Medicare Fixes Missing Link for Clinician Incentive Payments

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.

2026-15652, Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program

This final rule updates the prospective payment rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2027. As required by statute, this final rule includes the classification and weighting factors for the IRF prospective payment system's (PPS) case-mix groups and a description of the methodologies and data used in computing the prospective payment rates for FY 2027. It also finalizes the third and final of the 3-year phaseout of the rural adjustment, which began in FY 2025. This final rule includes a solicitation for public comments on alternative data sources for the IRF PPS wage index; requires all therapy treatments and/or therapy evaluations to begin no later than 36 hours from midnight on the day of admission; finalizes requirements for the initial Interdisciplinary Team meeting to occur on or before 4 days from the date the patient is admitted; and summarizes a request for information on potential future IRF PPS payment reform. Additionally, this final rule includes updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program and changes to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program.

Previous: 2026-20333, Public Hearing

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is hosting a public hearing on October 28, 2026, where folks can speak up about water projects, a new Access to Records Policy, and a draft fee schedule. This is the only chance to give oral comments before the Commission decides in December. Written comments are due by November 9, so don’t miss your shot to weigh in on water use and fees that could affect local communities and businesses.

Next: 2026-20337, Agency Information Collection Activities; General

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement wants to renew a paperwork form that companies and people involved in offshore safety must fill out. They’re asking for public comments by December 4, 2026, to make sure the forms aren’t too much work and still get the job done. This renewal won’t cost extra but helps keep safety info up to date and easy to handle.