12 Leading Diabetes Organizations Urge Congress to Protect Medicare Access to Insulin Pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitors
Groups warn that competitive bidding will cause disruptions for people with diabetes on Medicare
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 14, 2026
The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) and Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC), joined by 10 other patient and healthcare professional organizations including the American Diabetes Association, Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, Beyond Type 1, and the Endocrine Society, urge Congress to block or delay the inclusion of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps in Medicare’s competitive bidding program until the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can ensure the changes will not disrupt patients’ access to these essential medical devices.
In letters to the committees of jurisdiction in the House and Senate, the 12 organizations warn that a new, untested payment model could force people with diabetes who have Medicare to change suppliers or devices, create gaps in access to diabetes technology and complicate the training and support patients need to safely manage their condition.
“For people who rely on an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor every day, an interruption in access is serious and can put their health at risk,” said Hunter Limbaugh, chair of the board of directors for the DPAC. “Patients should not have to worry about losing access to the technology that helps them manage their diabetes because of a new payment system that has not been shown to work. We are asking Congress to protect Medicare beneficiaries by delaying these changes until CMS can demonstrate that patients will continue to receive the devices, education and support they need.”
Insulin pumps and CGMs are critical tools for diabetes management, helping patients better control their blood glucose and avoid unnecessary hospital visits and the associated costs. Under the policy finalized in the 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System rule, CGMs and insulin pumps would be included in Medicare’s competitive bidding program beginning January 2028. Instead of being able to buy or eventually own their devices, under the new rule, patients would be required to rent their equipment from a limited group of 10 or fewer contracted suppliers nationwide.
The signatories raise concerns that this new rental model could disrupt patient access to these critical devices by limiting supplier options, forcing patients to switch devices and/or suppliers and creating delays in care. They also warned that CMS has not put adequate safeguards in place to ensure suppliers can provide compatible devices, necessary maintenance and software updates, and education and training on how to use the devices from qualified diabetes care and education specialists or other appropriately trained healthcare professionals. The changes could also force suppliers to close locations or go out of business, further limiting access.
Together, these leading organizations urge Congress to delay inclusion of CGMs and insulin pumps in the competitive bidding program untilCMS can ensure patient safety and access will remain.
Read the full October 14 letter here.