CMS Seeks Comments on Medicaid Paperwork Drudgery
Published Date: 9/25/2026
Notice
Summary
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wants your thoughts on their plan to keep collecting simple, low-burden info about Medicaid and CHIP programs. This helps them improve how they manage state plans, waivers, and reports without causing extra hassle. If you have ideas or concerns, speak up by October 9, 2026—your input can shape smoother healthcare paperwork!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
CHIP plan adds non‑payment assurance
CMS revised the CHIP State Plan Application template (Form CMS-10398 #34, OMB 0938-1148) to add an assurance that the State Medicaid agency does not make payment under the CHIP plan for sex-rejecting procedures for children under the age of 19. This revision is part of the generic information collection; CMS estimates 41 respondents, 112 annual responses, and 448 total annual hours for this template.
Medicaid SPA collects FFP non‑claim assurance for minors
CMS created a new Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) template (Form CMS-10398 #97, OMB 0938-1148) tied to the August 13, 2026 final rule (CMS-2451-F) to collect an assurance that the Medicaid agency does not claim Federal financial participation (FFP) under the plan for sex-rejecting procedures for children under the age of 18. CMS estimates 56 respondents, 56 annual responses, and 168 total annual hours for this template.
Medicaid prior‑authorization timeframes required
CMS issued a new Medicaid SPA template (Form CMS-10398 #102, OMB 0938-1148) to simplify state submissions that add assurances required by the January 17, 2024 Interoperability and Prior Authorization final rule (CMS-0057-F). That rule introduced decision timeframes for prior authorization requests and requirements for how State Medicaid agencies must notify providers of those decisions; CMS estimates 56 respondents, 56 annual responses, and 280 total annual hours for this template.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-22812, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Cutting Administrative Requirements for Excellence in Patient Care
CMS is proposing to cut outdated and tricky rules in Medicare and Medicaid to help doctors and nurses spend more time caring for patients instead of paperwork. These changes aim to save money, boost flexibility, and make healthcare better and easier to manage. Comments on this plan are open until January 11, 2027, so everyone affected can share their thoughts!
2026-22750, 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
Starting in 2027, Medicare is updating how it pays home health agencies, including new payment rates and rules to make care better and fairer. Home health providers, equipment suppliers, and Medicare enrollees will see changes in payment methods, quality reporting, and equipment rules, with some new deadlines and expanded benefits. These updates aim to improve care quality while keeping payments clear and fair.
2026-22792, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program
Starting in 2029, Medicare will negotiate drug prices to help lower costs for people using Medicare Part D. This new rule, effective December 5, 2026, sets clear policies to make prescription drugs more affordable and fair. If you or a loved one uses Medicare for prescriptions, expect some savings and changes in how drug prices are set.
2026-22743, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 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
Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare and Medicaid are updating how doctors and clinics get paid to better match real medical work and new laws. This includes new rules for drug price rebates, sharing savings programs, and payment updates for rural clinics and ambulance services. These changes affect doctors, patients, and healthcare providers, aiming to keep care fair, affordable, and up-to-date.
2026-22739, 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
Starting in 2027, Medicare is updating how hospitals and surgery centers get paid for outpatient care and surgeries. These changes affect hospitals, surgery centers, and patients by adjusting payment rates and improving quality reporting. Plus, CMS is asking for ideas to make hospital price info clearer and easier to compare, while also handling rules about emergency care and teaching hospital closures.
2026-22381, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Organ Procurement Organizations Conditions for Coverage: Revisions to the Conditions for Coverage
This new rule updates how Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) operate to help get more life-saving organs to people who need transplants. It changes some definitions, competition rules, and appeal processes to make OPOs work better and be held accountable. These changes start January 4, 2027, and aim to save more lives without adding extra costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-19706, Draft NIH Policy on Sharing Summary Level Study Results With Clinical Research Participants
The NIH wants to make it easier for people who join clinical studies to get simple summaries of the study results. This new policy aims to boost trust and teamwork between researchers and participants, helping science move faster and better. They’re asking for your thoughts by October 26, 2026, so get ready to share your ideas!
Next: 2026-19715, Sunshine Act Meetings
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is sharing its public meeting schedule from late September to early November 2026, with some weeks having no meetings. These meetings are open to everyone and can be attended in person or online, with accommodations available for disabilities. This update helps the public stay in the loop about important NRC activities without any cost changes or delays.