WOCN LEADS EFFORT TO OPPOSE MEDICARE COMPETITIVE BIDDING

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a rule in Summer 2025 that would threaten access to essential ostomy and urological supplies by including them in the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). WOCN strongly opposed this policy, as it could significantly impact Medicare beneficiaries’ ability to obtain medically necessary supplies.

Despite this opposition, CMS finalized the rule in November 2025 and will move forward with implementation. This change will limit access to clinically appropriate products, increase the risk of complications, and undermine the critical role of WOC nurses in patient care.

Under the finalized Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Rate Update, CMS specifies that ostomy, tracheostomy, and urological supplies are medical equipment items mandated for inclusion under the DMEPOS CBP. WOCN has a long and clear history of opposing this policy. To date, WOCN has taken the following actions:

 

To date, WOCN has taken the following action to oppose this policy:

  • Submitted comments to CMS stressing our opposition to the proposed changes
  • Joined a letter to Congress asking they oppose the changes
  • Sent out a member alert urging WOCN members to send in their own comments opposing the policy; and directed members to include their patients by sharing the UOAA link for comments.
  • Participated in numerous visits with members of Congress educating them on the dangers of the policy changes.
  • Participated in the Digestive Disease National Coalition Day on the Hill to urge Congress to stop the policy from moving forward
  • Sent a grassroots alert to membership urging them to contact their members of Congress to sign a Dear Colleague letter to CMS expressing concerns with the policy.
  • Updated WOCN materials expressing concerns with the policy including: WOCN White Paper, infographic, and consensus statement
  • Spearheading effort to be clinical voice expressing concern directly to CMS

 

Implementation of this policy will not begin immediately; it is expected to take until at least 2027 before the competitive bidding process for these products begins. WOCN will continue to use this time to actively engage with CMS and Congress to halt implementation and stop the inclusion of ostomy and urological supplies in the competitive bidding program.