CMS Maintains NOPAIN Act Eligibility for ON‑Q* and AmbIT* Infusion Pumps; Adds Game Ready* in 2026

Rhea-AI Summary

Avanos (NYSE: AVNS) announced that CMS' 2026 OPPS/ASC Final Rule maintains separate NOPAIN Act Medicare payment for the Avanos ON-Q and ambIT infusion pumps and adds Game Ready GRPro 2.1 effective Jan. 1, 2026.

CMS assigned unique HCPCS codes and published payment limits of $2,008.72 for ON-Q and ambIT, and $1,997.16 for Game Ready when medically necessary and used with a covered surgical procedure.

Positive

• CMS confirmed continued separate Medicare payment for ON-Q infusion pump under the NOPAIN Act
• CMS confirmed continued separate Medicare payment for ambIT electronic infusion pump under the NOPAIN Act
• CMS added Game Ready GRPro 2.1 to qualifying products effective Jan. 1, 2026
• CMS published brand-specific HCPCS codes and payment limits (~$2,000) for each qualified device

Negative

• Game Ready payment limit ($1,997.16) is slightly lower than ON-Q/ambIT ($2,008.72)

News Market Reaction – AVNS

-0.37%

10 alerts

-0.37% Session close to close

$655.67M Market Cap

0.1x Rel. Volume

In the Feb 3 session, AVNS declined 0.37%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 10 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement confirms that ON‑Q and ambIT infusion pumps will retain separate Medicare payment ...

Analysis

This announcement confirms that ON‑Q and ambIT infusion pumps will retain separate Medicare payment under the NOPAIN Act and that Game Ready GRPro 2.1 will join them starting Jan. 1, 2026. CMS set payment limits of $2,008.72 for ON‑Q and ambIT and $1,997.16 for Game Ready under OPPS/ASC. Investors may track how this reimbursement support ties into Avanos’s pain management strategy, prior Game Ready portfolio changes, and upcoming earnings updates.

Key Figures

NOPAIN Act payment window: Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2027 Game Ready start date: Jan. 1, 2026 ON-Q payment limit: $2,008.72 +3 more

6 metrics

NOPAIN Act payment window Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2027 Separate Medicare payment period for qualifying non-opioid drugs and devices

Game Ready start date Jan. 1, 2026 Game Ready GRPro 2.1 qualifies for separate payment under NOPAIN Act from 2026

ON-Q payment limit $2,008.72 CMS-calculated payment limitation per ON-Q infusion system under OPPS

ambIT payment limit $2,008.72 CMS-calculated payment limitation per ambIT infusion system under OPPS

Game Ready payment limit $1,997.16 CMS-calculated payment limitation per Game Ready GRPro 2.1 system under OPPS

HCPCS code C9817 Unique HCPCS code assigned to Game Ready GRPro 2.1 for separate payment

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 20 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jan 20	Strategic collaboration	Positive	+0.1%	Co-marketing agreement with Siemens to integrate RFA with imaging systems.
Jan 07	Conference appearance	Positive	+4.8%	JP Morgan Healthcare Conference presentation increasing investor visibility.
Nov 05	Earnings update	Negative	-5.7%	Q3 2025 net loss and prior goodwill impairment despite raised guidance.
Oct 27	Earnings call setup	Neutral	-0.8%	Announcement of upcoming Q3 2025 results conference call and webcast.
Oct 23	Business divestiture	Neutral	-0.3%	Agreement to sell US Game Ready orthopedic rental business with supply deal.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent AVNS news events have mostly produced modest, directionally aligned price moves, with larger reactions around earnings and major conferences.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Avanos reported Q3 2025 results with modest sales growth but a net loss and prior $77.0M goodwill impairment, which coincided with a -5.66% move. Strategic updates included a co‑marketing deal with Siemens Healthineers and the sale of the US Game Ready orthopedic rental business, both with limited price impact. The JP Morgan conference appearance in Jan 2026 drew a stronger +4.79% reaction, suggesting investors respond more to visibility and financial disclosures than routine news. Today’s CMS/NOPAIN decision fits into this pattern of targeted, operationally focused catalysts.

