diff --git a/Projects/DMEPOS/consortium-targets-fl-v1.md b/Projects/DMEPOS/consortium-targets-fl-v1.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a29a0b1 --- /dev/null +++ b/Projects/DMEPOS/consortium-targets-fl-v1.md @@ -0,0 +1,187 @@ +# Florida DMEPOS Consortium & Association Targets — v1 + +**STTIL Solutions LLC | Signal CGM | Research Date: April 2026** +**Purpose:** Identify Florida-based DMEPOS networks, associations, and buying +groups as outreach targets for the Signal CGM asset package sale and/or +future subscriber acquisition. + +--- + +## Research Notes + +All findings below are sourced from public web searches conducted April 2026. +Direct membership directories, contact lists, and conference registration +links require follow-up with each organization. Where specific 2026 data was +unavailable, that gap is flagged explicitly. + +--- + +## 1. Florida Alliance of Home Care Services (FAHCS) + +**Status: Primary Florida-specific target — confirmed active** + +FAHCS is the Florida state-level trade association for HME/DMEPOS suppliers. +It functions as the Florida counterpart to AAHomecare nationally, and AAHomecare +actively coordinates with FAHCS on state-level legislative and regulatory work. + +- **Website:** [fahcs.us](https://www.fahcs.us/) +- **Focus:** Statewide advocacy, member benefits, annual conference +- **Membership profile:** Florida HME/DMEPOS providers — direct Signal CGM buyer + profile match +- **Annual conference:** FAHCS hosts an annual statewide meeting with 150+ + attendees (suppliers, vendors, sponsors). 2026 conference dates and location + not confirmed in search — check [fahcs.us/Events](https://fahcs.us/Events) + directly for current listing. +- **Relevance:** Exhibit sponsor or speaker slot at the FAHCS annual conference + is the highest-leverage single Florida touchpoint. Members are exactly the + supplier profile Signal CGM targets. +- **Action:** Contact FAHCS directly for 2026 conference sponsorship/exhibit + opportunities and membership directory access. + +> **Note on FAMES:** Search for "Florida Association of Medical Equipment +> Suppliers (FAMES)" did not surface an active, distinct organization by that +> name. FAHCS appears to be the operative Florida state HME/DMEPOS association. +> FAMES may be a former name, a subsidiary body, or defunct. Verify before +> referencing FAMES in outreach materials. + +--- + +## 2. AAHomecare — Florida Engagement + +**Status: National body with active Florida legislative presence** + +AAHomecare is the national trade association for home medical equipment +suppliers. It does not operate a formal state chapter structure, but it works +directly with FAHCS on Florida-specific legislation and regulatory advocacy. + +- **Website:** [aahomecare.org](https://aahomecare.org/) +- **Florida legislative work:** AAHomecare + FAHCS are jointly advancing + legislation for Medicaid rate stability and anti-self-referral protections + for Florida DMEPOS providers. +- **CB 2026 activity:** AAHomecare is the lead national voice on Competitive + Bidding Round 2028. Bidding window is scheduled to open late Summer/Fall 2026. + CGMs, insulin pumps, ostomy/urological supplies, and OTS braces are included. + This is a direct urgency driver for the Signal CGM pitch. +- **Relevance:** AAHomecare does not sell to members directly, but it is a + credibility signal and a source of referrals. Consider positioning Signal CGM + as a tool that helps suppliers navigate CB pressure. +- **Action:** Monitor [aahomecare.org/Competitive-Bidding](https://aahomecare.org/Competitive-Bidding) + for CB timeline updates. Use CB urgency in outreach copy. + +--- + +## 3. VGM & Associates + +**Status: National MSO — no Florida-specific affiliate structure found** + +VGM & Associates is the largest Member Service Organization (MSO) for +post-acute/HME providers nationally, covering DME, respiratory, sleep, wound +care, complex rehab, orthotics and prosthetics. + +- **Website:** [vgm.com](https://www.vgm.com/) +- **Florida affiliates:** No Florida-specific chapter or regional affiliate + structure was identified in search results. VGM operates nationally and + Florida-based DME suppliers may be VGM members without a state-level node. +- **State associations directory:** VGM maintains a state HME associations + resource at [vgm.com/services/government-relations/state-associations/](https://www.vgm.com/services/government-relations/state-associations/) + — FAHCS is the Florida listing. +- **2026 regulatory updates published by VGM:** + - CMS 2026 CPI-U fee schedule adjustments for DMEPOS + - Updated accreditation rules (annual surveys required effective Jan 1, 2026; + 36-month majority ownership change restrictions) +- **Relevance:** VGM members are a qualified buyer profile. Approach via VGM's + vendor partner program or present at VGM-affiliated regional events. +- **Action:** Contact VGM vendor