The bill also includes a provision exempting insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) from the Medicare competitive bidding process for 5 years.
Exempt insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors from the Medicare competitive bidding process for 5 years.
Occurrences
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.
It would exempt insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors from the Medicare competitive bidding process for five years.
we urge CMS to not finalize these proposals
Evidence
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The Collins Senate office says Collins and Shaheen introduced the DIABETES Act on March 11, 2026, and that the bill includes a provision exempting insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors from the Medicare competitive bidding process for 5 years.
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Congress.gov shows the earlier DIABETES Act introduced by Senators Shaheen and Collins in the Senate on December 12, 2024. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance, and the text describes a measure to ensure continued access to diabetes technology upon Medicare enrollment.
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The Senate office posted a letter from Collins and Shaheen urging CMS not to finalize a proposal that would put CGMs and durable insulin pumps into the Medicare competitive bidding program, arguing that doing so would reduce patient access and choice.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
The Collins Senate office says Senators Collins and Shaheen introduced the DIABETES Act on March 11, 2026, and that the bill includes a provision exempting insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) from the Medicare competitive bidding process for 5 years.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Congress.gov lists the earlier DIABETES Act as introduced in the Senate and read twice, then referred to the Committee on Finance, with latest action on 2024-12-12 and status introduced.
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GovInfo shows S. 4037 was introduced by Sen. Shaheen for herself and Sen. Collins, read twice, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The bill text would amend Medicare competitive-acquisition law so covered continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps are not included until items furnished on or after January 1, 2031.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
The CMS Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor lists Round 2028 product categories and includes "Class II Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and Insulin Pumps" as a bid category, with lead item A4239 and a bid limit. It explains bidders must submit a bid for the lead item in each applicable product category.
Assessments
Collins materially advanced the exact policy by co-sponsoring the 2026 DIABETES Act provision that would exclude covered CGMs and insulin pumps from Medicare competitive bidding until January 1, 2031, and by urging CMS not to include those devices. However, the bill remained introduced/referred rather than enacted, and CMS materials for the 2028 competitive bidding round still include Class II CGMs and insulin pumps. The promised exemption therefore was attempted but not delivered.
Collins made a serious same-term legislative and advocacy effort: she co-introduced the DIABETES Act with the exact 5-year exemption for insulin pumps and CGMs and also urged CMS not to include those devices in Medicare competitive bidding. However, the evidence shows introduction/referral and advocacy only, with no enactment, CMS final action, or implemented exemption. Because the promised policy outcome was not delivered, this is not full or partial delivery; it is a failed serious attempt.
Collins materially advanced the promised policy by co-introducing the DIABETES Act in 2026 with the specific 5-year exemption for insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors from Medicare competitive bidding, and by urging CMS not to finalize competitive bidding for those devices. However, the evidence shows legislative introduction and advocacy only, not enactment or a completed executive policy change delivering the exemption. Because there was a serious same-term legislative and oversight effort but no delivered outcome, this is best classified as never with an effort badge.