MATCH IT Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced
Summary
Standardized patient matching would be created across federal health IT programs to make it easier to link the right records to the right person. The bill focuses on a uniform patient match definition, a minimum USCDI data set, and voluntary Medicare incentives.
Show full summary
- Providers and health IT developers would adopt a minimum data set added to the US Core Data for Interoperability to support patient matching, targeting a 99.9% adoption rate for certified technology.
- Medicare clinicians could earn a voluntary bonus in the Promoting Interoperability Program by attesting to an accurate patient match rate of at least 90% or a rate set by annual review. Attestations would be optional, not publicly disclosed, and would not lower other incentive scores.
- Aims to reduce patient misidentification, duplicate or overlaid records, and privacy risks to improve safety and care coordination.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Patient matching rules for providers
If enacted, HHS would set a national definition and standards for accurate patient matching within 180 days. ONC would pick a minimum set of patient data and add standards into USCDI within 1 year. The data set would aim for 99.9% adoption of those elements. That would not force any entity to achieve a 99.9% patient match rate. Health IT certification would adopt the set within 180 days after finalization, and Medicare interoperability rules would incorporate it within two years. CMS would add a voluntary Promoting Interoperability bonus within two years after Medicare adopts the set. Providers who attest to at least a 90% match rate would be eligible for a payment adjustment. Attestations would be voluntary, private, and would not hurt other incentive scores. ONC would run a voluntary anonymous reporting program for matching accuracy. CMS would review attestation data every year and could change the target to encourage reporting. HHS would review and update the matching standards at least every 3 years.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
VA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]
IN • R
Sponsored 8/5/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov