In brief: ResMed delays, AAH & CRT surveys, WellSky investment

SAN DIEGO – ResMed initiated an over-the-air update to its AirSense 11 devices on Aug. 23 to reduce the delay of patient therapy data into myAir and AirView and, ultimately, resolve transmission issues, according to an update posted to its website. 

The company expects data to be available nightly in myAir and AirView within two weeks. 

“While some patients may already be able to view their most recent therapy data in myAir, the process of restoring regular data updates is still ongoing, and some patients may still experience delays until the issue is fully resolved within two weeks,” ResMed state. 

In late July, ResMed rolled out an over-the-air update to AirSense 11 devices to introduce two new features and improve communications capabilities. The update, however, had the unintended impact of significantly increasing the amount of data being sent between devices and the AirView cloud service, resulting in backlogged and delayed data in AirView and myAir. 

ResMed answers a number of questions about the delay here. 

AAHomecare seeks input on costs 

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare is launching a nationwide survey to gather information on the rising costs of products, shipping and labor for those providing home oxygen equipment, CPAP devices and hospital beds.  

Insights from the survey will be used on Capitol Hill to build support for continuing Medicare’s 75/25 blended reimbursement rates in non-bid, non-rural areas and to secure a 90/10 blended rate for former CBAs.  

“The HME community has been operating under constrained reimbursement pressures that were exacerbated by the pandemic and continue past the PHE,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO. “This survey provides critical data to quantify the operational pressures of HME suppliers and will aid our efforts to secure meaningful relief. We’ve already experienced a massive 36% industry reduction over the last 10 years, and immediate reimbursement action is needed to ensure that HME companies have the financial solvency to continue meeting their communities’ needs.” 

AAHomecare recently completed nationwide surveys on cost increases for ostomy, urological, wound care and enteral nutrition providers and has created infographics from the results that can be shared with payers and policymakers.  

This latest survey closes Sept. 8 and is available here.  

NCART, U.S. Rehab seek insight on stability of CRT businesses 

WATERLOO, Iowa – NCART and U.S. Rehab have joined forces to launch a comprehensive survey to gather real-time data on the financial stability of businesses within the complex rehab industry. 

The convergence of factors such as inflation, wage increases, supply chain disruptions, and elevated shipping costs has led to a challenging environment that demands careful analysis and collective action, they say.  

“Complex rehab technologies are experiencing pressure from many directions,” said Greg Packer, president of U.S. Rehab, a division of VGM, and NCART. “With that said, NCART and the industry are asking for your help to update the industry data. Please take the time to answer the survey that was sent out from an independent marketing firm. This data will help our key organizations who speak weekly to Washington and the key agencies to protect access for the consumer while helping small business succeed in a challenging environment.” 

Data collected from the survey, which is being conducted by the University of Northern Iowa’s Strategic Marketing Services program, will provide a clearer understanding of the challenges faced by the industry. Armed with this information, the industry can work collaboratively with policymakers and lawmakers to advocate for the necessary support and strategies needed to navigate through these turbulent times, NCART and U.S. Rehab say.  

Go here to take the survey.

WellSky joins coalition to move care to home 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – WellSky has joined the Moving Health Home coalition, a group of stakeholders working to advance federal and state policy to enable the home to be a clinical site of care. 

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for care in the home has been steadily increasing and enabled through greater use of telehealth services, remote patient monitoring, patient engagement tools, and care coordination technology, the coalition says. 

“The pandemic clearly demonstrated that the home is a viable site of care, and that the future of health care is at home,” said Krista Drobac, founder of MHH. “Our coalition strongly believes that by enacting policies that support providers and reduce barriers, we can make home-based care accessible to all patients who prefer it.” 

Since its founding in March 2021, MHH has successfully lobbied Congress to pass the two-year hospital-at-home waiver extension, introduced legislation to extend the acute hospital care-at-home waiver, and supported the fight against cuts to home health services through education, events and other advocacy efforts. 

“At WellSky, our focus is supporting providers caring for patients in the home with purpose-built technology, analytics, and tech-enabled services that help them deliver better, more efficient care,” said WellSky CEO Bill Miller. “When we come together to advance care delivery in the home, we can improve outcomes, lower costs, and elevate the patient and family experience. That’s why we’re excited to work closely with the members of Moving Health Home to shape the future of healthcare policy.” 

Founding members of MHH include Amazon Care, Landmark Health, Signify Health, Dispatch Health, Elara Caring, Intermountain Healthcare, Home Instead and Ascension. 

WellSky expands investment in long-term care 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – WellSky has acquired Experience Care, which offers a suite of software solutions for post-acute and long-term care providers. Experience Care has a proven track record with its electronic health record platform NetSolutions, serving 150 long-term care clients with 850 facilities. “This is a transformational time for post-acute care providers,” said Bill Miller, WellSky CEO. “Workforce shortages, regulatory shifts and changes to reimbursement can have a profound impact on care delivery. But it’s also a time of great potential in our industry, and that’s why it’s important providers have a single, trusted technology partner with solutions that offer full visibility into the patient journey. With the addition of Experience Care, WellSky becomes a well-resourced and scalable intelligent care management partner for long-term care providers.” Together, the companies will further invest in care coordination, analytics and interoperability to improve care and deliver advanced revenue cycle management solutions to strengthen reimbursement and overall financial performance. Over time, Experience Care clients will also be able to connect to WellSky’s network of more than 2,000 hospitals and 130,000 providers to improve collaboration and increase visibility to patients across care settings. Gina Barrett, COO of Experience Care, will lead the Experience Care team. 