Key Terms

medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system (opps), ambulatory surgical center (asc), healthcare common procedure coding system (hcpcs) code, cryo-pneumatic compression

4 terms

medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system (opps) regulatory

"released the 2026 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)"

A Medicare payment system that sets fixed, predetermined amounts hospitals receive for outpatient care—such as emergency visits, same-day procedures and imaging—based on standardized service groups. Think of it like a menu of set prices Medicare will pay for each item rather than reimbursing actual costs; changes to those prices or the covered items directly affect hospital revenue, margins and investment outlooks for healthcare companies.

ambulatory surgical center (asc) regulatory

"Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System Final Rule"

An ambulatory surgical center (ASC) is a medical facility that performs surgical procedures and other treatments where patients arrive and leave the same day, similar to a specialized clinic focused on planned, short-stay operations. For investors, ASCs matter because they often operate at lower cost and higher efficiency than hospitals, rely on steady procedure volumes and reimbursement rates, and can be sensitive to changes in insurance payments, regulations and local demand.

healthcare common procedure coding system (hcpcs) code regulatory

"each have a unique, brand-specific Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code"

A HCPCS code is a standardized label used by U.S. health programs and insurers to identify medical procedures, devices, tests and supplies for billing and payment. Think of it like the SKU for healthcare services: it tells payers exactly what was provided and how much should be paid. Investors watch these codes because they determine whether services or products are covered, how much providers are paid, and therefore affect revenue and market access.

cryo-pneumatic compression medical

"Game Ready* GRPro 2.1 cryo-pneumatic compression pain management system"

Cryo-pneumatic compression is a medical therapy that combines cold therapy with gentle, rhythmic air pressure applied around a limb or joint to reduce pain, swelling and the risk of blood clots after injury or surgery. It matters to investors because devices that deliver this combined treatment can shorten recovery times, lower complication rates and create repeat sales or service needs, so regulatory approval, clinical acceptance and reimbursement shape the commercial outlook — like a tool that helps a machine run smoother and needs upkeep.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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ALPHARETTA, Ga., Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Avanos Medical, Inc. (NYSE: AVNS) announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2026 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System Final Rule. The Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) Act requires CMS to provide separate Medicare payment to facilities for qualifying non-opioid drugs and devices from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027. CMS expanded the list of qualifying products for 2026.

The NOPAIN Act, enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriation Act (CAA), 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328), is designed to expand patient access to non-opioid drugs and devices used for post-operative pain management in Hospital Outpatient Department (HOPD) and ASC settings paid under OPPS. The legislation directs Medicare to provide separate payment for qualifying non-opioid pain management treatments, helping ensure that clinicians and patients have access to effective non-opioid alternatives after surgery. In the calendar year (CY) 2026 final rule, CMS confirmed that Game Ready* GRPro 2.1 cryo-pneumatic compression pain management system meets qualifying requirements for separate payment under the NOPAIN Act, beginning Jan. 1, 2026. The Avanos ON-Q* elastomeric infusion pump and the Avanos ambit* electronic infusion pump - both non-opioid pain management delivery systems – will continue to receive separate payment under the NOPAIN Act as originally qualified in Jan. 2025. HOPDs and ASCs that use these products for post-surgical pain management will continue to receive separate Medicare payment under OPPS in addition to the payment for covered surgical procedures.

The ON-Q elastomeric and ambIT electronic infusion pumps were validated by CMS as treatments that can effectively replace or reduce postoperative opioid use, supported by clinical trial evidence and peer-reviewed research. The Game Ready GRPro 2.1 system was also validated by CMS as a cryo-pneumatic compression therapy used to reduce pain and swelling following surgery, supported by clinical research. These innovative non-opioid devices offer clinicians proven alternatives to traditional opioid-based pain management, helping to improve patient outcomes while reducing reliance on opioids after surgery.

