WASHINGTON—The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted an audit of 25 selected home health agencies (HHA) to determine if they expended taxpayer funds in accordance with the terms, conditions and requirements for Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments. As a result of the review, the selected HHAs were found compliant with PRF guidelines.

EL PASO, Texas—Edelmira Marquez, owner of durable medical equipment company Marquez Medical Supply in El Paso, Texas, was sentenced to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. In addition to her imprisonment, Marquez has been fined $20,000 and ordered to pay more than $1.7 million in restitution to Medicaid. 

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia & PARSIPPANY, New Jersey—The National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) and Melinta Therapeutics LLC, a biopharmaceutical company that provides therapy for individuals with acute and life-threatening illnesses, announced that Melinta has been added to NHIA’s Future of Infusion Advisory Council (FIAC).

GOTHENBURG, Sweden—Mölnlycke, a medical technology and device company, announced it has received the 2024 Capgemini Swedish Sustainability Technology Award for its “ProcedurePak” surgical procedure equipment trays.

DENVER—DispatchHealth, an in-home medical care provider, announced it has received the Accreditation Commission for Health Care's (ACHC) new in-home hospital care accreditation for its care services. The company said this recognition aims to further the standard of hospital-alternative homecare that it provides to patients.

PLYMOUTH, Minnesota—Nonin Medical, a manufacturer of wearable and noninvasive medical monitoring devices, announced its first FDA-cleared over-the-counter (OTC) fingertip pulse oximeter, the “TruO2.” The device intends to provide accurate readings on adults of all skin tones, empower patients and health care professionals with accurate measurements and allow for better informed health care decisions.

MCKINNEY, Texas—New Day Healthcare, a home-based services provider, announced the acquisition of hospice operations in Missouri and Texas from Intrepid USA, a full-service home health agency. The company said these hospice operations aim to further its existing service line offerings and operations.

WINTER HAVEN, Florida—Detectives from the Polk County, Florida, sheriff’s office arrested Carrie Hutchinson of Winter Haven, a private certified nursing assistant who practices as a home health care nurse, and charged her with grand theft of $100,000 or more, exploitation of the elderly and criminal use of personal ID. The investigation of Hutchinson revealed that she stole $141,594 from the 77-year-old blind man who employed her.

The HomeCare (HC) team reached out to Joey Graham, the newly-elected CEO of Prochant, to discuss his plans and motivations for the company's growth. Prochant, a revenue cycle management (RCM) solutions company focusing on home medical equipment (HME), home infusion and home health providers, appointed Graham as CEO in September. 

DURYEA, Pennsylvania—Pride Mobility, a designer and manufacturer of mobility products, announced the launch of two new mobility devices: the “Jazzy Ultra Light” power wheelchair and the “Go Go Super Portable” scooter. Additionally, the company released its “Charge360” technology, a battery charger that magnetically connects to the Go Go Super Portable.