CMS Proposes Cutting Paperwork So Clinicians Can Focus on Care
Published Date: 11/10/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
CMS is proposing to cut outdated and tricky rules in Medicare and Medicaid to help doctors and nurses spend more time caring for patients instead of paperwork.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!
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Rescind Medicaid institutional payment transparency reporting
CMS proposes to rescind State reporting requirements that required annual, facility-level disclosure of the percentage of Medicaid payments spent on direct care worker compensation and related staff compensation measures. CMS estimates average annual Federal savings of about $68,760 and State savings of about $68,760, and provider savings of about $30.4 million (providers) annually, with corresponding 10-year totals.
Hospitals: Remove OB-specific QAPI rules
CMS proposes to remove obstetrics (OB)-specific Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) requirements for hospitals that offer OB services. The CY 2025 rule had estimated compliance costs for those OB QAPI requirements of $187,985,440 over 10 years (about $18,798,544 annually) and 1,110,900 hours over 10 years; the proposal would eliminate those OB-specific obligations while hospitals must still follow the broader hospital QAPI rules.
Remove recent staff training mandates
CMS proposes to remove recently finalized staff training requirements for transfer protocols, emergency services readiness, and obstetrical (OB) care for hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs). The change would reduce the time and administrative burden on clinical staff and facility managers who would otherwise need to complete those new training obligations.
LTC: Cut ongoing respiratory reporting and COVID vaccine education
For Long Term Care (LTC) facilities, CMS proposes to remove the ongoing (weekly) acute respiratory illness data reporting requirement and to amend Public Health Emergency (PHE) reporting to use the PHE data elements; CMS also proposes to remove requirements to educate staff about COVID-19 vaccines, offer them, and document those actions. These changes reduce recurring reporting and education/documentation duties for LTC facilities.
CAH distance eligibility clarified and updated
CMS proposes to revise Critical Access Hospital (CAH) distance eligibility rules to clarify that determinations are based on proximity to hospitals providing acute inpatient care (including other CAHs) rather than to specialty hospitals. CMS also proposes to implement section 241 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which revises how the statutory distance requirement applies in specified circumstances.
LTC: Exemptions for room/bathroom standards on ownership changes
CMS proposes to exempt existing Long Term Care (LTC) facilities from certain room occupancy and bathroom facility standards when there is a change of ownership (CHOW) or a lapse in and restoration of certification. This would reduce compliance costs tied to facility physical environment requirements in those circumstances.
Remove Ombudsman notice for emergent resident transfers
CMS proposes to remove the requirement that Long Term Care facilities provide Ombudsman notice for resident transfers related to emergent care. This would reduce a notification step currently required when residents are transferred for emergency reasons.
Adopt 2024 Life Safety and Health Care Facility Codes
CMS proposes to adopt the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2024 editions of the Life Safety Code (LSC) and Health Care Facilities Code (HCFC) for multiple provider types, with limited exceptions. CMS estimates this would produce an average annual cost of about $112,000 (approximately $1,120,000 over 10 years), offset by unquantified flexibility savings.
More flexibility for emergency/standby power systems
For hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Emergency Hospitals, and certain Long Term Care facilities, CMS proposes to update requirements to allow additional sources of emergency power and to adopt the 2022 edition of the Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems (ESPS). CMS states these proposals would not result in costs but would provide increased flexibility.
Remove window and door requirements for patient sleeping areas
CMS proposes to remove the regulatory requirement for windows and doors in every patient sleeping area and certain windowsill height requirements for new construction across several provider types and defer to egress requirements in the Life Safety Code. For hospitals and CAHs, CMS proposes removing a 60-inch windowsill requirement for special nursing care areas in new occupancies.
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
2026-22750, 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.
2026-22743, 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.
2026-22792, 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.
2026-22739, 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.
2026-22194, Medicare Program; CY 2027 Changes to the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Dialysis Payment, and ESRD Quality Incentive Program
Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare is updating how it pays for kidney dialysis treatments for people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and those with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). These changes include new payment rates and updated quality rules to make sure patients get the best care. If you’re a dialysis provider or patient, expect some shifts in payments and quality standards that aim to improve treatment and support innovation.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-22833, Television Broadcasting Services Odessa, Texas
Gray Television, the owner of KOSA-TV in Odessa, Texas, wants to switch its broadcast channel from UHF 31 back to VHF 7 because they can’t finish building the new channel on time. This change will let them keep serving viewers without interruption using their current setup. People can share their thoughts by December 9, 2026, so the FCC can decide soon.
Next: 2026-22859, Information Reporting Regarding Qualified Opportunity Zones and Updated Qualified Opportunity Fund Certification and Decertification Procedures; Correction
If you invest in or manage Qualified Opportunity Funds or businesses, these corrected rules clarify how you must report info to the IRS and investors. The changes fix earlier mistakes and keep the reporting deadlines and procedures clear—helping everyone stay on track and avoid penalties. Comments on these rules closed October 26, 2026, so get ready to follow the updated steps to keep your investments smooth and IRS-friendly!