WASHINGTON—Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is spearheading a Congressional sign-on letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz seeking to delay competitive bidding for ostomy and urological supplies.
Delaying implementation of the proposed bidding protocols for these products will allow for a thorough review of serious concerns arising from their potential inclusion in the competitive bidding program, advocates argue.
"Ostomy, tracheostomy and urological supplies are not interchangeable, off-the-shelf commodity items easily sent by mail without the need for clinical fitting and support," the letter reads. "These are highly individualized prosthetics used by hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries. These are products that allow patients with spina bifida, paralysis, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer and other serious chronic conditions to: avoid life-threatening infections and hospitalizations; participate in employment; maintain continence and dignity; and breathe safely and effectively."
The letter also emphasizes the importance of proper fitting and individual support associated with these products, noting that: “Wound, ostomy and continence clinicians across the country emphasize that these products cannot be managed with a 'one-size-fits-all' assumption. The precise fit and clinical appropriateness of these devices are matters of life and death.”
Another issue raised involves guidance from the final rule that starts the bidding process in spring 2026, with the letter noting that “this abbreviated timeline is particularly alarming to clinicians and patient advocates given that these specific items have never been subject to national competitive bidding.”
The letter also says adding these supplies to the bidding program will not offer significant cost savings and will instead result in “preventable hospitalizations and complications,” leading to “enormous costs in Medicare Part A—far exceeding any savings realized through proposed, uncertain Part B reductions.”
"In light of our deep concern for patient health and our commitment to protect the best medical options for securing properly fitting ostomy, tracheostomy and urological supplies, we respectfully request that CMS withdraw the November 28 final rules—or significantly modify the policy to fully and compassionately accommodate the needs of those who rely on these uniquely situated products," the letter concludes.
The American Association of Homecare (AAHomecare) encouraged durable medical equipment companies that furnish these supplies to join the sign-on letter to delay implementation of competitive bidding for ostomy and urological products.