside of HME, Horton served as mayor of West Columbia, S.C., from 2004 to 2011, and again from 2015 to 2019, and was on the City Council from 1977 to 1989. According to his obituary, Horton had “an unyielding dedication to the betterment of West Columbia.” Horton was especially proud of his involvement in developing Carraway Park into a park for children of all abilities in West Columbia. His contributions to the state were recognized in November of 2019 when he received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor. 

VGM Canada seeks nominations 

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Canada is accepting nominations for the Canadian HME Women of the Year Award through July 23. The award is open to all women who work in the HME or mobility industry in Canada who have made significant contributions throughout their career to serve patients, community, business and the industry. Nominees can be physiotherapists, occupational therapists, manufacturers and other professionals in the industry. “Last year, we were excited to announce Cindy Wickens, founding partner for Xperience Home Healthcare in Windsor, Ontario, as the winner of the first annual Canadian HME Woman of the Year award,” said Dave Davies, president, VGM Canada. “This award provides recognition and visibility to incredible leaders in our industry, and we are thrilled to continue recognizing the amazing women with this award.” The winner will be announced during the Canadian Seating & Mobility Conference on Sept. 12-13 in Toronto. Nominations can be made here.