2026 Conference Sessions
Please note: Below are the 2026 conference sessions. Sessions are only accessible to attendees with a Conference Pass with the exception of Medicare Updates, which are open to all.
AAHomecare Update
Open to all attendees, no additional registration required. AAHomecare…Open to all attendees, no additional registration required. AAHomecare volunteer leaders are the driving force behind our successful policy and regulatory work. In a new format for the AAHomecare Update, the Chairs of our Regulatory, Payer Relations,…Open to all attendees, no additional registration required. AAHomecare volunteer leaders are the driving force behind our successful policy and regulatory work. In a new format for the AAHomecare Update, the Chairs of our Regulatory, Payer Relations, Diabetes, and Medical Supplies Councils will discuss important wins for HME, issues they are tackling in 2026, and resources and insights to help you meet the challenges ahead.Show MoreClick the title to see all details
AU01: 2026 TPE Update
With the relatively high DMEPOS CERT Error rate and the prevalence of …With the relatively high DMEPOS CERT Error rate and the prevalence of Fraud, Waste and Abuse in our industry, audits will not go away anytime soon. Targeted Probe and Educate is the program pimarily used by the DME MACs for auditing. This session wil…With the relatively high DMEPOS CERT Error rate and the prevalence of Fraud, Waste and Abuse in our industry, audits will not go away anytime soon. Targeted Probe and Educate is the program pimarily used by the DME MACs for auditing. This session will cover the process used by all four DME MACs. Learn what current items are that the DME MACs are auditing and compare the processes that CGS and Noridian use. Hear what each is focusing on and where they are seeing success. Understand what you need to know about ech round and the consequences.Show MoreClick the title to see all details
AU02: Innovate Responsibly: Compliance Strategies that Empower (and Don’t Hinder) DME Growth
Innovation in the DME industry is no longer optional. It is a competi…Innovation in the DME industry is no longer optional. It is a competitive necessity. Yet, whether you are launching a digital ordering platform, integrating with telehealth partners, or redesigning patient onboarding functions, regulatory gray areas…Innovation in the DME industry is no longer optional. It is a competitive necessity. Yet, whether you are launching a digital ordering platform, integrating with telehealth partners, or redesigning patient onboarding functions, regulatory gray areas are unavoidable. How should you approach compliance when innovation can outpace regulation? This session is for innovators—founders, growth leaders, product teams, and forward-thinking executives—who are pushing the DME industry forward. Our panel of legal, compliance, and industry experts will offer practical, real-world guidance on how to strategically build your compliance infrastructure—how to integrate compliance best practices with operational scaling—to foster trust and mitigate potential legal and reputational risks. You’ll walk away with a compliance mindset that aligns with your business goals—so you can innovate boldly and within legal guardrails. Speakers will discuss: Why innovators should care about compliance Common compliance “hot zones”— where innovation meets regulation Structuring partnerships compliantly Scaling for effective compliance — compliance that does not kill growth Enforcement trends and future risk Learning Objectives: After attending this session, participants will be able to: Spot common compliance risk areas for fast-growing or tech-forward DME businesses and learn strategies for mitigation. Appreciate key considerations in designing compliant workflows (e.g., e-prescribing, patient intake, delivery tracking) that meet both user needs and regulatory standards. Evaluate partnership opportunities, particularly those with potential referral sources, through a compliance lens and without killing the deal. Leverage compliance as a value-add in product development, fundraising, and go-to-market strategies, especially when engaging with payers or institutional partners. Design and implement scalable internal controls that support growth-stage operations without stalling progress.Show MoreClick the title to see all details
AU03: Payer, Provider, and Advisor Panel on Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Payment Integrity
In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, collaboration is key to comb…In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, collaboration is key to combating fraud, waste, and abuse in the DMEPOS sector. This dynamic panel brings together payers, providers, and consultants to shift the narrative from “us vs. them” to a unified app…In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, collaboration is key to combating fraud, waste, and abuse in the DMEPOS sector. This dynamic panel brings together payers, providers, and consultants to shift the narrative from “us vs. them” to a unified approach to payment integrity. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of claims processing workflows, audit strategies, common fraud, waste, and abuse patterns, and recent trends. Panelists will share real-world insights and actionable strategies to foster transparency, improve compliance, and build trust across the healthcare continuum. Attendees will: 1. Understand the end-to-end claims processing lifecycle and how it impacts payment integrity as a provider and payer. 2. Be able to describe common fraud, waste, and abuse schemes and learn about current trends in the DMEPOS space and how they are identified. 3. Learn collaborative strategies that providers and payers can use to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse before it occurs. 4. Understand the role of advisors and compliance officers in bridging gaps between stakeholders. 5. Leave with action steps to enhance fraud, waste, and abuse prevention/detection and payment integrity efforts.Show MoreClick the title to see all details
