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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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HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ostomy Support Group.
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Ostomy supplies have to fit the person not the policy. All bodies and fit of supplies are unique to each individual. This means some products from a particular supplier work for the individual. Products from another supplier may not work as well or not at all. The correct choice directly reflects on the patient's quality of life.
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1 ReactionAgreed. If you haven't already done so, please go to the link at the bottom of the post and submit an official comment to that effect on the rule through the form on the right side of the page
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1 ReactionYep, did that too.
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1 Reactioni filed mine
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1 ReactionIt is difficult enough living like this with an ostomy, so please don’t be making any changes on the supplies. Supplies are specific to the needs of the patient regarding size shape. Things needed to hold the bag on, etc. etc. please help us.
I find it difficult enough living with an ostomy, so please don’t make changes on the supplies or suppliers. What Supplies I use are specific to me the patient regarding size shape. Things I need.
Please don't change.
Having lived through restrictions in what type of appliances I could get through military insurance in the 1980s, I encourage everyone to respond to this. I had to change my appliance three times a day, rather than twice a week, it was definitely not a savings for the insurer. And not a good quality of life for me.
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1 ReactionNote that the deadline for submitting comments on the rulemaking is Aug 29.
So, if you haven't done so already, please go to the UOAA web page and use the online form to submit your comment (see link at the bottom of this post).
I survived a 7 hour ileostomy surgery 26 months ago at the then age of 84. It was scary, draining, life altering, and life saving. Today, at age 87, I thrive, drive, travel extensively, help raise grandchildren and generally contribute to society.
All this because of the medical community’s expertise, my own perseverance and the ostomy supply industry’s amazing innovation and competitive vitality. Classify ostomy supplies as you wish, but I know from real-world experience that they are NOT cookie-cutter and routinely interchangeable!
Patient choice of which particular supplies work for them (us) is vital to our health, happiness, CONFIDENCE and lifestyles.
If you don’t believe me, try living in our shoes for a while. See WHERE and WHY you pee ( and worse) in your own pants. I promise you will not like that experience any more than we do!
Respectfully submitted,
Personal confidentially requested:
Gerald Chichester
Avon CT
Written & submitted from La Plata, Argentina, while visiting in-laws.
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1 ReactionA very compelling story. Did you submit it through the UOAA online comment form?
If not, would you either do so or allow me to submit it anonymously?
May you continue to live life to the fullest!