Hydrophilic catheter users: update your prescription!

Victoria’s Victory Foundation wants to make sure our community is prepared for an important upcoming change that may affect prescriptions for hydrophilic intermittent catheters. For most people, a prescription is just a document. For someone living with a disability, it can decide whether they receive the supplies that protect their health, independence, and dignity.

Living with a mobility disability is already a full-time job in of itself - making dozens of phone calls, chasing down signatures, or running out of essential supplies, in addition to the weight of advocating in a system that was not built with disabilities in mind. The 2026 catheter prescription changes are just one more painful reminder that the disability community is too often asked to fight for something incredibly simple that they need every single day.

What’s happening?

Starting January 1, 2026, prescriptions for hydrophilic catheters will need to be updated in order for you to continue receiving your current product.

Why is this change happening?

This is an administrative update from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). New billing codes, also called HCPCS codes, are being introduced to better recognize the technology of hydrophilic catheters.

What is the most important thing to know?

• The products themselves are not changing.

• Only the billing codes are being updated to more accurately reflect what you use today.

What does this mean for you?

If you use hydrophilic catheters, your prescription will need to be updated. Without this update, you may experience delays in receiving your hydrophilic catheters.

What should you do?

• Contact your supplier or prescribing clinician. Let them know your prescription must be updated for hydrophilic catheters.

• Ask them to include the word “hydrophilic” or your catheter’s brand name/item number on the prescription.

When should you act?

Now! If you update your prescription with the word “hydrophilic” or brand name/item number it will be valid in 2025 (old billing codes) and in 2026 (new billing codes). Reaching out ahead of the deadline will provide plenty of time for your supplier or prescribing clinician to review your records and submit the new paperwork without any rush.

What should you say to your supplier or prescribing clinician?

“I’ve been notified that the billing codes for my hydrophilic catheters are changing on January 1, 2026, and I will need an updated prescription to continue receiving them. Please update my prescription with the word ‘hydrophilic’ or the brand name/item number.”

We’re here to keep you informed.

VVF is committed to ensuring our community has the information needed to stay prepared. While we cannot answer specific questions about your individual prescription, your healthcare provider’s office and your supplier are the best resources for personal guidance. Please reach out to them with any questions or concerns so that your access to supplies continues without interruption.

For more information regarding these changes, click here.

The information from this blog post was sourced from Coloplast®.