AU04: Uses and Abuses of Extrapolation and AI Software by Payors and CMS
Joint presentation with Wayne van Halem and Stephen Bittinger regardin…Joint presentation with Wayne van Halem and Stephen Bittinger regarding current litigation and compliance regarding the use of statistical sampling and extrapolation and AI software tools for auditing and claims review by payors and CMS. The presenta…Joint presentation with Wayne van Halem and Stephen Bittinger regarding current litigation and compliance regarding the use of statistical sampling and extrapolation and AI software tools for auditing and claims review by payors and CMS. The presentation will cover the law, regulation, and guidance, or lack thereof for AI, that suppliers should know in using AI software tools, self-auditing with statistical sampling and extrapolation, and how to challenge both when used by payors or CMS. The presentation will also cover current litigation against payors for use and abuse of AI and extrapolation and DOJ investigations of use and abuse of AI by providers and suppliers. Show MoreClick the title to see all details
AU05: Provider Enrollment Success…Does Your HME Make the Cut?
Whether you are new to the DMEPOS landscape, are planning to expand op…Whether you are new to the DMEPOS landscape, are planning to expand operations, or are even an existing supplier, keeping your provider enrollment file accurate and current is key to successful operations. An application denial can delay business ope…Whether you are new to the DMEPOS landscape, are planning to expand operations, or are even an existing supplier, keeping your provider enrollment file accurate and current is key to successful operations. An application denial can delay business operations while a PTAN revocation can completely stall cash flow. And, as the next round of competitive bidding approaches, suppliers that do not have proper licensure and reporting in PECOS may find themselves inable to meet program qualifications, leaving them disqualified to submit and participate in the program. The CMS considers provider enrollment a method to control fraud and abuse, which means it is even more critical to understand the information being reported…or not. In this session, resident provider enrollment experts Kelly Grahovac, Denise Leard, Lisa Wells, and Tim Safley will explain how to complete and report changes on your enrollment file to ensure interruptions to operations and cash flow don’t affect your HME business. Getting your business accredited is only step one. Learn how you can prepare for your CMS site inspection and pass with flying colors! Ensure your organization meets competitive bidding program qualifications. Time will also be spent reviewing common denial and revocation reasons.Show MoreClick the title to see all details
AU06: Audit Landscape: What’s New, Now, Next?
This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the current…This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the current audit landscape, including current trends with federal, state, and commercial payers. Additionally, as new leadership at HHS and CMS has settled in to their roles, what insight ha…This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the current audit landscape, including current trends with federal, state, and commercial payers. Additionally, as new leadership at HHS and CMS has settled in to their roles, what insight has been gained on how the agency will approach program integrity activities moving forward, including newly announced focus on fraud, waste, and abuse and the use of technology to aid in weeding it out. The presentation will also provide an understanding of what we might anticipate happening for the remainder of the year and beyond.Show MoreClick the title to see all details
AU07: UPIC Audits – The Who, What, Where, When and Why
Combating, fraud, waste and abuse remains a priority for the governmen…Combating, fraud, waste and abuse remains a priority for the government. The UPIC remains one of the primary program safeguard contractors. Resultantly, UPIC audits are here to stay. Whether you are veteran or new to the DMEPOS industry, supplier sho…Combating, fraud, waste and abuse remains a priority for the government. The UPIC remains one of the primary program safeguard contractors. Resultantly, UPIC audits are here to stay. Whether you are veteran or new to the DMEPOS industry, supplier should have a solid understand of the important role of the UPIC and the authority they have at their disposal. Join Noel Neil and Attorney Michael Silverman for a comprehensive review of the UPIC. Individually and collaboratively, Noel and Michael have assisted suppliers navigate countless UPIC audits. The session will review the UPIC contractors, the role they play and what suppliers should do before, during, and after a UPIC audit. Come learn from their combined decades of experience of handling Medicare audits.Show MoreClick the title to see all details
AU08: Panel Discussion with DMEPOS Industry Accrediting Organization on Anticipated Changes
