Senators introduce bill to delay bidding for CGMs, insulin pumps

WASHINGTON – Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, have introduced a bill that would, among other things, delay Medicare competitive bidding for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps for five years.

The Diabetes Interventions Addressing Barriers to Enrollment, Technology, and Education Services Act (DIABETES Act), S. 4037, would also expand Medicare coverage of diabetes self-management training sessions, where diabetes educators help train Medicare patients on how to manage the disease and use complex diabetes technologies.

“Senators Shaheen and Collins have a long record of standing by the millions of Americans who use diabetes products and working to ensure they can benefit from continuing technological advances for these devices,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president & CEO. “Their new legislation is an important step forward in protecting access to these critically important products and maintaining a robust supplier infrastructure to support patients.”

Provisions related to delaying competitive bidding for CGMs and insulin pumps can be found on pages 18-19 of the bill.

AAHomecare says it will provide messaging and resources for asking senators to support and co-sponsor the legislation soon.

Previously, Sens. Shaheen and Collins, co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, had urged CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz not to finalize a proposal they say could reduce and complicate patient access to CGMs and durable insulin pumps.

“Delays or disruptions in coverage of diabetes technologies can cause a decline in patient health, particularly for those enrolling in Medicare,” said Collins. “Our bipartisan legislation would streamline coverage for insulin pumps while expanding diabetes education and training for patients and providers, improving care for those managing this disease.”

“Diabetes is a lifelong illness that requires constant monitoring and treatment—and yet, too many patients experience disruptions in care or lack the training and technology to adequately manage it,” Shaheen said. “Americans living with diabetes should not have to jump through hoops to access life-saving care.”

According to the senators, the DIABETES Act has been endorsed by the American Diabetes Association, Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, Diabetes Leadership Council, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, and the Diabetes Technology Access Coalition.

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