Rural Healthcare Payment and Reimbursement – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Feb 11, 2026 - An evaluation of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, describing changes intended to improve care quality, increase access to preventive services, and address local community health needs.
Source: Heath Affairs
IHS: Reimbursement Rates for Calendar Year 2026
Federal Register
Jan 22, 2026 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) announcing the calendar year 2026 reimbursement rates for inpatient and outpatient medical care provided by IHS facilities to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal program beneficiaries. The updated rates apply to all qualifying services provided on or after January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 9, 2026 - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is accepting nominations for appointment to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) by February 6, 2026. Appointments are effective May 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 7, 2026 - The Quality Payment Program is seeking feedback from the general public on the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Value Pathway (MVP) candidates for 2027. Feedback will be reviewed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for consideration in future rulemaking. Comments are due February 6, 2026.
Source: Quality Payment Program, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CMS: Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing (GLOBE) Model
Federal Register
Dec 23, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a proposed rule implementing the Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing Model ("GLOBE Model"), a new Medicare payment model under section 1115A of the Social Security Act. The GLOBE Model would test whether a payment model that uses an alternative method for calculating Part B inflation rebate amounts for certain separately payable Part B drugs and biological products reduces costs for Medicare fee-for service (FFS) beneficiaries and the Medicare program while preserving quality of care. Comments are due by February 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Guarding U.S. Medicare Against Rising Drug Costs (GUARD) Model
Federal Register
Dec 23, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a proposed rule implementing the Guarding U.S. Medicare Against Rising Drug Costs (GUARD) Model to test a new Medicare payment model under section 1115A of the Social Security Act. The model proposes a test of an alternative payment method for calculating inflation rebates for certain Part D drugs and biological products. The proposed GUARD Model would test whether changing the calculation of the Part D inflation rebate would reduce costs for the Medicare program while preserving or enhancing quality of care for Part D enrollees. Comments are due by February 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Last Updated: 2/11/2026