With the final rule to be released early November, there are many chan…With the final rule to be released early November, there are many changes for the DMEPOS industry. The Accreditation section of the rule includes many changes to the accreditation process that will impact suppliers. This session is intended to discus…With the final rule to be released early November, there are many changes for the DMEPOS industry. The Accreditation section of the rule includes many changes to the accreditation process that will impact suppliers. This session is intended to discuss what those changes are, how they will be implemented and the potential impact to you as a supplier. Learning Objectives: Understand the changes to the accreditation process as spelled out in the final rule. Potential impact to suppliers; # of locations that will require a survey, unannounced surveys and when a new survey may be required. How the accrediting organizations will implement the required changes. What you can do to be prepared with the implementation of the changes.Show MoreClick the title to see all details
BO01: Managing by the Numbers: Uniting Financial and AR Management for Healthcare Success
Ideal Audience: Professionals in durable medical equipment (DME) compa…Ideal Audience: Professionals in durable medical equipment (DME) companies, including owners, revenue cycle managers, financial officers, and senior leaders. Course Description: This presentation will explore essential strategies and metrics for mana…Ideal Audience: Professionals in durable medical equipment (DME) companies, including owners, revenue cycle managers, financial officers, and senior leaders. Course Description: This presentation will explore essential strategies and metrics for managing both the financial health and revenue cycle performance of durable medical equipment (DME) companies. Attendees will gain insights into how accounts receivable (AR) strategies directly influence financial outcomes and learn actionable methods to optimize this critical relationship. The session will highlight key metrics for monitoring financial and RCM performance, emphasizing their role in driving organizational success. By bridging the gap between financial management and AR operations, participants will understand why effective leadership in the DME industry requires a comprehensive grasp of both. Learning Objectives 1.Evaluate AR Strategies and Financial Impact: Attendees will learn to assess how various accounts receivable strategies impact financial health and apply best practices to strengthen this relationship within their DME operations. 2. Analyze Financial and RCM Metrics:Participants will be able to identify and interpret key financial and revenue cycle metrics, such as denial rate, days sales outstanding (DSO), and operating expense ratio, to evaluate organizational performance effectively. 3. Integrate Financial and RCM Leadership Skills. Learners will develop a comprehensive understanding of financial management and revenue cycle operations, equipping them to lead more effectively by aligning these two critical functions for organizational success. Show MoreClick the title to see all details
BO02: Maximizing Value from Distributor and Manufacturing Partnerships
This session is designed as an active, participatory discussion focuse…This session is designed as an active, participatory discussion focused on aligning distributor and manufacturer programs with the unique needs of your business. Participants will gain valuable insights into how to reduce the cost to serve while simu…This session is designed as an active, participatory discussion focused on aligning distributor and manufacturer programs with the unique needs of your business. Participants will gain valuable insights into how to reduce the cost to serve while simultaneously increasing revenue and profitability by strategically structuring relationships with key partners. Topics will include: Conducting effective, actionable business reviews. Establishing meaningful Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and accountability measures beyond just low pricing. Accessing and leveraging shared marketing funds and co-branded programs. Utilizing best-in-class sales training and development resources. Sharing and applying relevant industry benchmarks. Evolving toward a proactive, consultative business partnership model.Show MoreClick the title to see all details
BO03: Staffing for Today – Navigating Shortages, Building Solutions
The HME industry faces unprecedented staffing challenges that threaten…The HME industry faces unprecedented staffing challenges that threaten access to care. According to Advisory Board, “More than 6.5 million healthcare professionals will permanently leave their positions by 2026, while only 1.9 million will step in to…The HME industry faces unprecedented staffing challenges that threaten access to care. According to Advisory Board, “More than 6.5 million healthcare professionals will permanently leave their positions by 2026, while only 1.9 million will step in to replace them.” As more and more baby boomers and employees retire and turnover rates grow higher, solutions to the shortages have to be addressed. In this session, we will explore solutions to the staffing constraints as well as how to use and leverage automation and technology for purposes of sustaining staff and growing profits. Key topics include creating positive workplace cultures to reduce turnover, technology for by rote functions, and outsourcing for potential workarounds. Practical and interactive, Join Miriam for a discussion on concrete solutions to today's most pressing staffing challenges.Show MoreClick the title to see all details
