Between Cases Daily · Oct 26: DME bidding pause to 2028, at-home Skyrizi start, weekly insulin for kids

Medicare's DMEPOS competitive bidding pause continues until Round 2028 (CMS transmittal, Oct. 22). CMS's quarterly update for January 2027 restates that the program has been in a "temporary gap period" since Jan. 1, 2024, which lasts until Round 2028 starts. Round 2028 will use one nationwide remote item delivery bidding area. It will cover Class II continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, urological supplies, ostomy supplies, hydrophilic urinary catheters, and off-the-shelf back, knee and upper extremity braces. CMS expects Round 2028 contracts and single payment amounts to take effect no later than Jan. 1, 2028. If you sell CGMs, pumps or OTS bracing, that's the date your accounts will be asking about. (CMS transmittal R14019CP)

FDA approved a subcutaneous induction regimen for AbbVie's Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) in moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (Oct. 23). Patients can now start at home: 720 mg by on-body injector at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 8, then the on-body injector every eight weeks for maintenance. IV induction is still an option. In the Phase 3 AFFIRM trial, subcutaneous Skyrizi beat placebo on both co-primary endpoints, clinical remission and endoscopic response, at week 12. FDA also updated the label's TB language across all indications so providers use clinical judgment on TB evaluation before starting treatment, and AbbVie says there's no mandatory TB test. (AbbVie)

FDA approved Novo Nordisk's Awiqli (insulin icodec-abae) for children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes (Oct. 23). FDA calls it the first once-weekly insulin approved for kids with type 2 diabetes. It was approved for adults earlier this year. The pediatric approval rests on a single-dose study in 18 patients plus modeling showing blood levels match adults' after the first few doses. FDA tells patients to check the label and the dose shown on the FlexTouch pen before each injection, because it's dosed differently from other insulins. It got priority review. (FDA)

CMR Surgical got FDA 510(k) clearance for Versius Plus in specified benign gynecologic procedures (Oct. 23). The clearance covers benign total hysterectomy, oophorectomy, salpingectomy, adnexectomy, ovarian cystectomy and lysis of adhesions in adults 22 and older. It carries a contraindication for Monopolar Curved Scissors in gynecology; CMR recommends bipolar graspers, a monopolar hook and non-energized curved scissors instead. The supporting study was 45 procedures, all completed without conversion. (CMR Surgical)

Gilead is buying PepStar's oral IL-23 receptor inhibitor program for $1.275 billion upfront (Oct. 22). The lead asset, HCXT-2001, is an oral peptide in Phase 1 that Gilead sees as a daily pill for inflammatory bowel disease, alone or combined with its emvistegrast. Closing is expected in Q4 2026. (Gilead) On the cuts side, Tango Therapeutics plans to lay off about 14% of its staff, mostly in research, to focus on its PRMT5 cancer drugs. BioSpace estimates that's around 19 people. (BioSpace)

Johnson & Johnson MedTech Orthopaedics, Sales Associate, Foot & Ankle — Corning, NY. Posted Oct. 24. The posting says it's 100% commission with a bi-weekly draw, so read the comp plan closely. You'd sell the DePuy Synthes foot and ankle portfolio, cover cases and take on-call and ER consults. Asks for a bachelor's, or an associate's or medical certification (CST, PT, etc.) plus 2 years of experience, or 4 years in foot and ankle, trauma or ortho, or a recent move from active-duty military. 3+ years of selling or account management preferred. Posting

Pfizer, Senior Oncology Account Specialist, Genitourinary — Miami, FL. Posted Oct. 23. Base $108,600–$250,700 plus a sales incentive bonus. The territory includes Miami, South Florida and Puerto Rico. Asks for a bachelor's and at least 4 years of pharma sales or 4 years of oncology HCP experience; GU experience and Spanish/English bilingual preferred. Last day to apply is Nov. 6. Posting

Edwards Lifesciences, Area Sales Manager, Implantable Heart Failure Management — Long Island, NY. Posted Oct. 22. Base $128,000–$150,000 plus performance incentives. You'd help launch the Cordella PA Sensor heart failure system across Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens, calling on heart failure clinicians. Asks for a bachelor's and 5+ years of progressive sales experience plus medical device experience. Posting

Med Sales Mock Interview System, $39: a 16-page guide with 75 practice questions, a scorecard, and a brag-book template.

1099 Med Device Rep Playbook, $29: a 21-page PDF for independent reps.

Comp-Plan Red Flags Checklist, $9: 24 yes/no questions to ask before you sign a comp plan.