Deadline To Comment On CMS' Proposed Rule Is Today

Published in Government Relations on August 29, 2025

VGM Group has submitted our comments on the CY26 CMS DMEPOS/Home Health Proposed Rule and encourages you to do the same (if you haven’t done so already)!  

Our comments provide key recommendations aimed at protecting patient access and supporting the HME community.  

VGM’s Key Recommendations Include:  

  • Opposing the proposed Remote Item Delivery Competitive Bid Program. 
  • Urging CMS to exclude ostomy, urological, and tracheostomy supplies from the bidding program. 
  • Advocating against the inclusion of liquid oxygen, diabetes products, and OTS upper-extremity braces in the program.
  • Retaining the bid ceiling at the unadjusted 2015 fee schedule. 
  • Preserving the current methodology for calculating the Single Payment Amount (SPA) using the clearing price.
  • Opposing the proposed shift to determine SPAs for lead items based on the 75th percentile of winning bids.

Your Voice Matters! — Submit Comments by Friday, Aug. 29, 11:59 p.m. ET. 

The proposed return of the Competitive Bidding Program and other proposed changes, as outlined, pose serious risks to the DMEPOS industry. With so much at stake, now is the time to make your voice heard!  

Submit Your Comments Here

Remember:  

  • Address the issues that matter most to your business. You don’t have to address every provision.  
  • Share how specific proposals affect your business, your employees, your patients, and the services you provide.  
  • Be factual and avoid PHI.  

You may find VGM’s comments here as a reference point. However, make sure to make them your own! Your experience, expertise, and perspective are the most persuasive to educate CMS on the impact of the proposed rules.  

From Our Experts

The Big Sky Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers Welcomes UTAH! thumbnail The Big Sky Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers Welcomes UTAH! The Big Sky Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers is pleased to announce that Utah has officially been accepted into the association as our newest participating state. Big Sky now proudly welcomes all Utah DME/HME, Respiratory, CRT, and Medical Supply companies into our regional association. Utah will have a designated state representative/director—appointed in the same manner as Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming—to ensure strong representation and a clear voice within the Association. Beyond the Shutdown and The Proposed Rule: Key Legislative Updates for the HME Industry thumbnail Beyond the Shutdown and The Proposed Rule: Key Legislative Updates for the HME Industry While the government shutdown and uncertainty surrounding CMS's Proposed Rule have dominated headlines, several important bills impacting HME providers continue to advance. Here's a quick look at three focused legislative priorities: Advocacy in Action: Texas DME Providers Stand Up For Patient Care thumbnail Advocacy in Action: Texas DME Providers Stand Up For Patient Care Texas DME providers are speaking out against proposed Medicaid reimbursement rate cuts that threaten access to essential medical equipment for vulnerable patients. At a recent public hearing, voices from across the state shared powerful stories about the real-world impact of these cuts—some as high as 85%. The Shutdown Has Ended—Now It's Time To Take Action thumbnail The Shutdown Has Ended—Now It's Time To Take Action The recent government shutdown created uncertainty across the healthcare landscape, and the DMEPOS community was no exception. In the weeks ahead, critical decisions will shape the future of our industry. By getting involved early—through advocacy, education, and collaboration—you can help ensure these policies support patients and providers rather than hinder them. Notably, the Continuing Resolution (CR) includes an extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through January 2026... New Issue Brief: Why Medicare's Competitive Bidding Program Needs Urgent Reform thumbnail New Issue Brief: Why Medicare's Competitive Bidding Program Needs Urgent Reform The Medicare competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment (DME) was designed to reduce costs—but it's failing patients and providers. A new issue brief from Pacific Research Institute and economist Wayne Winegarden highlights what changes are urgently needed. Champions of Change: DME Advocates Driving Real Change thumbnail Champions of Change: DME Advocates Driving Real Change Real change starts with real people. In this edition of Champions of Change, we're spotlighting two DME advocates who aren't just talking about problems—they're taking action. David Griffin and Gary Rench are showing us what it means to stand up for patients, providers, and the future of our industry. Join HME Industry Letter on CB Program to CMS Administrator Oz thumbnail Join HME Industry Letter on CB Program to CMS Administrator Oz HME suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors are invited to add their company's name to a letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz regarding the Administration's DMEPOS/Home Health Proposed Rule that includes provisions for a new competitive bidding round. The letter specifically asks CMS to withdraw or delay the DMEPOS provisions in the Proposed Rule and re-engage with industry, patient, and clinical stakeholders to design an evidence-based, fraud-resistant, America-First framework. Take Action Today: Urge CMS to Pause and Re-Evaluate the Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail Take Action Today: Urge CMS to Pause and Re-Evaluate the Competitive Bidding Program Now is the time to raise our voices. With the formal announcement of the Competitive Bidding (CB) Program expected as early as the end of this month, we must act swiftly and decisively. Below are two key opportunities to engage with your U.S. Representative and encourage their support for a Congressional letter urging Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to pause and reassess the CB Program.