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UOAA action call: CMS rule change-Medicare coverage of ostomy supplies
The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) has issued an urgent request for advocacy action by the ostomy community:
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a dangerous change: redefining ostomy and urological supplies as "medical equipment items" to include them in the Competitive Bidding Program.
What is Competitive Bidding? It's a system where suppliers bid to offer the lowest price for Medicare contracts. If applied to ostomy supplies, this means limited choices for you or your patients. Imagine being unable to obtain the correct, prescribed supplies you need to live safely and comfortably.
Why this proposal is a serious threat to health and well-being:
• Legal Overreach: Ostomy supplies are legally defined as "prosthetic devices" under the Social Security Act, not "medical equipment." CMS lacks the authority to arbitrarily change this definition.
• Patient Health at Risk: Ostomy supplies are clinically prescribed and not one-size-fits-all. A precise fit is crucial to prevent leaks, odor, and severe skin complications. Restricting you to a limited number of suppliers through competitive bidding will:
o Create Barriers to Access: You may not be able to get the specific products vital for your health.
o Disrupt Treatment and Compromise Care: Overrides your healthcare professional's prescribed treatment plan. Forces use of incompatible products, leading to complications.
United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) strongly opposes this proposal. Bottom Line: This proposal will restrict your access, remove your freedom of choice, and jeopardize your ability to effectively manage your ostomy.
CMS needs to hear from YOU – the patients, beneficiaries, and medical professionals.
Take Action TODAY! The public comment period closes at the end of August.
Here's how you can help:
• Submit your comments [see link below] and personal story to CMS. Clearly explain why this is a bad idea. Detail why access to the right products is essential for your quality of life. Emphasize the importance of precise fit and the negative impact of limited choices.
Don't wait! Protect you or your patient’s access to essential ostomy supplies!
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If you go to the following UOAA advocacy page, you can fill out an online form that will automatically submit your comments to become part of the official rulemaking record:
https://www.ostomy.org/take-action/
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I have had an ostomy for over 30 years. During that time I’ve tried different products. One time I got an Alcer under my plate 1/8 in deep because I was allergic to it. Some pouches stick to your skin and are hot Others smell really bad. Don’t make me change what I use that has worked for over 30 years. I am now 80 and I already am afraid of what might happen to my skin as I age. Not every product is going to work for everyone
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2 ReactionsI use three different products so as not let any one product become incompatible due to skin irritation or changing size of stoma or tissue around it. The different devices or appliances cover the skin around the stoma differently so each time it cannot build up an intolerance to one or the other in my opinion. Some products work better in warm weather conditions over others or showering as to absorption of water
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1 Reaction@hardingv: did you mean public comments are due by August 2026?
Never mind. I noticed the post is dated in July so the public comment time is passed.
https://www.ostomy.org/take-action/ they need us to write to this ostomy page
@klancee47 the public comment period is now closed
Unfortunately, CMS adopted this as a final rule. Attached is an FAQ from United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA). We'll have to see how this all shakes out.
I'm not sure about being able to use multiple suppliers. I currently have traditional Medicare and get supplies from Byram. When they discontinued a product I used that was available from a different Medicare supplier, I was not able to "mix and match" and had to buy it myself from Amazon. But maybe things have or will change.
As we get closer to the 1/1/28 effective date, watch for details for coping such as obtaining specific prescriptions.
Bah humbug!
Ostomy FAQ 2026 FINAL (Ostomy-FAQ-2026-FINAL-1.pdf)
I have a Blue Cross FEP plan and do not have part B of medicare does this change also affect private plans
I'm not positive, but I don't think so. The UOAA FAQs included a Q about Medicare Advantage Plans and said the following:
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"If I have a Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan, am I impacted by the Competitive Bidding Program?
Only Original Medicare (aka traditional Medicare) beneficiaries are impacted. However, down the road MA plans may choose to limit you to certain suppliers or reduce the reimbursement rates on the supplies that they cover. As a result, you may face less choice and less access. Other health plans typically mirror Medicare policies."
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1 ReactionIt is now January, 2026. The time for public comment has passed. Can anyone state what the proposed (presumably soon to take effect) new rule is? Or is the matter still in the rulemaking phase? Will the Durable Medical Equipment suppliers (eg Byram, Edgepark, etc) now have to compete with one another to be selected by Medicare as "the" supplier, with whom we all will have to deal? Does the rule call for Medicare to select particular product manufacturers (eg Hollister, Coloplast, etc) to be sole source suppliers to Medicare patients?