NEW YORK and CAESAREA, Israel (March 26, 2018)—Digital health company DarioHealth Corp. received FDA pre-market notification (510(k)) clearance for the company’s Lightning-enabled (3.5mm headphone jack) version of the Dario Blood Glucose Monitoring System. This news opens a significant U.S. market opportunity and enables the use of the Dario app on iPhone 7, 8 and X smart mobile devices (SMD).

BALL GROUND, Ga. (March 26, 2018)—CAIRE Inc. was accredited by Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for the services of delivering health care oxygen therapy products and services to consumers.

What Happens When an Algorithm Cuts Your Health Care
A computer program in Arkansas cut care to Medicaid recipients. (Colin Lecher/The Verge)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2018)—The Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) today released a new report that highlights the urgent need for policymakers to reform Medicare’s outdated payment methodology. The report outlines how the current payment system, called the competitive bidding program (CBP), restricts patients’ access to the oxygen and medical equipment they need, despite the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) best intentions.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (March 22, 2018)—3B Medical has closed on a deal for the exclusive global licensing and acquisition of VBOX, a Minnesota-based research and development company. Through a decade of research and development, VBOX has amassed a number of patents for innovation in the portable oxygen product space, a billion-dollar industry.

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2018)—Congressional leaders have concluded negotiations on omnibus legislation, and have just released bill text that Congress will vote on this week. While the legislative text does not include provisions from HR 4229, Capitol Hill sources have shared report language accompanying the bill that reaffirms Congressional interest in providing relief for rural suppliers, as noted on page 49 of the report section related to HHS:

LAS VEGAS (March 21, 2018)—The intuitive Medtrade Spring app (sponsored by Philips [Booth # 613 at Medtrade Spring]) is back. Download the Medtrade Spring 2018 app and plan your time at the expo and conference.

Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 21, 2018)—Omnibus spending legislation has still not been released as Wednesday in Washington goes to press. Congressional and media sources currently predict text will be finalized and available this evening, but the timing for release has been a moving target all day.