WASHINGTON—A Kansas man pleaded guilty to operating an internet-based platform that generated false doctors’ orders to defraud Medicare and other federal health care benefit programs of more than $1 billion.
WALNUT CREEK, California—Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care services, a franchisor with over 115 franchise partners with more than 300 territories nationwide, has grown in recent years. Now, local residents Dave and Gina Schneider have opened a new location to serve Diablo Valley residents.
TROY, Michigan—Best Life Brands, LLC (Best Life Brands), a franchised organization with a portfolio of five brands dedicated to senior care, achieved significant franchise development milestones in 2024. The company added 166 new franchises, bringing its total to 775 locations—an all-time high in a calendar year—with 650 of those locations currently open and operating.
BALL GROUND, Georgia—CAIRE Inc., a manufacturer of oxygen equipment, announced the addition of Accurate Biomed Services to its CAIRE Authorized Service Network in the United States.
CHICAGO—The Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP) released its latest report on health care acquisitions, providing an in-depth analysis of private equity dealmaking in the health care sector throughout 2024. Titled "Private Equity Healthcare Deals: 2024 in Review" the report delves into key trends shaping the industry and raises important considerations for policymakers, regulators and patients.
DURYEA, Pennsylvania—Pride Mobility announced the release of the Go Go Elite Traveller 2 Platinum edition, a travel scooter with exclusive features and benefits to meet a wide variety of mobility needs.
"With the Go Go Elite Traveller 2 Platinum edition, we’re offering your customers a mobility solution that will help them live their best, both at home and wherever life takes them," Pride said.
The Go Go Elite Traveller 2 Platinum edition features include:
ELY—LeadingAge announced that Adam Masloski, executive director at Boundary Waters Care Center (BWCC), has been presented with LeadingAge Minnesota’s Outstanding Leadership award. Each year, the award recognizes an individual whose leadership is demonstrated through vision, servanthood, mentoring others and a commitment to older adults.
NEW YORK—CareConnect, a provider of homecare artificial intelligence (AI), software and services, and
WASHINGTON—ATA Action, the advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association, submitted concerns and detailed recommendations on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s proposed rule to establish special registrations for the remote prescribing of controlled substances without requiring an in-person visit.
DALLAS—Kim Ng used to race motorcycles. Now, he’s blazing a new trail in mobility devices.
Skokie, Illinois—Synapse Health, a provider that focuses on advancing the durable medical equipment (DME) industry toward value-based care, announced the appointment of Shaw Rietkerk as chief operating officer. In this role, Rietkerk will lead Synapse’s core operations and revenue cycle management.
Waterloo, Iowa—VGM Group announced the promotion of Barry Thwaits to executive vice president of customer success with VGM & Associates. In this newly created role, Thwaits will continue developing a long-term vision for coordinated communication and strategies to help VGM’s customers scale their business. This includes aligning services across sales teams to create a seamless customer experience for home medical equipment (HME) providers.
Carlsbad, California—Breg, Inc., a provider of orthopedic bracing and support solutions, announced that Steve Ingel has been promoted to President, effective immediately.
DALLAS—Questions about how moves by the Trump administration could impact the homecare industry dominated at Medtrade—especially potential cuts to Medicaid and tariffs—but answers were largely absent.
WASHINGTON—Hospice leaders praised the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) decision to cease the implementation of the Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP). CMS announced on February 14 on its website that implementation of the program had ceased for calendar year 2025 “so that CMS may further evaluate the program.” No additional details were provided.
New York—Alliance Homecare, a New York provider of high-touch private duty home health care, and its nursing division, TrustHouse, are expanding into Bergen County, New Jersey. With nearly two decades of experience setting the standard for premium in-home care, Alliance Homecare will now bring its skilled nursing and home health aide services to families seeking care in the Garden State.
Missouri—In a major advancement in fire safety, Missouri became the first state to require that durable medical equipment companies (DMEs) supply Medicaid oxygen patients with thermal fuses such as the Firesafe cannula valve. The requirement was championed by the Springfield Fire Department and Battlefield Fire Protection District, in partnership with the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Missouri House of Representatives.
Las Vegas—The International Franchise Association (IFA) named Jim Carteris as a 2024 Franchisee of the Year. Carteris was honored at the 65th IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator. The IFA Franchisee of the Year awards are given to the top franchisees from IFA member brands across industries from around the country and the world.
Chicago—AVIA announced that veteran health care executive Clay Holderman will join the organization as its chief executive officer.
St. Louis, Missouri—Responsive Respiratory Inc. (RRI), a provider of high-pressure oxygen products, announced that Todd Derickson has joined its executive team as director of sales. Derickson, an accomplished sales leader with more than three decades of experience driving high-growth sales in the home medical equipment market, joins the RRI team following the recent retirement of Michael Harrington.
