VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

New Bipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Improve Access to Diabetes Technology & Education for Medicare Beneficiaries

Published in Government Relations on March 13, 2026

U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), Cochairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, have introduced the Diabetes Interventions Addressing Barriers to Enrollment, Technology, and Education Services (DIABETES) Act, S.4037. 
 
A key provision of this legislation would protect insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) from being included in the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program for the next five years—a critical step to ensure Medicare beneficiaries maintain reliable access to the diabetes technologies they depend on. 

In addition to addressing competitive bidding concerns, the DIABETES Act includes important provisions to strengthen diabetes education and ensure smoother transitions to Medicare for individuals already managing the disease. 

Read Senator Shaheen and Collins’ press release here. 

Key Provisions of the Bill 

  • Five-year exemption from Competitive Bidding
    Insulin pumps and CGMs would be excluded from the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program for five years, addressing longstanding concerns that bidding policies could disrupt access to essential and complex diabetes technologies. 
  • Expanded access to diabetes self-management training (DSMT) 
    The bill builds on previous efforts to improve Medicare coverage for DSMT services delivered by certified diabetes educators—ensuring beneficiaries have access to hands-on support for managing their condition and using advanced technologies such as pumps and CGMs. 
  • Improved continuity of care 
    The bill seeks to ensure that individuals transitioning into Medicare do not face interruptions in their diabetes treatment or device access during the switch from commercial insurance to Medicare. 

Click here to view information on S.4037.  

The VGM Government Relations team will be closely monitoring this bipartisan legislation, urging our champions in D.C. to lend their support and sharing updates as it moves through Congress. 
 
Stay tuned as advocacy resources and next steps for DME suppliers will be available soon. 

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

Congratulations to CAMPS On This Important Legislative Victory thumbnail Congratulations to CAMPS On This Important Legislative Victory The signing of AB 1794 is another reminder of the critical role state associations play in shaping healthcare policy, removing barriers to patient care, and ensuring providers have a seat at the table when important decisions are made. Legislative successes like this do not happen by accident. They are the result of engaged members, strong advocacy efforts, and collaboration with policymakers to address real-world challenges facing providers and the patients they serve. August Recess Recap: Building Relationships, Advancing Advocacy thumbnail August Recess Recap: Building Relationships, Advancing Advocacy As Congress worked through the August recess, the VGM Government Relations team remained actively engaged in securing meetings and building relationships with legislators, candidates, and key congressional staff across the country. This summer, the team made a strategic decision to focus getting a strong balance between Republican and Democratic offices, recognizing the importance of broadening support for DMEPOS priorities and ensuring policymakers from both parties understand the challenges.. Introducing Patient Voices: Access to HME Matters thumbnail Introducing Patient Voices: Access to HME Matters The VGM Government Relations team is excited to announce Patient Voices: Access to HME Matters, a new way for patients, providers, vendors, caregivers, and industry partners to share their experiences with home medical equipment. Every story matters. AAHomecare Survey Results of RID Program thumbnail AAHomecare Survey Results of RID Program Thank you to AAHomecare for initiating this important survey demonstrating the significant risks to the DMEPOS industry should Remote Item Delivery Competitive Bid Program (RID CBP) Round 2028 move forward as is. VGM Group is proud to support the survey efforts to maximize provider participation. See below for the survey summary and analysis. Competitive Bidding Update: NPEast and NPWest Updating Licensure Requirement Information for Competitive Bidding Product Categories thumbnail Competitive Bidding Update: NPEast and NPWest Updating Licensure Requirement Information for Competitive Bidding Product Categories Per the Remote Item Delivery Competitive Bidding Program (RID CBP) Round 2028 requirements, bidders must meet all business and product category licensure requirements across every state, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories to be eligible to be a contract winner. New CMS Nationwide Probationary Prior Authorization Requirement for Newly Enrolled Suppliers of Certain DMEPOS Items thumbnail New CMS Nationwide Probationary Prior Authorization Requirement for Newly Enrolled Suppliers of Certain DMEPOS Items On Sept. 2, 2026, CMS introduced the Probationary Prior Authorization (PPA) program that will place newly enrolled DMEPOS Suppliers and those undergoing 100% change in ownership on a one-year probationary period. Effective Oct. 15, impacted suppliers will be required to submit a prior authorization request for specific HCPCS codes. OIG Report Signals Increased Fraud Oversight for DMEPOS Suppliers thumbnail OIG Report Signals Increased Fraud Oversight for DMEPOS Suppliers The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released a white paper examining ongoing Medicare fraud involving durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). Preparing for Increased Audit Activity: How VGM Group and The van Halem Group Can Help thumbnail Preparing for Increased Audit Activity: How VGM Group and The van Halem Group Can Help The recent HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on DMEPOS fraud signals that CMS is likely to increase oversight activities across the industry. The report calls for enhanced supplier enrollment screening, more aggressive medical reviews, expanded use of artificial intelligence and data analytics, greater physician order verification, and increased scrutiny of supplier ownership and billing practices.

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member