U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) joined her House and Senate Diabetes Caucuses co-chairs in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) against including continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps in the Medicare competitive bidding program because it would limit the number of device suppliers, reduce patient access to the devices, and create barriers to obtaining necessary services.
The lawmakers are concerned about CMS proposals regarding the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program included in the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) proposed rule, according to an Oct. 24 letter they sent to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz urging the agency not to finalize the proposal.
“We are concerned that the agency’s proposals will reduce and complicate patient access to CGMs and durable insulin pumps,” which help patients monitor and manage their diabetes — reducing hospitalizations, preventing life-threatening complications, and improving quality of life, wrote Sen. Collins and her colleagues, who included U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).
“In the CY 2026 HH PPS proposed rule, CMS proposes a new and untested payment model for CGMs and durable insulin pumps while also proposing to include these devices in the competitive bidding program,” the lawmakers wrote. “We are concerned that by shifting responsibilities for maintenance, education, and training from CGM and insulin pump manufacturers to suppliers, CMS’ proposal would both decrease patient access and choice to this critical technology and hinder technological innovation.”
Sen. Collins and her colleagues also wrote that they’re concerned the proposed policies also would have the unintended consequence of reducing choices for CGM or durable insulin pump beneficiaries, according to their letter.
“Given these concerns, we urge CMS to not finalize these proposals,” they wrote. “As we have stated in past communications to the agency, we believe it is more appropriate for CMS to reform coverage policies for these technologies in alignment with the latest clinical evidence and support streamlined access.”