WASHINGTON—Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a fix that will impact suppliers who provide disposable medical supplies to Medicare beneficiaries, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) wrote in a recent newsletter to members. This fix aims to lay the groundwork for ongoing engagement with CMS in order to address denials triggered by unknown Part A episodes. 

CARLSBAD, California—Advanced Diabetes Supply (ADS) and US MED, two national distributors of specialized diabetes devices, have partnered with Omnis Health—a diabetes testing supplies provider—to bring diabetes testing supplies to the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) in Asheville, North Carolina.

TROY, Michigan—Best Life Brands LLC, a franchised organization with a portfolio of senior care brands, announced it has experienced unprecedented growth and expansion in its third quarter (Q3) of 2024. The company said it has seen standout achievements in monthly, quarterly and yearly franchise awards and is on track to set an all-time high by January 2025. 

SUNNYVALE, California & ASHEVILLE, North Carolina—HealthTap, a virtual health care provider, announced its launch into the durable medical equipment (DME) market with its first partner, Aeroflow Health, a provider of home medical equipment and supplies. By joining the DME market, HealthTap aims to help more patients access primary care and DME services. 

WASHINGTON—The Department of Justice (DOJ), together with the Attorneys General of Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey and New York, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit  to block UnitedHealth Group Incorporated from completing its proposed $3.3 billion acquisition of rival home health and hospice services provider Amedisys Inc, saying it would eliminate competition between the two companies. 

WASHINGTON—The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reviewed Medicare Advantage (MA) companies’ use of health risk assessments (HRAs), which often increase payments to MA plans by billions of dollars. As a result of the review, OIG offered suggestions to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

DALLAS—Medtrade, a home medical equipment (HME) trade event in North America, announced that its “SmartSaver” registration rates for the Medtrade 2025 Expo and Conference are now in effect. The company said that time is limited for these registration rates, as they will only be in effect through Saturday, Nov. 16. The registration category aims to help those who wish to attend the trade show.

The SmartSaver rates offer:

NEWARK, New Jersey—United States Attorney Vikas Khanna announced that two Florida men, a father and son duo, were arraigned on charges relating to their roles in a multimillion-dollar durable medical equipment (DME) and prescription drug health care fraud and kickback scheme.

WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Patrick Newbold has been appointed chief information officer (CIO), as reported by Federal News Network. After the addition of Newbold, the U.S.

MOUNT LAUREL, New Jersey—Care Options for Kids (COFK), a pediatric specialists provider, announced that Elias Lee has been named VP of talent acquisition. Lee brings health care, homecare, senior living and talent acquisition experience to the new role, in which he aims to expand upon the company’s leadership efforts.