partner team ([vgm.com/about/vendor-partner-resources/](https://www.vgm.com/about/vendor-partner-resources/)) + to explore co-marketing or listing as a preferred technology partner. + +--- + +## 4. Northeast Florida / Jacksonville — Buying Groups and Networks + +**Status: No active buying group identified — individual supplier market** + +No formal DMEPOS buying group or consortium specific to Northeast Florida or +the Jacksonville metro was identified in search results. + +**Jacksonville-area DMEPOS context:** +- The CMS DMEPOS competitive bidding administrative office (C-HIT / Chags Health + Information Technology) has a Jacksonville processing address + (P.O. Box 45266, Jacksonville, FL 32232) — this is a CMS contractor node, + not a supplier organization. +- NPI directory lists active DME/HME suppliers in Jacksonville; no network + or buying group association is apparent from public data. +- JC Home Medical ([jchomemedical.com](https://jchomemedical.com/)) is an active + Jacksonville-area HME supplier — representative of the independent supplier + profile that is Signal CGM's core buyer. + +**Buying group landscape generally:** +National buying groups active in DMEPOS include VGM (above), Brightree user +communities, and regional HME coalitions. No Northeast Florida-specific group +was surfaced. The Jacksonville market appears to be served by independent +suppliers and national group affiliates without a distinct regional consortium. + +**Action:** Direct outreach to independent Jacksonville-area suppliers via NPI +directory or FAHCS membership list is the recommended approach for this geography. + +--- + +## 5. Conferences & Events — 2026 / 2027 + +### Medtrade 2026 — **Already occurred** +- **Date:** March 2–4, 2026 (conference); March 3–4 (expo) +- **Location:** Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, AZ +- **Notes:** Largest national HME/DMEPOS trade show. ~2,000 attendees, ~200 + exhibitors. Post-show attendee lists and HME News coverage available. + [medtrade.com](https://medtrade.com/) + +### Medtrade 2027 — **Next national opportunity** +- **Date:** March 23–25, 2027 +- **Location:** Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX +- **Notes:** Plan exhibitor presence or sponsorship for 2027 if Signal CGM + asset has not sold by Q4 2026. Registration likely opens Q3–Q4 2026. + +### FAHCS Annual Meeting 2026 — **Highest-priority Florida event** +- **Date/Location:** Not confirmed in search — check [fahcs.us/Events](https://fahcs.us/Events) +- **Format:** Statewide conference, 150+ attendees, exhibit space available + to non-members as sponsors +- **Notes:** This is the single best Florida-specific venue for Signal CGM + exposure to the exact buyer profile. Prior year (2024) meeting dates were + set mid-year. Expect 2026 meeting to follow similar calendar. + +### Florida Healthcare Association (FHCA) Annual Conference 2026 +- **Date:** July 26–30, 2026 +- **Location:** Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, FL +- **Notes:** Primarily long-term care / skilled nursing focus; adjacent to + DMEPOS but not a direct match. Consider only if FAHCS conference is not + available. [fhcaconference.org](https://fhcaconference.org/) + +--- + +## Regulatory Tailwinds — Use in Outreach + +These events are live as of April 2026 and should anchor all supplier outreach: + +| Driver | Detail | +|--------|--------| +| Florida Medicaid DMEPOS Moratorium | AHCA moratorium effective March 20, 2026 — no new Medicaid DMEPOS suppliers enrolling for 6 months. Incumbents face rising patient load with no new competition. | +| Nationwide Medicare Enrollment Moratorium | CMS moratorium effective Feb 27, 2026. Enrolled suppliers have protected market position — and rising management burden. | +| CB 2028 Bidding Window | Opens late Summer/Fall 2026. CGMs explicitly included. Margin compression begins for suppliers who don't reduce denial overhead now. | +| PA Expansion — April 13, 2026 | CMS expanded prior authorization for CGM and related DMEPOS. Each PA cycle creates a coverage gap risk Signal CGM is built to catch. | +| 2026 Accreditation Rule Change | Annual surveys now required (previously 3-year cycle). Compliance overhead is up — suppliers want tools that reduce other administrative burden. | + +--- + +## Summary: Priority Outreach Order + +| Priority | Target | Channel | +|----------|--------|---------| +| 1 | FAHCS — annual conference sponsorship/exhibit | Direct contact via fahcs.us | +| 2 | FAHCS member list — individual supplier outreach | Request via FAHCS membership | +| 3 | VGM vendor partner program | vgm.com vendor partner portal | +| 4 | Jacksonville independent suppliers | NPI directory cold outreach | +| 5 | Medtrade 2027 exhibitor | Plan if asset unsold by Q4 2026 | + +--- + +*Sources: aahomecare.org, fahcs.us, vgm.com, medtrade.com, gtlaw.com, +federalregister.gov, hme-business.com, npiprofile.com*