In brief: ResMed buys remote monitoring company, investor funds nat’l rollout for orthotics 

HARROGATE, United Kingdon – Inhealthcare, which provides remote monitoring and virtual wards to support the treatment of 4 million patients across the U.K., has been bought by ResMed, according to TheBusinessDesk.com, a regional business news website. “By joining forces, we will be able to expand service offerings, scale operations and extend impact on patient care throughout the U.K.,” Inhealthcare CEO Bryn Sage told TheBusinessDesk in a statement. Inhealthcare generated revenues of £2.2m in the year to March 2023 and recorded a pre-tax loss of £665,000, which it attributed to investing in its pathway development team. The company’s offerings include respiratory virtual ward, oncology service/virtual ward, digital care home monitoring, COPD and heart failure service, hypertension at home, medication reminders and falls prevention. Inhealthcare’s approach is aligned with national plans like Health and Wellbeing 2026 and NHS England’s Five Year Forward View, the company states on its website. 

StateServ highlights ‘one-stop shop’ with new name 

PHOENIX – StateServ, a provider of benefit management solutions for DME and pharmaceuticals for the post-acute care market, has rebranded to Dragonfly Health. The company says the new identity marks an inflection point, as it combines DME and pharmacy offerings, enabling a scalable, holistic care-at-home service platform driven by advanced technology and robust analytics. "It's exciting to mark our 20th anniversary with a rebrand to Dragonfly Health, which symbolizes speed, agility, transformation, and adaptability as we take stock of our legacy and plan for our future,” said Paul DiCosmo, co-founder and CEO. “We see our new identity as more than a name. It is a guiding force that reflects our commitment to being a trusted, one-stop resource for innovative technology and quality services that simplify and enrich the care-at-home experience for our customers, patients, providers and our employees." Dragonfly Health, which is based in Phoenix, says it serves millions of patients annually across all 50 states. WindRose Health Investors, a New York-based health care private equity firm, which acquired StateServ in 2021 and Delta Care RX in 2023, says it remains a critical partner driving the company’s mission forward. "We believe the Dragonfly Health name will become the standard-bearer for high-quality post-acute care, hospice and care-at-home solutions, and we are proud to support the company in its evolution," said Alexander Buzik, partner at WindRose. 

SeaFort helps fund rollout of nat’l platform for orthotics 

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – SeaFort Capital has made a majority investment in The Médicus Group which represents Mable Health’s first investment in the orthotics, prosthetics and mobility aids industry. Mable Health acquired Médicus from Metro and the Bleau family. “We are very excited to be partnered with SeaFort Capital and to support the growth of the Mable Health business,” said Michel Lanctôt, a general manager at Medicus who will now serve as president of Mable Health and Medicus and who will oversee Mable Health’s rollout of a national platform. “We have a successful track record of operating an industry leading business, which we are excited to leverage in expanding Mable Health across Canada.” Headquartered in Montreal and founded in 1957, Médicus operates 19 clinics and employes more than 250 staff, including 145 orthotists, prosthetics, technicians and other professionals. In addition to SeaFort Capital Fund II LP, Michel Coutu, Jacinte Bleau, and Michel Lanctôt are now shareholders in Mable Health, with Médicus existing as a wholly owned subsidiary. Coutu will serve as board chair for Mable Health. He previously served as the president and CEO of The Jean Coutu Group USA, was a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores in the United States and was co-chair of the board of directors of Rite Aid. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, SeaFort Capital is a private equity firm that invests in lower-mid-market Canadian businesses with EBITDA ranging from $2 million to $15 million.   

Eric Olson leads AASM’s board  

DARIEN, Ill. - Eric J. Olson has become the 39th president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine board of directors. During his one-year tenure as president, he will lead and collaborate with the organization’s 12,000 physicians, scientists, allied health professionals and accredited sleep centers to strategically carry out the AASM’s mission of advancing sleep care and enhancing sleep health to improve lives. “With millions of Americans experiencing chronic sleep disorders, the imperative need for innovative, patient-centered care is more pressing than ever,” he said. “It is a privilege to help guide the AASM’s diverse group of sleep medicine professionals as we continue to advocate for patients and educate the public about the importance of sleep for overall well-being.” Olson assumed the role during SLEEP 2024, the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, held in Houston.  As a longstanding member of the AASM, he has held numerous key leadership roles within the organization over the years. He has served on the AASM Foundation board of directors since June 2016, most recently as the 2022-23 secretary/treasurer. Notably, he has brought his expertise to several other pivotal committees, serving as the chair of the Sleep Technologists Issues Committee and as a member of the Education Committee, Clinical Practice Committee, Nosology Committee and Alternative Payment for OSA Task Force. 

HealthWell assists with Transportation expenses 

GERMANTOWN, Md. – The HealthWell Foundation has launched a new fund to provide copayment assistance for travel expenses related to the treatment and management of their disease or condition. HealthWell will provide up to $500 in copayment assistance to eligible patients with annual household incomes up to 500% of the federal poverty level and with an active grant 18 months prior to their application date.  “Launching the General Travel Fund represents filling yet another unmet need for Americans living with a chronic or life-altering disease,” said Fred Larbi, HealthWell’s chief operations officer. “For many patients, transportation to and from essential treatments, pharmacies and testing facilities represents as much of a challenge as paying for their medications. The underlying issue is that if patients can’t get to their appointments or pick up their prescriptions, they are not able to adhere to their prescribed treatment regimens resulting in serious, potentially life-threatening, consequences. We are hopeful that by offering this service, we will relieve some of the worry and additional financial burden so patients can focus on the care they need and not how they will get there.” HealthWell has partnered with Ride Health to provide transportation services to eligible grant recipients. To learn more, visit HealthWell's General Travel Fund page or contact a HealthWell representative at 800-675-8416. For a full list of HealthWell programs and disease funds, visit HealthWellFoundation.org. 

