Three new HCPCS Level II codes for hydrophilic intermittent catheters went into effect on January 1, 2026. Given that the codes are new and there is no 2025 utilization data associated with them, how will CMS provide bidders the utilization information for their bids for both the Hydrophilic Urinary Catheters and Urological Supplies product categories? Also, how will CMS determine which of the three new HCPCS codes should be the lead item for each product category?

CMS will announce the lead items for the DMEPOS CBP product categories in late spring/early summer of 2026. For the Hydrophilic Urinary Catheters product category, CMS will use the latest data available at that time for the utilization information, which will include partial 2026 claims data for the HCPCS Level II codes for hydrophilic urinary catheters that became effective January 1, 2026 (A4295, A4296, and A4297). 

For the Urological Supplies product category, HCPCS Level II codes A4351, A4352, and A4353 included hydrophilic urinary catheters prior to 2026. As such, CMS will use partial year 2026 claims data for the HCPCS Level II codes in the Urological Supplies product category for the utilization information since the utilization for codes A4351, A4352, and A4353 no longer includes utilization for hydrophilic catheters effective January 1, 2026.