Patient, Disability and Clinician Groups Condemn CMS “Dangerous Experiment” With Ostomy, Urological, and Tracheostomy Supplies
Summary: WOCN and allied patient/disability/clinician groups issued a joint statement condemning CMS’s November 28, 2025, final DMEPOS rule fast-tracking ostomy, tracheostomy, and urological supplies into Medicare Competitive Bidding Program as early as 2026. Groups call it a “dangerous experiment” ignoring warnings: supplies are life-sustaining prosthetics needing individual tailoring, not commodities; bidding slashes choice to mail-order contractors, overriding clinicians; risks leaks, infections, hospitalizations; Congress protected these items—CMS circumvents administratively. Urge immediate halt, collaboration for targeted fraud solutions without harming access.
Key Highlights:
- Rule: Adds supplies to bidding; ignores stakeholder warnings.
- Risks: Leaks/infections/hospitalizations; loss of choice/clinical override.
- Criticism: Undermines CMS principles; shifts costs to ERs/clinics.
- Call: Halt implementation; work with patients/clinicians/Congress.
- Signatories: WOCN + patient/disability groups.
Keywords: CMS supplies, competitive bidding, ostomy, urological, WOCN