CGS clarifies coverage for electronics 

WASHINGTON – CGS has shared guidance on billing wheelchair electronics that AAHomecare says is a “step in the right direction of providing clear coverage guidelines for Medicare.” The guidance details coverage scenarios for electronic connections between wheelchair controllers and power wheelchair electronics (E2310, E2311), expandable controllers (E2377) and electronic harnesses (E2313), shedding light on when Medicare considers each to be covered with certain power wheelchair seating systems configurations. “This clarification can be used with Medicare Advantage plans to demonstrate what the coverage criteria is for Medicare fee for service and should be allowed for all Medicare Advantage plans,” AAHomecare stated in a bulletin. CGS’s guidance was posted to the DME MAC Jurisdiction B and C pages. 

Program raises awareness of Medicare fraud 

WASHINGTON – The third annual Medicare Fraud Prevention Week takes place June 3-9. Led by the Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program, the week raises awareness about Medicare fraud and educates individuals and communities about protecting themselves. "Each year, Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion due to fraud, errors, and abuse," said Rebecca Kinney, the director of ACL's Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling, who oversees the national SMP program. "Fraud can happen to anyone, and its impact on individuals and families can be dramatic, so it's vital to make people aware of the latest scams and prevention tips and tools." Common scams may look like: Receiving bills for services or supplies that weren't ordered or were never received, getting orders for tests or services that are unnecessary and being billed for services that were covered and paid for by Medicare. With offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, SMP provides free, unbiased one-on-one assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers. Local team members teach people how to prevent Medicare fraud and assist beneficiaries with billing errors and disputes. 

Breas becomes VGM vendor partner 

NORTH BILLERICA, Mass. – Breas Medical has executed a vendor agreement with VGM & Associates, allowing the company to connect with and support VGM’s members. “We are honored to be able to partner with VGM & Associates,” said Chris Southerland, general manager of Breas Americas, Breas Medical. “This exciting opportunity allows us to share our expertise in ventilation with the VGM membership and continue to provide support to the industry with our innovative life support ventilation units that set the standard in clinical workflow, technology, and patient comfort and mobility.” Breas, founded in 1991 in Sweden, includes the brands Vivo, EveryWare and Z2. It serves more than 40 countries worldwide through a network of highly specialized distributors. 

Orthotics Direct launches e-commerce platform 

BROWNSBURG, Ind. – Orthotics Direct has launched an e-commerce platform, www.orthoticsdirect.com, in the United States. The company specializes in providing affordable, custom medical-grade orthotic devices delivered straight to the doorsteps of customers. By bypassing the traditional channels that it says mark up devices five to10 times their production costs, Orthotics Direct aims to make its devices accessible and affordable to all. "In the same way that prescription medications, dental aligners and optical companies have revolutionized their respective industries, our goal with Orthotics Direct is to give people direct, fast and affordable access to high-quality custom orthotics," said Paul Andrew Smith, president and CEO of Orthotics Direct. "With rising health care costs and a pressured economy, this is an affordable alternative for anyone who suffers from foot pain." Through its user-friendly website, Orthotics Direct offers a selection of orthotics individually tailored for specific activities, such as work, sports and daily wear. Each order includes a foam impression kit, allowing customers to create a personalized foot mold, which serves as the foundation for their custom device. The price: $249. Since its inception, Orthotics Direct has distributed more than 1 million pairs of custom devices.  

NCART: Save the date for legislative day  

WASHINGTON – NCART and U.S. Rehab will host an in-person legislative day in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24. The event will focus on educating members of Congress about the current economic issues challenging NCART members as they focus on providing equipment and services to consumers. It will also focus on H.R. 5371, the “Choices for Increased Mobility Act,” which would allow consumers to pay out-of-pocket for their choice of manual wheelchair. The two organizations say to stay tuned for additional information in the upcoming weeks. 

Advanced Diabetes Supply Group supports race for cure 

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Advanced Diabetes Supply Group sponsored the American Diabetes Association’s annual Tour de Cure, a cycling event aimed at spreading awareness and raising funds toward a cure for the chronic disease. The company, comprised of ADS and US Med, sponsored the 2024 Tour de Cure: Capital Region ride on June 2 at the Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa, N.Y. “We are proud to be sponsors of the 2024 Tour de Cure and show our support in the fight against diabetes,” said Bill Mixon, ADS CEO. “Our mission is to provide unparalleled support, resources and care to empower individuals living with diabetes. This event symbolizes the determination, strength and hope of those we serve, and we are excited to support the American Diabetes Association in funding critical research, diabetes prevention programs and community outreach initiatives that one day may lead to a cure.” The ADA puts every dollar donated as part of the Tour de Cure toward funding critical research, diabetes prevention programs and community outreach initiatives. To learn more about ways to get involved or donate, click here. 

Florida man sentenced as part of $11M DME scheme 

MIAMI – A Florida man has been sentenced to 96 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after admitting his role in a multimillion-dollar DME kickback scheme and pleading guilty to carrying out a COVID-19 fraud scheme and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, Kareem Memon of Coral Springs, Fla., and his conspirators owned and operated marketing call centers and telemedicine companies through which they obtained orders for DME for Medicare beneficiaries without regard to medical necessity. They provided orders in exchange for bribes from DME companies that provided the braces to Medicare beneficiaries.  Memon and his conspirators caused losses to Medicare of more than $11 million. Memon, 34, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute.