Medicare's Proposed Changes to Ostomy Product Classification

Hi folks! I have had my ostomy since my rectal cancer surgery in Jan. 2021. This is my first post on this board, and I always thought it would be more of a social-type inquiry, but I guess this will have to do. I recently received a notification from Hollister that Medicare is considering changing how ostomy products are defined: from "prosthetic devices," as they are now, to "medical devices." This move would apparently force ostomy supply providers to compete in a "competitive bidding" process. According to Hollister and the United Ostomy Associations of America, this would eliminate some providers from being able to sell their pouches and affect all ostomates who depend on these products. I don't know why this is being considered, but I have my suspicions. Anyway, Medicare is accepting comments until Aug. 29. If you are interested in commenting or learning more about this proposal, go to: https://www.ostomy.org/take-action/

Hopefully, my next post can be a little more lighthearted.

Thank you for posting. This is such an important issue. I have sent my comments and will share this information.

To all my ostomates in the US,

I hope this does not make life unbearable for all ostomates in America.

Why would the US make such a change to people who depend on a day-to-day requirement of their ostomy supplies?

I cannot do anything from Australia but wish you a 100% win in changing their minds about such a change.

Regards, IGGIE

Why? With the current administration, why not?

Thanks

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JasperSills: Great post! I sent my comments a few days ago regarding the "Competitive Bidding Program." Large numbers of people have already responded; you can read their comments on Regulations.gov.

Thanks to everyone who has read this post and left a comment with the CMS. Medicare is accepting comments until 11:59 Aug. 29, and I hope they get a zillion angry responses. And Iggy, thanks for your long-distance support from down under!

I have my suspicions about why this is being done, but I don't want to lose sight of the real issue just to make a political rant, which I easily could do. :) I may be wrong, but I think one of the reasons is a lack of understanding from the general public about our issues. I'm not trying to make light of other health concerns, but if they tried to do this for other health issues like, say, breast or lung cancer, or some other more common problem, even people who don't suffer from it can still understand what is at stake.

My only political comment about this is that it's seriously cruel. But that could be said about most of this administration's policies.

Amen!