American Association for Homecare

10/14/2026

AAHomecare’s Laura Williard, Senior Vice President of Payer Relations, joined Dr. JB Sobel of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBS TN) for a fireside chat at the 2026 HME News Business Summit.

The Summit brings together HME industry leaders to share insights, discuss industry challenges, and explore opportunities to strengthen the future of home medical equipment and services.

Thank you to HME News for providing a platform for these important industry conversations!

10/14/2026

A recent CURE article shares bladder cancer survivor Bern Paul’s experience managing a permanent urostomy and his concerns about including ostomy and urological supplies in Medicare’s Competitive Bidding Program.

Paul explains that finding the right ostomy products has taken years of trial and error. Working with his doctor, an ostomy nurse, suppliers, and manufacturers, he developed a combination of nearly 10 products from different manufacturers to meet his individual needs.

His experience underscores why ostomy supplies are not one size fits all and why continued access to medically appropriate products is important for protecting patients’ health, independence, and quality of life.

Read the full article: https://www.curetoday.com/view/why-ostomy-supplies-are-not-one-size-fits-all-for-cancer-survivors

Bern Paul uses close to 10 products from different manufacturers to manage his urostomy after bladder cancer. He explains why Medicare bidding concerns him.

10/12/2026

The HME Industry isn’t for the faint of heart. Every day, you navigate industry challenges – and keep showing up for the people who depend on care at home. You’re built for the fight. And you’re not in it alone. Since 2024, our collective effort has delivered more than $3.6 billion in relief for the HME community.

Watch our story of the incredible people behind HME – and the resilience, purpose, and collective impact that drive our industry forward. https://aahomecare.org/achievements

10/11/2026

Analytix Solutions empowers healthcare practices to focus on delivering exceptional patient care while strengthening the business behind it. As a trusted partner in medical billing, full-cycle revenue cycle management (RCM), accounting, financial management, technology solutions, and consulting. Analytix Solutions provides the expertise, processes, and support healthcare organizations need to scale efficiently, improve profitability, and maintain compliance.

Thank you, Analytix Solutions, for supporting AAHomecare as a proud Bronze Corporate Partner!

10/09/2026

Reps. Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) and Brad Schneider (D-IL), both on the House Ways and Means Committee, introduced the Access to Medical Supplies Act. It would pause CMS’ plan to include these supplies in the Round 2028 bidding program for five years, while an expert panel and a demonstration project study what the change would mean for patients.

“Before CMS enacts a program that reshapes how patients receive highly personalized medical supplies, it should understand exactly what is at stake,” said AAHomecare President and CEO Tom Ryan.

The Association thanks Reps. Murphy and Schneider for their leadership on this legislation.

Call your Representative and ask them to cosponsor the Access to Medical Supplies Act.

10/09/2026

A new commentary from ostomate and healthcare professional Debi Fox highlights concerns about including ostomy supplies in Medicare’s Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program.

Drawing on more than a decade of personal experience living with an ostomy, Fox emphasizes that ostomy products are highly individualized and not interchangeable. The right combination of materials, adhesives, pouching systems, and accessories can be critical to preventing leaks, skin damage, infections, and other complications.

Fox stresses that efforts to address fraud, waste, and abuse should not limit access to medically appropriate products that help patients remain healthy, independent, and active in their communities.

Read the full commentary: https://journalrecord.com/2026/10/06/debi-fox-ostomy-supplies-medicare-competitive-bidding/

Oklahoma ostomy patient Debi Fox argues Medicare’s planned competitive bidding for ostomy supplies could put patients at risk by prioritizing cost over individualized care.

10/08/2026

CMS has announced registration and bidding dates for Round 2028 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program.

Key dates for suppliers:
• December 1, 2026: Bidder registration opens
• January 5, 2027: Bid window opens
• February 1, 2027: Bidder registration closes
• February 8, 2027: Covered Document Review Date
• March 10, 2027: Bid window closes

CMS has also released two new FAQs, eight new fact sheets, and updated to three fact sheets to help suppliers prepare for the bidding process.

Review the announcement and additional resources from CMS: https://dmeposcompetitivebid.cms.gov/node/794

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10/07/2026

A new DC Journal op-ed by colorectal surgeon Diego Schaps raises concerns about including ostomy supplies in Medicare’s Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program.

Schaps emphasizes that ostomy supplies are highly individualized and that access to the right pouching systems, skin barriers, and adhesives can be critical to a patient’s recovery, independence, and quality of life following surgery.

The article also highlights concerns that Competitive Bidding could limit product choice and access to community based suppliers, and calls for Congress to postpone the program for urology and ostomy products while its potential impact on patient access is evaluated.

Read the full op-ed: https://dcjournal.com/dont-let-medicare-undermine-life-saving-surgery/

Every surgeon makes a promise to patients. We cannot always promise a cure or that complications will not happen. However, we can promise to: one, do

10/05/2026

AAHomecare’s leadership team and Board Chairman met with OMB staff to discuss concerns surrounding Medicare’s Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program and the potential impact on the HME community and patient access.

During the meeting, AAHomecare shared recent supplier survey findings, including that 50% of responding companies said they would reduce their workforce without a Competitive Bidding contract. The survey included 306 companies representing more than 1,500 locations nationwide.

These ongoing discussions are critical to AAHomecare’s efforts to delay the program and ensure policymakers understand the potential consequences for suppliers, the patients they serve, and access to essential HME products and services.

10/05/2026

AAHomecare’s Cadie McGonagill and Mina Uehara represented the Association at the CAMES 2026 Annual Conference in Colorado last week.

Cadie and Mina connected with HME providers and industry leaders while sharing insights on key payer and regulatory issues impacting the HME community.

Thank you to the Colorado Association for Medical Equipment Services for bringing the HME community together for a day of education, networking, and important industry conversations.