HeartWare International names Katrin Leadley chief medical officer. Former CMS Deputy Administrator Jonathan Blum to join CareFirst Blue Cross, while former FDA Deputy Commissioner Sharfstein joins Johns Hopkins. Propeller Health taps senior VP for business and client development.

Durable medical equipment suppliers dropped by 27 percent in Medicare competitive bidding areas while only 5 percent of DME suppliers were lost in comparable, non-bidding areas. But the second year of the program’s round 1 rebid in 2012 saved Medicare $400 million, according to a newly-released Government Accountability Office report.

Proposals in the draft 2014 physician fee schedule address coverage for ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms and colorectal cancer screenings; CMS confirms nine accountable care organizations are planning to leave the Pioneer ACO program; and more reimbursement news.