VGM's Sleep Services Reaches Out – Early and Often

Published in Member Communities on August 31, 2023

Sleep ServicesThis post was originally featured in HME News.

VGM & Associates officially launched Sleep Services in August to help HME providers specifically address the growing impact of staffing shortages on compliance with CPAP therapy. 

The program, which is equipment agnostic, allows providers to outsource no-touch delivery, onboarding, patient setup, compliance and post-compliance monitoring. 

“The challenge of having enough staffing to get ahold of patients to try to get them compliant has been around since the beginning,” said Barry Thwaits, senior vice president of business development for VGM & Associates. “What has changed in recent years is the number of locations a provider has, has shrunk and so the amount of work each location has to do has grown. They haven’t been able to maintain that ratio of FTEs to patients and so who is going to do the setups and who is going to stay in touch with patients?” 

Sleep Services, which had a soft launch at VGM’s Heartland Conference in June, is led by John Carter, vice president of sleep and respiratory compliance services at VGM, and a team of respiratory therapists, clinicians and care coordinators. 

At the core of the program is the belief that there is no “secret sauce” to compliance, Carter says. 

“One of the big components of the program is we’re making live calls with real people 48 hours after setup,” he said. “It’s about being in touch with them early and often. One of the biggest mistakes that the industry has made is setting up patients and then waiting 30 days to see how they’re doing. That’s too long.” 

After 48 hours, the program includes calls every week until the 30-day mark and, depending on a patient’s progress, every 15 days until the 90-day mark, Carter says. 

“We’re checking in; we’re looking at their data,” he said. “It’s about having knowledgeable people talking to patients and coming up with solutions when they’re having issues.” 

Thwaits sees Sleep Services as the foundation for VGM to provide patient monitoring services on a larger scale – it’s looking to offer a similar service for non-invasive ventilation – and to leverage the company’s various divisions, including VGM Fulfillment, a licensed third-party logistics provider and wholesale distributor of medical supplies and devices. 

“We believe our mission is to build services that will allow our providers to be more efficient and more profitable,” he said. “This is just another piece of the puzzle that allows us to be flexible in how we operate. Imagine a provider can literally have product shipped, have it set up, have their patients be compliant and have their supplies needs fulfilled and never touch a piece of inventory.”


TAGS

  1. cpap
  2. hme
  3. oxygen
  4. respiratory
  5. sleep
  6. vgm

From Our Experts

A Data-Driven Approach to Unlocking Growth in the HME Industry thumbnail A Data-Driven Approach to Unlocking Growth in the HME Industry Discover how to enhance your HME business growth with data-driven strategies with actionable tools and resources. VGM & Associates Launches “IM: Unfiltered” Podcast Series thumbnail VGM & Associates Launches “IM: Unfiltered” Podcast Series VGM & Associates is proud to announce the launch of its new podcast series, IM: Unfiltered, created with members of the VGM community in mind. This dynamic new series delivers candid conversations, expert insights, and timely updates that matter most to home medical equipment (HME) providers. Expanding Your DME Offerings for Breastfeeding Awareness Month thumbnail Expanding Your DME Offerings for Breastfeeding Awareness Month Discover how DME providers can celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness Month in August 2025 by expanding their offerings to include mother/baby products. Key Insights from MedPAC's July Data Book for DME Providers thumbnail Key Insights from MedPAC's July Data Book for DME Providers Learn about the evolving Medicare landscape, the impact of an aging population, and the shift towards home healthcare from MedPAC's July 2025 Data Book. Announcing the Finalists for the 2025 O&P Woman of the Year Award thumbnail Announcing the Finalists for the 2025 O&P Woman of the Year Award OPGA is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2025 O&P Woman of the Year Award. These remarkable women will be honored during the AOPA National Assembly, taking place on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 9:50 a.m. in the Product Preview Theater (PPT) within the exhibit hall. Revolutionizing Independent Living: How Smart Home Technologies Are Reshaping Accessibility thumbnail Revolutionizing Independent Living: How Smart Home Technologies Are Reshaping Accessibility As the global population ages and the demand for accessible housing accelerates, smart home technologies are emerging as essential tools, not just for convenience, but for safety, autonomy, and well-being. Today's smart products, like Autoslide's automatic door systems and Yale's smart locks, are more than gadgets. They are assistive technologies designed to empower people with limited mobility. A Quick Guide to the New NCD for Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation thumbnail A Quick Guide to the New NCD for Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation Discover the key changes in Medicare's new NCD for non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) for chronic respiratory failure due to COPD. A Letter from the President: Clarity, Connection, & Champions of Change thumbnail A Letter from the President: Clarity, Connection, & Champions of Change This letter explores the importance of clarity, simplicity, and strategic partnerships, while providing insights on strengthening customer relationships.