Rural Hospitals Keep Accreditation Approval Smoothly

2026-07205, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Interoperability Standards and Prior Authorization for Drugs for Medicare Advantage Organizations, Medicaid Managed Care Plans, State Medicaid Agencies, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Agencies and CHIP Managed Care Entities, and Issuers of Qualified Health Plans on the Federally-Facilitated Exchanges

Starting soon, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CHIP, and health plans on federal exchanges will need to use better tech to share health info and speed up drug approval requests. This means less waiting and smoother care for patients, while plans and agencies will update their systems to meet new rules. These changes aim to save time and money by making health data work together more easily, with deadlines coming in the next couple of years.

2026-06600, Medicare Program; Contract Year 2027 and Certain Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, and Medicare Cost Plan Program

Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug, and Cost Plan programs are getting some fresh updates! These changes improve how plans are rated, marketed, and how drugs are covered, making it easier and better for millions of Medicare users. The new rules kick in June 1, 2026, so plans can get ready to serve you smarter and smoother next year.

2026-04797, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2026 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; Correction

This document fixes some typos and technical mistakes in the big Medicare and Medicaid payment rules for 2026. It affects doctors, healthcare providers, and anyone using Medicare Part B by making sure payment and coverage details are clear and correct starting January 1, 2026. These corrections help keep payments fair and accurate without changing the original money amounts or deadlines.

2026-04467, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program; Correction

This correction fixes some missing labels in important tables from the 2027 health insurance rules under the Affordable Care Act. It mainly affects insurance companies and people using marketplace plans by clarifying how risk and payments are calculated. These fixes take effect right away on March 6, 2026, ensuring everyone has clear info for next year's coverage and costs.

2025-23081, Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program; Correction

This correction fixes some math and typo mistakes in the Medicare payment rules for inpatient rehab facilities starting October 1, 2025. It mainly affects rehab centers by updating their payment rates and quality reporting details to be fair and accurate. These changes ensure providers get the right money and info for the 2026 fiscal year.

2025-22543, Medicare Program; Alternative Payment Model Updates and the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model

Medicare is updating its payment plans to help more people get organ transplants through the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model starting in Performance Year 2. These changes affect hospitals and doctors who work with Medicare patients needing transplants, aiming to improve care and save lives. Comments on the proposed rule are open until February 9, 2026, so stakeholders can share their thoughts before it’s finalized.

Previous: 2026-06498, In the Matter of NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC; Central Iowa Power Cooperative; Corn Belt Power Cooperative; Duane Arnold Energy Center; Direct Transfer of Licenses

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC to take full ownership of the Duane Arnold Energy Center by buying out two other owners. This means NextEra now controls the nuclear plant and its spent fuel storage, with official paperwork updated to show the change. The order took effect on March 30, 2026, and lasts for one year, with no new costs announced.

Next: 2026-06500, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Approval of Application by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care Inc. (ACHC) for Continued CMS-Approval of its Hospice Accreditation Program

The Accreditation Commission for Health Care Inc. (ACHC) just got the green light to keep accrediting hospice programs that want to work with Medicare and Medicaid from November 27, 2025, to November 27, 2031. This means hospices can keep using ACHC’s stamp of approval instead of state surveys to join or stay in these programs. It’s a smooth win for hospices, patients, and the government, keeping quality care on track without extra hassle or cost.