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Rural Health
News by Topic: Health insurance

Sep 18, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announcing changes to the TRICARE program benefits for calendar year 2027. Outlines annual changes, new and expanded benefits, demonstration programs, pharmacy out-of-pocket expenses for CY 2027, and more. This TRICARE Health Plan information is applicable to services beginning January 1, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 17, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces the approval of DNV Healthcare USA Inc. (DNV) as a national accrediting organization for hospitals that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is applicable from September 26, 2026, through September 26, 2032.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 16, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announcing the annual adjustment in the amount in controversy (AIC) threshold amounts for Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings and judicial review under the Medicare appeals process. The calendar year 2027 AIC threshold amounts are $200 for ALJ hearings and $2,000 for judicial review. These adjustments will be effective on January 1, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 16, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the second biannual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II public meeting of 2026 on November 2-3, 2026. The meeting will include discussions on the CMS preliminary coding, Medicare benefit category, and Medicare payment determinations for new revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II code set. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the CMS website. Registration is required for in-person attendees by October 19, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 14, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Provider Experience of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) Program; 2) Use Agreement (DUA) Limited Data Set (LDS) Forms Research Identifiable Files (RIF) Forms; and 3) Methods for Assuring Access to Covered Medicaid Services Under 42 CFR 447.203 and 447.204. Comments are due by November 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 8, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing a virtual town hall meeting to be held on December 9-10, 2026, to discuss FY 2028 applications for add-on payments for new medical services and technologies under the Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). Information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the New Technology website. The deadline to register to present at the meeting is November 2, 2026. Written comments and agenda items for discussion at the meeting are due by November 12, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 1, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Survey of Retail Prices; 2) Basic Health Program (BHP) Supporting Regulations; and 3) Solicitation for Applications for Medicare Prescription Drug Plan 2028 Contracts. Comments are due by November 2, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 28, 2026 - Notice from the Office of Personnel Management; Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of the Treasury; Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Department of Labor (DOL); and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) correcting typographical errors and omissions in the June 4, 2026, final rule. The corrections are applicable on August 3, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 26, 2026 - Highlights the agenda for MedPAC meetings in 2026-2027. Topics to be discussed include Medicare Part D spending, the enrollment process, quality measurement and value-based payment programs, cost-sharing liability for Rural Health Clinics, the impact of converting a hospital to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status, reimbursement rates including for REHs, and Medicare Advantage (MA). Offers recommendations for engaging with the group and information on scheduled publications.
Source: MedPAC News
Aug 13, 2026 - Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) prohibiting the use of Medicaid funds for procedures identified as gender-affirming care for children under 18. Additionally, the rule prohibits the use of federal Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funds for procedures identified as gender-affirming care for children under 19. This rule is effective October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register