News
In brief: Quipt sees ‘pivotal year,’ Optum Rx aligns payments, KFF analyzes potential Medicaid cuts
March 26, 2025HME News Staff
CINCINNATI – Quipt Home Medical plans to return to historical levels of organic growth, optimize capital allocation and build a scalable health care ecosystem through M&A as part of a new strategic plan.
The plan follows the company’s annual general meeting of shareholders on March 17.
“2025 marks a pivotal year for Quipt as we double down on our commitment to augment organic growth and prioritize a disciplined capital allocation strategy while maintaining strong...
WFH sticks – for now
March 21, 2025Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – Five years on from the COVID-19 pandemic and despite a broad return-to-office movement, work from home is a policy that still holds up for most respondents to a recent HME Newspoll.
Eighty-one percent of respondents reported they have employees who work from home and nearly 70% say they’re not reconsidering their policy.
“WFH was a virtually seamless transition during COVID,” wrote Erin Dolan of Med-Essentials in New Hartford, Conn. “My...
In brief: AAH asks for exemption, CPAP therapy saves lives, Cigna closes MA sale
March 21, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has asked the Trump Administration to exclude home medical equipment and supplies from current and proposed tariffs.
The administration in early March delayed proposed 25% tariff increases on products covered under the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) until April. These potential new tariffs would join 20% tariffs on products from China that are already in effect.
Over the last two months, AAHomecare has engaged Capitol Hill on the need to exempt...
AAHomecare urges tariff exemptions
March 20, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare has asked the Trump Administration to exclude home medical equipment and supplies from current and proposed tariffs.
The administration in early March delayed proposed 25% tariff increases on products covered under the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) until April. These potential new tariffs would join 20% tariffs on products from China that are already in effect.
Over the last two months, AAHomecare has engaged Capitol Hill...
OIG: MACs miss mark on cost reports
March 20, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Medicare Administrative Contractors did not consistently meet Medicare cost report oversight requirements, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General.
For federal fiscal years 2019–2021, each of the 12 MAC jurisdictions failed to comply with the contract requirements for audit and reimbursement desk review and audit quality (AR-4) for at least one of the three years.
CMS identified 287 total audit issues among all MAC jurisdictions during...
Dr. Oz would seek to modernize MA
March 19, 2025Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – While he’s on record as a big supporter of Medicare Advantage, Dr. Mehmet Oz told the Senate Finance Committee during a confirmation hearing on Friday that, if confirmed as CMS administrator, he would reform prior authorizations, which he called “a pox on the system.”
Oz told the committee that he would push for reducing the some 15,000 procedures and medications that require prior auths to 1,000. He also said he would push for speeding up approvals.
“If...
In brief: Telehealth extended, home infusion bill re-introduced, accessories coding revised
March 19, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Congress has passed a continuing resolution that includes an extension of telehealth flexibilities and reimbursement policies through Sept. 30, 2025, VGM has reported.
“These measures represent a commitment to maintaining the momentum of telehealth adoption, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic,” VGM stated in a bulletin. “By extending these provisions, Congress aims to bridge the gap in health care access for diverse populations, from rural communities...
Telehealth flexibilities extended
March 18, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Congress has passed a continuing resolution that includes an extension of telehealth flexibilities and reimbursement policies through Sept. 30, 2025, VGM has reported.
“These measures represent a commitment to maintaining the momentum of telehealth adoption, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic,” VGM stated in a bulletin. “By extending these provisions, Congress aims to bridge the gap in health care access for diverse populations, from rural communities...
In brief: Protect indie pharmacies, comment on NIV decision, fill sleep education gaps
March 14, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – A group of senators has introduced legislation to limit what they say are abusive pricing practices by pharmacy benefit managers.
The “Protecting Pharmacies in Medicaid Act,” introduced by Sens. Peter Welch, D-Vt., Roger Marshal, R-Kan., Mark Warner, D-Va., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., cracks down on what they call “spread pricing” - charging Medicaid more than PBMs charge pharmacies for a drug, driving up costs for Medicaid and short-changing pharmacies....
In brief: Resmed evolves brand, Walgreens sells to PE, pharmacy hosts FTC chair
March 12, 2025HME News Staff
SAN DIEGO – Resmed has launched a rebrand to unify its portfolio and reflect its increasing direct-to-consumer engagement.
As part of the rebrand, Resmed plans to consolidate its brands, products and services under a single Resmed brand over the next couple of years, creating a more streamlined view for both consumers and health care providers.
“We are at a pivotal moment in health – sleep and breathing health are gaining the attention once reserved for diet and...