The bill that would create a more accessible path for Medicare beneficiaries wanting to upgrade their ultralightweight wheelchairs was described as “common sense” during a Jan. 8 Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee meeting. The meeting centered on several bills related to durable medical equipment and funding barriers such as competitive bidding. Tom Ryan, president/CEO of…
Ultralightweight Upgrade Bill Called ‘Common Sense’ at Congressional Meeting
CMS Releases 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule Changes
Competitive bidding rounds impact the actual increases for product categories.
The new Medicare fee schedule for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) has been released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The fee schedule is effective Jan. 1, 2026. CMS announced the Consumer Price Index Urban (CPI-U) percentage increase as 2.7%. But in a Dec. 22 bulletin, the American Association…
Final Rule Follow-Up: ‘Legacy’ Product Categories Out of Competitive Bidding’s Next Round
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ fact sheet has been updated.
The product categories for the next round of Medicare competitive bidding will look very different from what industry veterans are accustomed to seeing. According to a Dec. 9 bulletin from the American Association of Homecare (AAHomecare), “legacy product categories,” including oxygen, standard wheelchairs, CPAP systems, hospital beds “and others included in previous bidding rounds will…
CMS Final Rule Restarts Competitive Bidding, Requires Annual DMEPOS Accreditation
Urological, ostomy and tracheostomy supplies were deemed to be appropriate for Medicare competitive bidding.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) home health calendar year 2026 final rule revives Medicare’s controversial competitive bidding program and requires annual accreditation for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers who bill Medicare. The long-awaited final rule was published on Nov. 28. Accreditation to become an annual requirement Accreditation, which…
Briefly: CMS Announces Medicare Part B Premium, Deductible; New Mobility Seeks a Print Return
Featuring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and United Spinal Association.
CMS Announces Medicare Part B Premium, Deductible Increases for 2026 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $202.90 in 2026. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $283. That’s an increase of $17.90 for the monthly…
Updated Urological Supplies LCD Includes SCI Revision
The change impacts eligibility for sterile catheter kits.
The updated urological supplies local coverage determination (LCD) published by the Medicare DME MAC contractors includes a significant change for patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The LCD was published Nov. 13, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. “The LCD incorporates finalized revisions, as a result of the LCD reconsideration process and written…
CMS PMD Policy Article Revisions Include Power-Assist Changes
The changes update descriptions for power assist and power add-ons.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its policy article for power mobility devices (PMDs) — and the latest article contains updates to power-assist definitions and descriptions. The effective revision date for the changes is Oct. 1, 2025. A power-assist system, HCPCS coded E0986, is described as “An electrically powered option that…
DME MACs Issue Coding Reminders on PWC Hardware, Accessories
The Medicare contractors cited “confusion” among providers when billing a group of electronics codes.
The DME MAC contractors for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued a joint reminder regarding proper coding for power wheelchair hardware and accessories. In the Oct. 2 bulletin, the DME MACs said, “There is confusion regarding the billing of certain power wheelchair electronic codes. This article provides instructions on the appropriate…
CMS: ICD-10 Codes No Longer Required for Wheelchair Seating Documentation
The DME MAC contractors announced the change on Oct. 2.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) DME MAC contractors have removed ICD-10 codes from its wheelchair seating requirements. The National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) reported the change in an Oct. 2 breaking news bulletin to stakeholders while linking to the updated article. The article’s revision date is Oct. 1, 2025.…
AAHomecare Shares Proposed Rule Comments on DMEPOS Competitive Bidding, Accreditation
The public comment period closed Aug. 29.
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has submitted its comments on Medicare competitive bidding and accreditation recommendations in the calendar year 2026 home health proposed rule. AAHomecare addressed its 45-page list of comments to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, M.D., on Aug. 27. Competitive bidding proposals in conflict with executive…