RICHMOND, Va. – Apria Healthcare and Byram Healthcare, both part of the Owens & Minor family, have signed a new national provider agreement with Optum Health, expanding patient access to durable medical equipment (DME) nationwide.
Optum Health’s network spans more than 36,000 aligned physicians and advanced practice clinicians, as well as 1,900 clinical sites.
“Managing equipment needs can be especially difficult for patients with multiple health conditions,” said Perry Bernocchi, EVP and CEO of Patient Direct, which includes Apria and Byram. “By partnering with Optum Health, we’re bringing greater value, more choice, and easier access to the products patients need to stay healthy at home.”
Comprehensive DME for chronic and acute needs
As preferred providers in Optum’s national DME network, Apria and Byram will deliver products across a broad range of categories, including:
- Diabetes care
- Sleep health
- Respiratory therapy
- Wound care
- Urology
- Ostomy care
The companies say the partnership is designed to simplify the process of obtaining equipment—particularly for patients managing multiple conditions in the home.
Provider network support during rollout
To ensure a smooth transition, Apria and Byram are working closely with providers across Optum’s network. Educational resources and product information are being shared via the Optum Health provider portal and other channels. Additionally, both organizations are mobilizing sales and operations teams to support providers directly and ensure a seamless patient experience.
Part of a larger home care trend
The agreement underscores a broader industry shift toward integrated, patient-centered home care solutions. Similar partnerships—such as AdaptHealth with Humana and UnitedHealthcare with Synapse Health—reflect growing demand for streamlined DME access across large healthcare networks.