Both ON-Q and ambIT infusion delivery systems each have a unique, brand-specific Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code eligible for separate payment in the HOPD and ASC settings. Game Ready GRPro 2.1 has also been assigned a unique, brand-specific HCPCS code (C9817) eligible for separate payment in the HOPD and ASC settings when medical necessity criteria and all other requirements are met. The payment limitation calculated and published by CMS is $2,008.72 for the ON-Q infusion system, $2,008.72 for the ambIT infusion system, and $1,997.16 for the Game Ready GRPro 2.1 pain management system, when deemed medically necessary and used in conjunction with a covered surgical procedure.

"We applaud CMS for recognizing the value of ON‑Q and ambIT pumps and the Game Ready system under the NOPAIN Act," said Dave Pacitti, CEO of Avanos Medical. "This decision reinforces CMS' commitment to expanding patient access to safe, effective, non‑opioid pain management options. We remain dedicated to partnering with clinicians and policymakers to advance proven solutions that help reduce opioid dependence and improve recovery outcomes."

For more information on ON-Q elastomeric infusion pump, ambIT electronic infusion pumps, and Game Ready GRPro 2.1 cryopneumatic compression device inclusion under the NOPAIN Act, please click here: Avanos NOPAIN Act.

For inquiries regarding the NOPAIN Act, contact our Market Access and Reimbursement Team at reimbursement@avanos.com.

To view the Final Rule in its entirety, visit the Federal Register.

About Avanos Medical
Avanos Medical (NYSE: AVNS) is a medical technology company focused on delivering clinically superior medical device solutions that will help patients get back to what matters. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, Avanos is committed to addressing some of today's most important healthcare needs, including providing a vital lifeline for nutrition to patients from hospital to home, and reducing the use of opioids while helping patients move from surgery to recovery. Avanos develops, manufactures and markets its recognized brands globally and holds leading market positions in multiple product categories. For more information, visit www.avanos.com and follow Avanos Medical on X (@AvanosMedical), LinkedIn and Facebook.

*Registered Trademark or Trademark of Avanos Medical, Inc., or its affiliates. © 2018-2026 AVNS. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE Avanos Medical

FAQ

What did CMS decide about Avanos ON-Q and ambIT pumps for 2026 (NYSE: AVNS)?

CMS will continue separate Medicare payment for ON-Q and ambIT infusion pumps under the NOPAIN Act. According to the company, both devices keep brand-specific HCPCS codes and a payment limit of $2,008.72 when medically necessary and used with a covered procedure.

Is Game Ready GRPro 2.1 eligible for separate Medicare payment in 2026 for AVNS?

Yes. Game Ready GRPro 2.1 is eligible for separate Medicare payment starting Jan. 1, 2026. According to the company, CMS assigned HCPCS code C9817 and a payment limit of $1,997.16 when medical necessity criteria are met.

What are the CMS payment limits for Avanos devices under the NOPAIN Act in 2026?

CMS published payment limits of roughly $2,000 per device when medically necessary. According to the company, ON-Q and ambIT are set at $2,008.72 and Game Ready at $1,997.16 when used with a covered surgical procedure.

How does the NOPAIN Act rule affect hospital outpatient and ASC billing for AVNS devices?

Hospitals and ASCs can receive separate Medicare payment for qualifying non-opioid devices used post-surgery. According to the company, facilities using ON-Q, ambIT, or Game Ready will receive separate OPPS/ASC payment in addition to the covered procedure payment when requirements are met.

Why did CMS validate ON-Q, ambIT, and Game Ready for separate payment for AVNS?

CMS validated these devices based on clinical evidence supporting reduced postoperative opioid use and pain/swelling control. According to the company, CMS cited clinical trial evidence and peer-reviewed research as the basis for qualification under the NOPAIN Act.