Legislative Update On DMEPOS Bills – Letter To CMS Admin Dr. Oz To Delay Competitive Bidding Program

Published in Government Relations on February 13, 2026

Many of you have already contacted your legislators in support of key DME legislation, including the DMEPOS Relief Act, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act, and the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act. We now have another important issue to bring to your attention. 

Ask Your Representative to Keep Ostomy and Urological Supplies Out of the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program 

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) is leading a Congressional sign-on letter urging CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to delay implementation of the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) for ostomy and urological supplies.  

The letter calls for additional time to fully evaluate the serious concerns raised about including these products in CBP. Lawmakers highlight that these supplies require proper fitting, individualized support, and clinical involvement, which could be compromised by moving forward too quickly. 

Additionally, the letter notes that adding these items to CBP is unlikely to produce meaningful cost savings. Instead, reduced access and lower product quality could result in preventable complications and hospitalizations, significantly increasing Medicare Part A costs while offering little to no savings under Part B. 

We strongly encourage all patient advocates to contact their House Representatives and urge them to sign on. 

You can review Congressman Smith’s letter here
The sign-on deadline is February 20—please take action today.

Thank you for your advocacy and for helping protect access to these essential medical supplies! 

And if you haven’t reached out to your legislators about the following bills, please do. 

H.R. 2005 DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025 

Original Co-sponsors: (Rep. Miller-Meeks-IA and Rep. Tonko-NY) 

DMEPOS Relief Act Policy Guide

Contacts: 

Take Action: Click here to send a pre-written and editable message to your legislator asking to support the DMEPOS Relief Act.

H.R. 1703 Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 

Original Co-sponsor: (Rep. Joyce-PA) 

CRT Titanium Carbon Fiber Bill H_R_ 1703 & S_247 Policy Guide.pdf 

Contact: 

Take Action: Click here to send a pre-written and editable message to your legislator asking to support the Mobility Act.

H.R. 2902, Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act of 2025 

Original Co-sponsors: (Rep. Valadao-CA and Rep. Brownley-CA) 

H_R_ 2902 & S_1406 SOAR Act Policy Guide.pdf 

Contacts: 

Take Action: Click here to send a pre-written and editable message to your legislator asking to support the SOAR Act

From Our Experts

Important Update: Prior Auth Exemption Process – Deadline Extended to May 26, 2026 thumbnail Important Update: Prior Auth Exemption Process – Deadline Extended to May 26, 2026 CMS has just announced that the deadline to opt out of the prior authorization exemption and continue submitting prior authorization requests has been extended to Tuesday, May 26. This extension only applies to suppliers that received a letter from the DME MACs in early March regarding their prior authorization exemption status. CRT Bill H.R. 1703 Advances Through Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee thumbnail CRT Bill H.R. 1703 Advances Through Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee As announced during the NCART and AAHomecare Legislative Conference last week, H.R. 1703, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act, was considered and advanced out of the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee. This is a positive step forward for the CRT community. VGM Government Relations Team Advocates for DME in Washington, D.C. thumbnail VGM Government Relations Team Advocates for DME in Washington, D.C. VGM Government Relations team members joined industry leaders in Washington, D.C., this week for a series of impactful advocacy events, including the 2026 AAHomecare Legislative Conference, NCART Legislative Conference, and the AAHomecare Payer Relations Council meeting. BREAKING NEWS: Big Win For DME Industry in North Carolina thumbnail BREAKING NEWS: Big Win For DME Industry in North Carolina Congratulations to ACMESA on the passage of a Medicaid funding bill, which provides important stability for DMEPOS providers and the patients they serve. Invite Your Federal Legislator to the CRT Product Expo in Washington, D.C. thumbnail Invite Your Federal Legislator to the CRT Product Expo in Washington, D.C. During the upcoming NCART/iNRRTS U.S. Rehab Legislative Conference, NCART and U.S. Rehab will host a Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) Product Expo on May 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Washington, D.C. This Expo is a valuable opportunity for members of Congress and their staff to see firsthand how CRT products impact independence, mobility, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Network Bidding Opens New Path for Small DMEPOS Suppliers thumbnail Network Bidding Opens New Path for Small DMEPOS Suppliers CMS released a new FAQ clarifying that small DMEPOS suppliers may form networks to collectively meet licensure, accreditation, and enrollment requirements for the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program. This guidance creates a new pathway for small suppliers to compete, with additional education and networking support available through VGM initiatives. VGM Group Highlights Value of DMEPOS Industry and Commends Efforts to Protect Patients and Communities thumbnail VGM Group Highlights Value of DMEPOS Industry and Commends Efforts to Protect Patients and Communities VGM Group continues to underscore the effectiveness and efficiency of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) industry and its critical role across the healthcare continuum. The services and support provided by DMEPOS suppliers not only enhance patient outcomes and strengthen community health, but do so in a cost-effective manner that delivers meaningful savings to the healthcare system. Thank You for Attending ‘What's Ahead for the DME Industry'. Recording Now Available. thumbnail Thank You for Attending ‘What's Ahead for the DME Industry'. Recording Now Available. Thank you for joining VGM Group's Ike Isaacson and AAHomecare's Jay Witter legislative update webinar. With significant movement at the federal level, we appreciated the opportunity to share the latest developments, emerging challenges, and what suppliers should be watching right now.