Urgent: Ostomy Supplies at Risk Due to CMS Proposal

Friends,

The United Ostomy Association of America is asking ostomy patients, doctors, WOCs, etc. to send in a comment to The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS is proposing a dangerous rule change that would jeopardize all of us getting our needed supplies. Comments are needed right now! Here is their info page about this: https://www.ostomy.org/take-action/

Here is the comment I sent. Feel free to copy and amend it as you see fit...

My name is Inette Dishler, and I rely on ostomy supplies and need to use them every day. These supplies are critical to my health and have been prescribed by my physician based on my specific medical needs. I use products that are specially tailored for me.

I am very concerned that CMS is proposing to include urological and ostomy supplies in future rounds of the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program. Including these supplies in CBP could force suppliers out of the Medicare program and severely limit my access to medically necessary, customized products. My health depends on consistent access to high-quality, individualized supplies, and I'm worried that this proposal will put that at risk.

I strongly urge CMS to withdraw this portion of the proposed rule and continue to protect access to the vital medical supplies that people like me depend on every day.

Please share this request with anyone else you know in the ostomy community.

Note about urgent action needed - this is specific to folks in the U.S. only.

Thanks for posting this important information.

Saw this over on UOAA and sent my response. I also got this email today from Convotec:

Dear valued customer,

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently proposed a rule that could potentially limit access to essential medical supplies used by thousands of people like you across the country.

This proposed change would allow urological and ostomy supplies to be added to Medicare's Competitive Bidding Program (CBP), even though these items are currently protected under law and excluded from bidding.

This proposal does not impact your current orders, and your supplier will continue to provide your supplies. However, we believe it's important to keep you informed. Because this proposal poses a risk to future access, the time to take action and make your voice heard is now.

What's at stake?

If this change goes into effect, it could seriously impact the quality of life of people who live with an ostomy or rely on intermittent catheters. Catheter and ostomy supplies are not one-size-fits-all. They are medically necessary, highly individualized, and prescribed by a physician.

If CMS moves forward with this change, many suppliers may exit the Medicare program, leading to reduced access, lower quality products, and potentially serious health consequences for those who rely on these critical products every day.

Why CMS Needs to Hear From You

CMS is required by law to review and consider all public comments before finalizing proposed rules. You don't need to be a policy expert. Your personal story is what matters most. Sharing how these supplies affect your health and daily life can make a powerful impact.

How to Submit a Comment (By August 29, 2025):

Visit the official rule page.
Scroll down and click “Submit a public comment.”
You can use or adapt the sample comment below to guide your message. Be sure to add your personal experience — that's what matters most.

Sample comment template

Subject: I Oppose Inclusion of Urological and Ostomy Supplies in Competitive Bidding

My name is [insert name], and I rely on [insert supply type, e.g., urological/ostomy] supplies provided by [insert provider name and location]. These supplies are critical to my health and have been prescribed by my physician based on my specific medical needs. I use products that are specially tailored for me.

I am very concerned that CMS is proposing to include urological and ostomy supplies in future rounds of the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program. Including these supplies in CBP could force suppliers out of the Medicare program and severely limit my access to medically necessary, customized products. My health depends on consistent access to high-quality, individualized supplies, and I'm worried that this proposal will put that at risk.

I strongly urge CMS to withdraw this portion of the proposed rule and continue to protect access to the vital medical supplies that people like me depend on every day. I Oppose Inclusion of Urological and Ostomy Supplies in Competitive Bidding

My name is [insert name], and I rely on [insert supply type, e.g., urological/ostomy] supplies provided by [insert provider name and location]. These supplies are critical to my health and have been prescribed by my physician based on my specific medical needs. I use products that are specially tailored for me.

I am very concerned that CMS is proposing to include urological and ostomy supplies in future rounds of the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program. Including these supplies in CBP could force suppliers out of the Medicare program and severely limit my access to medically necessary, customized products. My health depends on consistent access to high-quality, individualized supplies, and I'm worried that this proposal will put that at risk.

I strongly urge CMS to withdraw this portion of the proposed rule and continue to protect access to the vital medical supplies that people like me depend on every day.

Visit the official rule page: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/02/2025-12347/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-calendar-year-2026-home-health-prospective-payment-system-hh-pps-rate

That is shocking news for all ostomates in the USA. I hope this gets sorted really fast for you and that they see the very individual needs you guys have.

IGGIE

My Ostomy Journey: Keyla | Hollister

Smart move posting that here. I saw this request and sent my response last week.

I know that money doesn't grow on trees, not even for the government. But it's disgusting that they would stoop so low without first addressing the spending that would not hurt vulnerable people.

So this means ostomy and urological products may be placed out to bid, and choices for Medicare and Medicaid will be limited to a few possibly cheaper, lower-quality products.

I will reply... it is clear this administration lacks compassion for folks that are not ultra-wealthy. The ostomy community in the US is very small, but still, they choose to step on us and make a tough situation tougher.

Everyone could send one product to the White House to let them know how different we really are. The really sad part is I am sure this will happen because Medicare and Medicaid are running out of money.

There is absolutely no focus in the White House on this problem. Gotta update that gifted jet with gold toilets.

This administration is owned by billionaires and only caters to them. I find the administration and the Republicans in Congress who are totally immoral absolutely disgusting.

Thank you so much for sharing this!!!!

This is very upsetting. My mom and I wrote the following after reading your post.

“My name is Theresa Cleary, and I rely on ostomy supplies provided by Dr. Freida Goldman in Bound Brook, NJ.

These supplies are vital to my well-being and to my overall health. They have been prescribed by my physician based on my specific medical and physical needs. I use highly individualized products that are fitted carefully to my body and cannot be interchangeable.

I am very concerned that CMS is proposing to include urological and ostomy supplies in future rounds of the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program. Competitive Bidding could force suppliers to exit the Medicare program and severely limit my access to medically necessary, individualized products that I use daily. I depend on these individualized supplies, and I'm worried that this proposal will negatively impact the quality of my life as well as increase the risk of complications, including peristomal skin injury, infection, and hospitalization. Following my ostomy surgery, I was dealing with a variety of concerns, such as stool pancaking and stool leakage. I tried numerous products, but they caused severe skin rashes and did not stop the pancaking and leakage concerns either. An ostomy nurse recommended switching from a flat wafer to a convexity type, and this solved my issues and kept my peristomal skin healthy. Ostomy supplies are not one size fits all. This proposal forces incompatible products, leading to lots of complications, such as unhealthy peristomal skin, which can lead to infection. Additionally, with other products, I was unable to independently change my ostomy pouch myself. I had to rely on family members to change my pouch for me. With the highly individualized products I am using, I can manage my ostomy independently. This helps promote my quality of life.

I strongly urge CMS to withdraw the portion of the proposed rule that applies to ostomy supplies and continue to protect access to the vital medical supplies that people like me rely on every single day. It is so important for those living with an ostomy to have the freedom to choose from a variety of brands and different types of supplies and accessories. We are all different with different individualized needs.”