In brief: Philips grows sales, Woman of the Year noms open 

AMSTERDAM – Philips’ Connected Care business saw a 10% increase in comparable sales in the third quarter, with double-digit growth in monitoring. 

Overall, the company reported group sales of EUR 4.5 billion and comparable sales growth of 11%. 

“Our improved operational performance was driven by our focus on execution to enhance patient safety and quality, strengthen our supply chain reliability and establish a simplified operating model,” said Roy Jakobs, CEO. “The order book remains strong, and we are taking the necessary actions to improve order intake by shortening lead times from order to delivery and building on the positive impact we are making with our innovations, for example in predictive data analytics and artificial intelligence across our portfolio, to help improve the quality and efficiency of care delivery.” 

Income from operations was EUR 224 million for the quarter, compared to a loss of EUR 1,529 million for the same quarter in 2022. Adjusted EBITDA increased to EUR 457 million, or 10.2% of sales, compared to 4.8% of sales in the same quarter in 2022. 

Completing the Philips Respironics recall remains the company’s “highest priority,” with the remediation of the sleep therapy devices almost complete and remediation of the ventilators ongoing, said Jakobs. Earlier this month, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested that Philips conduct additional testing on the health risks related to the sound abatement foam in certain recalled ventilators and BiPAP and CPAP devices.  

In October 2023, Philips Respironics received preliminary court approval for the settlement agreement to resolve all economic loss claims in the U.S. Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) related to the recall, for which Philips had recorded a provision of EUR 575 million in Q1 2023. The settlement does not include or constitute any admission of liability, wrongdoing or fault by any of the Philips parties. 

For the full year, Philips expects 6-7% comparable sales growth and an adjusted EBITA margin of 10%-11%. 

2023 WOY nominations now open 

WATERLOO, Iowa – Nominations for the 2023 HME Woman of the Year Award are being accepted now through Nov. 20, 2023.  

The eighth annual award, presented by VGM Group, recognizes a woman who has made increasingly significant contributions throughout her career to her company, community and the home medical equipment industry.   

“The HME Woman of the Year Award honors the incredible dedication that women have to the industry,” said Mike Mallaro, CEO of VGM Group. “It recognizes women who lead in a variety of ways, whether it’s being an innovator in the profession, sharing their expertise with their peers, or their devotion to helping others.”  

Each year dozens of nominations are received from across the nation. Nominees include providers, manufacturers, association executives and other professionals in the home medical equipment, rehab, respiratory and mastectomy industries.  

Past winners include: 

• 2022 - Sherry Krug, Binson’s Medical Equipment & Supplies   
• 2021 - Katie Stevens, Reliable Medical Supply 
• 2020 - Patty Mastandrea, MedCare Equipment Co.  
• 2019 - Wendy Russalesi, AdaptHealth  
• 2018 - Georgie Blackburn, Blackburn’s  
• 2017 - Barbara Smith, Healthline Medical Equipment  
• 2016 - Dr. Kirsten Davin, Precision Seating Solutions 

"Chances are you know a woman deserving of this award," said Jeremy Stolz, president of VGM & Associates and VGM Fulfillment. "Think of the people you work with every day, then be sure to submit your nomination." 

HME Woman of the Year nominations are open to all women who work within the HME industry, regardless of title or position. 

Nominations can be submitted online by visiting www.vgmgroup.com/womanoftheyear. The winner will be announced during a virtual ceremony on Dec. 21, 2023. 

VGM taps Isaacson as SVP gov’t relations 

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM & Associates has named Ike Isaacson as senior vice president of Government Relations. In this new role he will focus on advocating for and elevating the DMEPOS industry. “I genuinely believe that our industry is in a very strong place,” said Isaacson. “Even with all the challenges, our members are better equipped to be champions of change for better policy, regulation and reimbursement. I’ve been energized for the last six years, collaborating with members from across the industry spectrum, listening, learning, and understanding their pain points, but more importantly, their strengths.” Prior to joining The VGM Group in 2017, Isaacson spent 23 years as a state and national leader in not-for-profit, community-based health care settings. His work advocating alongside individuals, families, communities and health care partners at the state and federal levels centered on providing access to high quality health care and consumer choice. 

REQ names new operations manager 

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Rehabilitation Equipment Associates (REQ), a provider of complex rehab and home accessibility solutions, has named Gary Robbins operations manager. Robbins previously held roles at Keene Medical Products. “In my capacity as REQ's newly appointed operations manager, I am thrilled to be a part of this exceptional organization,” said Robbins. “With over 30 years of experience in the home medical equipment industry, I am dedicated to enhancing processes and collaborating with REQ's team, clientele, and partners to carry on the legacy of the Soderquist family.” REQ, which was founded in 1983 by Janet Soderquist, serves customers through three locations in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. 

Insulet gets FDA clearance for iPhone app 

ACTON, Mass. – Insulet has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Omnipod 5 App for iPhone, making Insulet the first company to offer a tubeless automated insulin delivery (AID) system with full control from a compatible Android and iOS smartphone. "Today, we celebrate this significant milestone in our ongoing effort to provide people with diabetes solutions that improve their lives and help them think less about diabetes," said Eric Benjamin, executive vice president, chief product & customer experience officer. "We are thrilled to add the iOS platform to our mobile app offerings and elevate Omnipod 5’s market-leading position in phone-controlled AID systems." Since its full commercial launch in August 2022, the Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System has included the option for smartphone control for customers using compatible Android devices. The Omnipod 5 App for iPhone will launch first with the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System integration, with a full market release in 2024. Users of the Omnipod 5 System can download the iPhone App free of charge once available. 

Dynarex announces winner of Caring Award 

ORANGEBURG, N.Y. – Dynarex Corp. has honored Jamie Gray, the EMS director for the state of Alabama, with the 2023 Dynarex EMS First Responder Caring Award. The company gives out the award each year to honor EMS professionals who show outstanding dedication to their community. "As long-time supporters of the EMS community, we are proud to sponsor this prestigious award to honor and recognize the entire EMS profession — and all EMS professionals — who provide quality emergency patient care to their communities every day," said Dynarex CEO Zalman Tenenbaum. "We remain deeply committed to equipping these heroes with the tools they need to save lives and provide exceptional care." John Burns, director of Dynarex’s corporate training and events, presented Gray with the award during the opening ceremony of the EMS World Expo in New Orleans. In addition to being the EMS director for the state of Alabama, Gray runs medical calls on a volunteer basis and has served as a firefighter for nearly 25 years. He is also a disaster medic with the National Disaster Medical System, as well as a volunteer member of a Law Enforcement Special Operations Unit Evacuation Team and current chairman of the National Association of State EMS Officials. 

Oxygen Plus agrees to pay $200K 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Oxygen Plus, based in Floyd County, Kentucky, has agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by fraudulently billing Medicare and Medicaid for respiratory devices that patients did not need or use. The government alleged in the settlement agreement that, between January 2017 and June 2021, Oxygen Plus submitted more than 300 false claims to Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid by continuing to seek reimbursement for non-invasive ventilator rentals, even after patients no longer needed the devices or were no longer using them. Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid pay a monthly reimbursement for a patient’s rental of an NIV, but only if the device is necessary and reasonable for the patient’s treatment. The settlement resolves allegations brought in a lawsuit filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act by two former employees of Oxygen Plus.