CMS Fixes Minor Glitches in 2026 Medicare Policies

2026-20281, Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing (GLOBE) Model

Starting November 30, 2026, Medicare will use the new GLOBE Model to help lower the cost of certain drugs for people on Original Medicare. This model changes how drug price increases are calculated, aiming to save money for both patients and the Medicare program without cutting care quality. If you’re on Medicare Part B, expect smarter drug pricing that helps keep your healthcare affordable.

2026-20131, Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program; Correction

This correction fixes some technical mistakes in the Medicare payment rules for inpatient rehab facilities starting October 1, 2026. It mainly affects hospitals and rehab centers by clarifying how wage data and payments are calculated, ensuring fairer payment rates for fiscal year 2027. No big changes in money, but it keeps everything accurate and on track.

2026-19959, Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2027; Correction

This correction fixes some technical mistakes in Medicare payment rules for skilled nursing facilities starting October 1, 2026. It mainly affects how hospital data is used to calculate payments, making sure no current hospitals are wrongly excluded. These tweaks help keep Medicare payments fair and accurate for providers and patients.

2026-20067, Medicare Program; FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements; Correction

This correction fixes some technical mistakes in the FY 2027 hospice payment and wage index rules that were first published in August 2026. It mainly affects hospice providers by updating how their payments are calculated, making sure the numbers are accurate starting October 1, 2026. These changes help ensure hospices get the right payment amounts based on the latest hospital wage data.

2026-19946, 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; Correction

This update fixes some typos and technical mistakes in the Medicare payment rules for hospitals starting October 1, 2026. It affects hospitals getting paid for patient care, making sure the payment system and quality programs run smoothly. These corrections help hospitals get the right payments and follow updated health tech standards without delays or confusion.

2026-15686, Medicare Program; FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements

This final rule updates the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for fiscal year 2027. This final rule also includes an analysis of Medicare non-hospice spending, including details regarding a hospice service and spending variation index, and finalizes the requirement that hospices provide the hospice election statement addendum to all Medicare beneficiaries at the time of hospice election. Additionally, this rule finalizes conforming changes to discharge from hospice care regulations and changes to the face-to-face encounter regulations. This final rule also includes a summary of comments received on our 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. Finally, this rule finalizes changes to the Hospice Quality Reporting Program.

Previous: 2025-09692, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of Colorado Hookless Cactus From the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants

Great news! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is officially removing the Colorado hookless cactus from the endangered list because it’s doing much better now. This means fewer rules and protections are needed, saving money and letting nature take its course. The change affects both types of this cactus and shows how smart science helps us celebrate success in protecting plants.

Next: 2025-09697, Rescinding Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Referendum Procedures

The plan to promote and research natural grass sod didn’t get enough votes, so it’s being canceled. This means the rules for voting on this plan are also being scrapped. Grass sod growers and sellers won’t have to pay any new fees or follow new rules, and this change is official right away.