3M names CEO of Health Care Business Group, prepares to spin it off 

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Brian Hanson will join 3M on Sept. 1 as CEO of the Health Care Business Group. Hanson comes to 3M from Zimmer Biomet, a global med-tech innovator with annual revenue of more than $7 billion, where he was president and CEO since 2017 and chairman since 2021. “We are pleased to have Bryan join us to successfully complete the spin off of our Health Care business and build a leading independent medical technology innovation company," said Mike Roman, 3M chairman and CEO. "His industry expertise, ability to drive growth, and track record of building a strong culture and teams will make an immediate impact." Carrie Cox, a health care industry veteran, will serve as the chairman of the board of directors of the independent Health Care company. Cox currently serves as the chairman of the board of Organon, and on the boards of directors of Cardinal Health, Selecta BioSciences, and Texas Instruments.  

Florida man pleads guilty to fraud 

TRENTON, N.J. – Patrick Fitchner of Orlando, Fla., pleaded guilty Aug. 22 to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud in Trenton federal court. Fitchner and his conspirators solicited and received kickbacks and bribes in exchange for providing DME companies with completed doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary DME, such as orthotic braces, using telemedicine companies to obtain the prescriptions. The DME orders were subsequently fraudulently billed to Medicare and other health care benefit programs. Fitchner and his conspirators were paid approximately $2.1 million in kickbacks for these DME orders and caused losses to Medicare and other health care benefit programs of at least $3.6 million. The charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2024. 

Nymbl to be first time Medtrade exhibitor 

DALLAS – Nymbl Systems recently signed up as an exhibitor for Medtrade, which takes place March 26-28, 2024, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. “We are entering the HME market, and as we learn more about the industry and cater our software to the businesses involved, we would love to partner with other companies and customers,” said Chad Feinberg, chief revenue officer. “We are excited to exhibit at Medtrade to continue creating a presence for Nymbl in the HME industry.” Nymbl Systems is a 100% cloud-based and HIPAA compliant software that can be accessed on any device, from anywhere, at any time. The company says the easy-to-use interface allows providers to spend more time on what matters most—patients. 

TailorMed, TwelveStone expand access 

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – TailorMed, a technology company that empowers providers and pharmacies to proactively flag patients in need, is partnering with TwelveStone Health Partners to improve access to critical therapies for patients who could not otherwise afford them. TailorMed’s technology matches patients with relevant funding opportunities, drawing on more than 6,000 resources ranging from drug manufacturer co-pay assistance to foundation grants. “This partnership enhances our commitment to expanding patient access and addressing affordability to ensure that those who need them most can receive innovative medications in a warm, caring, patient-centric care environment,” said Shane Reeves, CEO, TwelveStone Health Partners. “TailorMed’s technology provides real value to our patients who deserve a higher level of care and support.” TwelveStone provides infusion therapy for chronic, complex and rare diseases in “spa-like” infusion suites. 

Telesair receives CE mark for oxygen system 

IRVINE, Calif. – Telesair has received CE (Conformité Européenne) Marks for its Bonhawa High Flow Oxygen Therapy (HFOT) system for use in the treatment of patients with respiratory insufficiency. The light and compact device features an extended flow range up to 80 L/pm, a simple disinfection process and an easy-to-use touchscreen, allowing greater therapeutic range, efficient disinfection, the potential to reduce the workload of caregivers, and the ability to visualize patient settings and data from outside the room. “Having our Bonhawa system approved for Europe is a major step in the evolution of Telesair as a company and opens the many markets which accept CE Mark,” said Bryan Liu, CEO. “We were able to accomplish this goal in record time – less than 10 months – thanks to our combination of a great team of experienced professionals, genuinely innovative respiratory technology products, attention to detail, high-level process control, and exceptional value.” Telesair's CE Mark and introduction of its lightweight oxygen therapy system to Europe further expands the company's existing market access that includes Latin America and Southeast Asia.   

ProSomnus says OAT therapy as effective as CPAP 

PLEASANTON, Calif. – Precision oral appliance therapy was effective among 90% of moderate and 85% of severe OSA patients during a recent study, says ProSomus, maker of the ProSomnus EVO. The company’s First Line Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment (FLOSAT) study looked at 136 patients to compare the effectiveness of precision OAT vs. CPAP therapy. Key findings to date include: Precision oral appliance therapy is effective, and non-inferior to CPAP, as a first-line treatment for moderate to severe OSA; and precision oral appliance therapy was preferred by patients, with 98% continuing therapy at three months versus 22% discontinuing CPAP therapy over the same period of time. “The FLOSAT study was designed to evaluate whether precision oral appliance therapy could be utilized for the very practical and emergent issue of patients with OSA who could not access CPAP due to the recall,” said Dr. Olivier Vanderveken, Antwerp University Hospital. “The preliminary results of this study indicate that precision oral appliances are an effective and patient preferred treatment option, which is particularly relevant for the growing number of sleep clinicians practicing the P4 approach to making medicine more predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory.”