Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Medicare - Rural Health Information Hub

CMS: Medicare Program; Alternative Payment Model (APM) Incentive Payment Advisory for Clinicians-Request for Current Billing Information for Qualifying APM Participants

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Advisory notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to alert certain clinicians who are Qualifying APM participants (QPs) and have earned an Alternative Payment Model (APM) Incentive Payment that CMS does not have the current information needed to disburse the payment. Provides information to QPs on how to update their Medicare billing information so that CMS can disburse payments. All information should be sent to CMS by October 13, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requesting comments on an information collection titled "Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Agreement" regarding electronic collection and verification of payment information for Medicare providers/suppliers. Comments are due October 13, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program: Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device Coverage Pathway

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting comments on the process used to accelerate Medicare coverage through the Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device (RAPID) coverage pathway for new technologies. The RAPID coverage pathway will provide accelerated Medicare beneficiary access to certain eligible Class II and Class III Food and Drug Administration Breakthrough-designated Devices. Comments are due October 13, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals (IPPS) and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; Other Policy Changes; and Adoption of Updated Versions of Certain Health Information Technology Standards

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) for operating and capital-related costs of acute care hospitals for fiscal year 2027. This rule also makes changes to Medicare graduate medical education (GME) for teaching hospitals; payment policies and the annual payment rates for the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for inpatient hospital services provided by long-term care hospitals; and requirements for certain quality programs, among other things. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) also adopts certain health information technology (health IT) standards and specifications on behalf of HHS. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the prospective payment system (PPS) rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for fiscal year 2027. Among other things, this rule includes classification and weighting factors for the IRF prospective payment system's case-mix groups, finalizes the third and final year of the 3-year phase-out of the rural adjustments, and updates the IRF Quality Reporting Program and changes to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. This rule also summarizes comments received in response to requests for information regarding alternative data sources for the IRF PPS wage index and potential future IRF PPS payment reform. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for fiscal year 2027. Among other things, this rule finalizes conforming regulation text changes to discharge from hospice care regulations and the face-to-face encounter regulations. This rule also summarizes comments received in response to requests for information regarding community-based palliative care; the construction of a hospice-specific wage index; and the overlap between hospice and medical aid in dying laws. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2027 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System-Rate Update

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the FY 2027 prospective payment rates, outlier threshold, and wage index for Medicare Inpatient Hospital Services provided by inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPF), including psychiatric hospitals and excluded psychiatric units of an acute care hospital or Critical Access Hospital. Among other things, this rule also refines the IPF PPS outlier policy, implements a standardized IPF patient assessment, and removes two measures used in the IPF Quality Reporting Program. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2027

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) payment rates for fiscal year 2027. This rule also updates the requirements for the SNF Quality Reporting Program and the SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program; Updates to the Master List of Items Potentially Subject to Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery and/or Prior Authorization Requirements; Updates to the Required Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery List; and Updates to the Required Prior Authorization List

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing updates to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes on the Master List, as well as HCPCS codes on the Required Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery List and the Required Prior Authorization List. These updates, excluding prior authorization requirements for upper limb orthoses, are effective October 28, 2026. Prior authorization requirements for upper limb orthoses will be implemented in three phases, and will be effective in all states and territories on April 26, 2027.

CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances-April Through June 2026

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Quarterly listing of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and Federal Register notices published from April through June 2026, including contact information for general questions or additional information about specific sections.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey and 2) Beneficiary and Family Centered Data Collection. Comments are due by August 24, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Transaction Facilitator under Sections 11001 and 11002 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and 2) Collection of Prescription Drug Event Data from Contracted Part D Providers for Payment. Comments are due by September 22, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Transformed—Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) and 2) the In-Center Hemodialysis Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey Mode Experiment. Comments are due by September 21, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Application To Be a Qualified Entity to Receive Medicare Data for Performance Measurement/Reapplication/Annual Report Worksheet, and 2) Good Cause Processes. Comments are due by August 17, 2026.

CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Calendar Year 2027 Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing: 1) changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) policies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; 3) the Ambulatory Specialty Model; 4) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B; 5) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 6) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 7) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 8) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 9) codification of the Inflation Reduction Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 provisions; 10) updates to Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule regulations; and 11) updates to the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program. Comments are due on September 14, 2026.

CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application From The Joint Commission for Continued CMS Approval of Its Home Health Agency (HHA) Accreditation Program

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces the approval of The Joint Commission for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for home health agencies that wish to participate in Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is effective March 31, 2026, through June March 31, 2032.

CMS: Medicare Program; Announcement of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment Meeting-August 24, 2026

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a virtual meeting of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment on August 24, 2026. The purpose of the Panel is to advise the Secretary on the clinical integrity of the Ambulatory Payment Classification groups and their associated weights, which are major elements of the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and the Ambulatory Surgical Center payment system, and supervision of hospital outpatient therapeutic services. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the Panel's website. Presentations and comment letters are due by July 31, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems; and Quality Reporting Programs; Including the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Program; Request for Information on Strengthening the Standardization and Comparability of Hospital Price Transparency (HPT) Data; Prior Authorization; Accrediting Organization (AO) Deeming for Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA); and Notices of Closure of Teaching Hospitals and Opportunities To Apply for Available Slots

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes to the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) payment system for calendar year 2027, including changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the payment rates for Medicare services paid under the OPPS and those paid under the ASC payment systems. Among other things, this rule also proposes updates related to the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting Program; requests information regarding potential approaches to improve comparability and standardization of the HPT information reported in machine-readable files and consumer-friendly displays, particularly for complex contracting methodologies; and announces notices of closure of teaching hospitals and opportunities to apply for available slots. Comments are due by August 31, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Rural Health Transformation Program Reporting and 2) Medicare Part C and Part D Program Audit and Industry-Wide Part C Timeliness Monitoring Project (TMP) Protocols. Comments are due by August 5, 2026.

CMS: Calendar Year 2027 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Rate Update; Requirements for the HH Quality Reporting Program and the Expanded HH Value-Based Purchasing Model; Medicare Provider Enrollment, Durable Medical Equipment (DME), and DME, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Policies

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the home health payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2027. This rule also proposes changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) and summarizes potential initiatives to improve alignment between the HH QRP and the expanded Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model requirements. Among other things, this proposed rule discusses the provision of home health palliative care services and includes a request for information (RFI) on a home health specific wage index. Comments are due by August 31, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Submissions of Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) Waiver Submission and Data Collection; 2) Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Regulations; and 3) Granting and Withdrawal of Deeming Authority to Private Nonprofit Accreditation Organizations and CLIA Exemption Under State Laboratory Programs. Comments are due by August 3, 2026.

What Are the Top Threats Rural Hospitals Face for Survival?

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights common rural hospital healthcare delivery challenges as identified by Wisconsin hospital CEOs. Discusses nursing workforce shortages, employee burnout, reimbursement rates, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, home health, Medicare Advantage, and maintaining inpatient care access.

CMS: Medicare Program; CY 2027 Changes to the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System, Acute Kidney Injury Dialysis (AKI) Payment, and ESRD Quality Incentive Program

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2027 and proposing updates to the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). Among other things, this rule also proposes updated requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program and includes requests for information (RFI) to inform future policies related to increasing home dialysis uptake, improving palliative dialysis, and supporting alternative dialysis schedules. Comments are due by August 24, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Submission of 1135 Waiver Request Automated Process." CMS aims to better support emergency response by capturing the emergency date, simplifying ongoing status updates for stakeholders, and providing a more comprehensive view of cybersecurity incidents through expanded reporting on patient and operational impacts. The Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) initiative was codified in the Consolidate Appropriations Act, 2025, and is no longer part of the 1135 waiver information collection request. Comments are due by July 20, 2026.