WASHINGTON – Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin announced that the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has "significantly increased allowable amounts of ostomy supplies reimbursable by Medicare." The Congressman, a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, urged HCFA to revise its guidelines on behalf of thousands of elderly and disabled beneficiaries whose access to basic medical care needs has been severely limited.

In response to Cardin's actions, HCFA last week modified its supplier guidelines. In several cases, the amount of ostomy supplies available per month has been doubled. For further information, the HCFA guidelines are posted on its web site at www.hcfa.gov/medlearn/ostomy.pdf

"I am gratified that HCFA has responded to the concerns of ostomy patients nationwide. In many cases, the "usual maximum" limits of supplies were unrealistically low. I am very pleased that HCFA has responded quickly to improve the situation for Medicare beneficiaries," said Rep. Cardin.