Urge policymakers to remove ostomy and urological supplies from the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program

Prevent Wounds & Protect Quality Care

In recent rulemaking CMS expanded the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) to new product categories – including ostomy and urological supplies. Under the CBP, these anatomically specialized products will be grouped as interchangeable medical equipment items and provided to Medicare beneficiaries by a limited number (<10) of suppliers selected based on lowest-cost bids.

Yet, for ostomy and urological patients, individualized fit based on their unique anatomy, skin condition, needs and lifestyle is key. One size certainly doesn’t fit all. Access to the right supplies with the right fit is essential to protect against leaks, prevent infection, reduce complications and hospitalizations, and preserve quality of life. Ill-fitting supplies can lead to skin irritation and breakdown, skin infections, wounds and other complications, making this issue relevant to wound care advocacy. While the CBP is intended to lower Medicare costs, the Alliance believes that inclusion of ostomy and urological supplies in the program will result in severe clinical and logistical consequences for patients, which ultimately increase long-term Medicare costs. 

The Alliance and many aligned organizations have submitted comments, met with leadership at CMS and met with Congressional staff urging the withdrawal of ostomy and urologic supplies from the competitive bidding program. Additional provider and patient voices are key to keeping the pressure on policy makers. 
Your unique individual voice, experience and story can help move the needle and influence policy decisions. Make your voice heard with these advocacy tools. 

Help oppose this policy: Take action today

• Submit letter to Congress urging action: Learn more about this issue on HighCostOfLowBids.org – a site supported by 14 aligned organizations to educate and elevate patient and provider voices to policymakers. With the site's "Act Now" tool, in just a few keystrokes you can customize a pre-written template letter and send it to your elected representatives in Congress, urging them to act on this issue.

• Sign national petition emphasizing to CMS the widespread opposition: Add your name to the United Ostomy Associations of America’s national petition to demonstrate to CMS the widespread opposition the competitive bidding of these supplies.

Get ready for the next chapter of advocacy:

• Get ready to submit comments to CMS: In July, CMS will issue its proposed 2027 update to its Home Health and DMEPOS payment rule – the rule that implements the competitive bidding program. Once published, a 60-day comment period opens, providing a highly relevant opportunity for organizations, patients and providers to submit comments emphasizing concerns and urging removal of these supplies from the CBP. Stay tuned: the Alliance will update this page with comment-submission resources once the proposed rule is published for stakeholder feedback. 

For more information on advocacy surrounding the Competitive Bidding Program, visit:

• For patients: Understanding the Medicare Competitive Bidding Ruling (United Ostomy Associations of America)
• For providers: Competitive Bidding Position Statement and Guiding Principles for Sustainable Access  (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society)