In brief: React Health and Rotech CEOs, Philips medical device reports 

SARASOTA, Fla. – React Health has appointed Bill Shoop, most recently vice president and general manager of ResMed North America, as its CEO. 

“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to join this experienced and talented team,” he said. “I believe React Health is very well positioned to help the industry and continue to advance our mission of delivering innovative solutions that positively impact patients’ lives and the people that care for them.” 

Shoop, who has more than two decades of experience in the health care industry, assumed the role on Feb. 1. 

“Bill is a proven executive with a successful record of building strong and diverse teams,” said Sean Heniger, a member of the company’s board of directors. “He is a passionate leader who delivers results.” 

React Health also recently named Colleen Lance as chief medical officer.  

Rotech names new CEO 

ORLANDO, Fla. – Rotech Healthcare has announced that Tim Pigg has transitioned from CEO to executive chairman of the board. 

Pigg, who has served as CEO for the past 10 years and in various other leadership positions at the company for a total of 40 years, will be succeeded by Robin Menchen, who has been promoted from president and COO to president and CEO. 

“I have worked closely with Robin for over two decades and she has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and a deep understanding of Rotech’s goals and values,” Pigg said. “I am confident Robin, with the continued support of the executive team, will continue to drive our company’s success. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Rotech’s CEO, and I will cherish the memories and relationships I have forged during my tenure.” 

Menchen has also served as Rotech’s chief administrative officer, vice president of compliance and in various other leadership roles over the past 30 years. 

Rotech provides HME products and services in 50 states through approximately 300 operating locations. 

The company made news most recently with a Humana contract that it shares with AdaptHealth and its potential sale. 

HCSC buys Cigna’s MA business 

CHICAGO – HCSC has signed a definitive agreement with the Cigna Group to buy its Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Benefits, Medicare Part D and CareAllies businesses for $3.3 billion. 

HCSC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, bills itself as the largest customer-owned health insurer, serving more than 22 million people across the United States. 

“The acquisition will bring many opportunities to HCSC and its members — including a wider range of product offerings, robust clinical programs and a larger geographic reach,” said Maurice Smith, HCSC’s CEO, president and vice chairman. “It builds on our commitment to expand access to quality, affordable care for people in all phases of their lives. We look forward to welcoming new members who will benefit from our proven community-first member and provider engagement model that values local relationships.” 

Cigna’s Medicare plans currently serve 3.6 million Medicare members, with nearly 600,000 in Medicare Advantage plans, more than 450,000 on Medicare Supplement plans and 2.5 million with Medicare Part D. CareAllies, which serves approximately 450,000 patients, is focused on driving the transition to physician value-based care by partnering with providers to form independent physician associations and accountable care organizations, as well as providing management services to support value-based care arrangements. 

HCSC expects to complete the acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, in 2025.  

WellSky leverages Google’s AI tech 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – WellSky has a new strategic partnership with Google Cloud to leverage its secure cloud technologies, advanced data analytics tools, machine learning capabilities and artificial intelligence platform Vertex AI. Over the past few years, WellSky has significantly invested in modernizing its IT infrastructure, and this partnership with Google Cloud will accelerate those efforts. “AI technology can serve as a fundamental tool in making healthcare insights more accessible and meaningful for clinicians,” said WellSky CEO Bill Miller. “As with any tool at our disposal, we will implement it in a way that is focused on helping caregivers improve patient outcomes, provide more effective services, and increase efficiency. I see no shortage of possibilities in this emerging space.” AI tools embedded into WellSky solutions will allow the company to automate repetitive tasks that can be done without human interaction. For example, WellSky plans to equip health care providers with immediate access to contextually relevant historical patient information, trends and anomalies to power more efficient, intelligent care during care transitions. Additionally, the company is automating portions of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) assessment used in Medicare home health care, freeing caregivers to spend more time one-on-one with patients. 

Ascensia names leader for CGM business 

TOKYO – PHC Holdings Corp., the parent company of Ascensia Diabetes Care, and Senseonics Holdings have announced that diabetes industry veteran Brian Hansen has been appointed to the newly created role of president of CGM at Ascensia Diabetes Care effective today, Feb. 6, 2024. Hansen will be responsible for the global commercialization and growth of the Eversense CGM, which is currently available in the U.S. and select European markets. “Eversense is a game-changer for people with diabetes and is an essential part of both Ascensia’s commitment to providing high-quality and life-enhancing products and PHC Group’s global business strategy,” said Koichiro Sato, COO of PHC Group. “Brian is ideally suited to lead our CGM business and enable us to realize the full potential of Eversense in the CGM market.” Hansen previously served as chief commercial officer for Tandem Diabetes Care, where he helped transform the company into a worldwide market leader, increasing patient utilization of Tandem products in the highly competitive insulin pump market. He has built a reputation for launching innovative products and overcoming commercial challenges with complex medical and regulatory landscapes. He has also held leadership positions at Adaptive Biotechnologies, Genoptix, Gen Probe and Thermo Fisher Scientific.  

Philips sends more MDRs to FDA 

WASHINGTON – Philips has submitted more than 7,000 medical device reports, including 111 reports of death, for July 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2023, that are associated with the breakdown or suspected breakdown of the foam used in the ventilators and BiPAP and CPAP devices included in its large recall, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Since April 2021, the company has submitted more than 116,000 MDRs, including 561 reports of death, reportedly associated with the breakdown or associated breakdown of the foam. Philips recently announced that it has agreed on the terms of a multi-year consent decree with the FDA related to the recall. As part of the consent decree, the company will not sell new CPAP or BiPAP devices or other respiratory devices in the U.S. Philips has stated, however, that it is committed to resuming sales, once the relevant requirements of the consent decree are met. 

NHIA releases standard for electronic mechanical pump 

WASHINGTON – The National Home Infusion Association has developed a consensus practice standard to help clinicians assess situations and determine when an electronic mechanical pump is recommended to administer an infusion medication in the home settings. The purpose of the standard, which was developed by the NHIA’s Quality and Standards and Clinical Practice committees, is to ensure patient safety and minimize adverse events, avoid unplanned hospitalization and emergency room visits, and prevent disruptions in treatment. The NHIA noted that the pharmacist and nurse are responsible for participating in the selection of an appropriate method of administration to be used in delivering parenteral medications to patients infusing medications at home. The target audience for the standard includes clinicians, regulatory agencies, reimbursement professionals and industry stakeholders. Download the standard here. 

MediStreams highlights performance 

ROSWELL, Ga. – MediStreams, a provider of health care remittance and reconciliation solutions, ended 2023 with more than 500 end-clients on its platform, representing nearly 15,000 unique provider locations, clinics, branches and facilities. "MediStreams experienced tremendous growth and success throughout 2023,” said Jim Coyle, CEO. “As we carry that strong momentum into 2024, we look forward to strengthening our leading position in the market and delivering exceptional service for our clients.” Since its inception in 2009, MediStreams has processed remittances for $82.9 billion in payments. The company says it also signed several new channel partnerships with resellers, including leading banks, clearinghouses, outsourced revenue cycle management vendors, practice management systems and consulting groups in 2023. Other highlights for last year include hiring its first CFO, Joe Maher, and fully commercializing its Enhanced Reconciliation product suite, with several enterprise health systems, physician practices and DME clients now using the product.