NORTH SOUND OSTOMY

WELCOME OSTOMATES!

The North Sound Ostomy Support Group is a non-profit, volunteer-based support group dedicated to promoting quality of life for people with ostomies or continent diversions and their caregivers and families through information, support, advocacy, and collaboration.

We serve the South Skagit, Snohomish, and North King counties in Washington State.

Do you have questions about having an Ostomy? Be sure to check our Resources section or Contact us directly.

GATHERINGS

We get together on the third Monday of the month every quarter from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the PUD Electric Building Headquarters in Everett and/or virtually via Zoom.

We are also having a Coffee Baggers social meetup every second Saturday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m, at various local coffee shops.

All are invited to bring their spouse, family members, and friends.

UPCOMING

Feb 14 Coffee Baggers Meetup, at a local coffee shop, from 10-11 a.m.
Feb 16 Quarterly Gathering via Zoom, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Mar 14 Coffee Baggers Meetup, at a local coffee shop, from 10-11 a.m.
Apr 11 Coffee Baggers Meetup, at a local coffee shop, from 10-11 a.m.
May 9 Coffee Baggers Meetup, at a local coffee shop, from 10-11 a.m.
May 18 Quarterly Gathering at the PUD Electric Building in Everett and via Zoom, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Jun 13 Coffee Baggers Meetup, at a local coffee shop, from 10-11 a.m.
Jul 25 Annual Picnic, at the Langus Riverfront Park, starting at 2 p.m.
Aug 8 Coffee Baggers Meetup, at a local coffee shop, from 10-11 a.m.
Sep 12 Coffee Baggers Meetup, at a local coffee shop, from 10-11 a.m.
Sep 21 Quarterly Gathering at the PUD Electric Building in Everett and via Zoom, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Oct 3 Ostomy Awareness Fair — TBA
Nov 14 Coffee Baggers Meetup, at a local coffee shop, from 10-11 a.m.
Nov 16 Quarterly Gathering via Zoom, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Dec ? Christmas Party — TBA

To be notified of upcoming gatherings, events, etc. please subscribe to our mailing list and/or subscribe to our calendar.

COFFEE BAGGERs
Social MEETUP

Saturday, February 14, 2026
10:00-11:00 a.m.

In-Person

The Kitchen

Quil Cida Creek Casino

6221 31st Ave NE
Tulalip, WA 98271

QUARTERLY
GATHERING

Monday, February 16, 2026
6:30-8:00 p.m.

Speaker

Jaime McCann
Balanced Body Physical Therapy

Video

Join via Zoom

Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929

Password: zoomostomy

Phone/Audio

253-215-8782

Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929

Password: 7216698069

Please visit our Blog for the latest news, announcements, etc., or subscribe to our mailing list.

Understanding the Medicare Competitive Bidding Ruling

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2026 Home Health and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (“DMEPOS”) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) Final Rule in the Federal Register late Friday, November 28, 2025. The final rule specifies that ostomy, tracheostomy, and urological supplies are medical equipment items mandated for inclusion under the DMEPOS CBP by section 1847(a)(2)(A) of the Act.

This was not the ruling response we had hoped for. CMS has largely finalized the rule as proposed, which is disappointing given all the comments submitted and Hill activity.

For those interested in reading the complete final rule, it can be found here. Most of the ostomy language can be found on pages 492-503. CMS also released a corresponding Fact Sheet for the DMEPOS CBP which can be found here.

The rule change does not have any immediate effect on ostomy supplies for Medicare beneficiaries. You should continue ordering your supplies as usual. The actual change that affects how you order supplies will not begin until January 1, 2028.

UOAA recognizes that you will have many questions. UOAA developed a FAQ sheet that will hopefully address most of your questions.

Importantly, UOAA will continue to advocate and work with stakeholders to protect access to ostomy and urological supplies. Our work is not done!

TAKE ACTION

We now need every patient advocate to help us build support for a House Sign-On letter seeking to delay competitive bidding for ostomy and urological supplies.

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) is spearheading a Congressional sign-on letter to CMS Administrator Oz.

Delaying implementation of the proposed bidding protocols for these products will allow for a thorough review of serious concerns arising from their potential inclusion in the CB program.

Please take action here. The congressional sign-on opportunity is expected to close on Feb. 20, so please contact your legislator today. This is a House-only sign-on letter; there is no need to contact your Senators at this time.

UOAA VIRTUAL OSTOMY CLINIC

Ostomies change bodies and lives. People living with an ostomy need personalized suggestions and ongoing support from medical experts who really understand ostomies. In the healthcare system today, too many ostomates do not have the regular access to a certified ostomy nurse they need for a successful health journey. This is why UOAA has partnered with The Wound Company – to bring certified ostomy nurses to ostomates and their caregivers across the United States virtually.