CMS’s ACCESS model adds an Aug. 17 start date. What Medicare patients should know
CMS’s ACCESS model adds a participant start date on August 17, but availability, costs and results still depend on providers, location and track.
Medicare
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Northern Louisiana Medical Center still faces an August 30 Medicare deadline after follow-up inspection
Northern Louisiana Medical Center reduced its alleged deficiencies from 24 to 14 in a July follow-up, but regulators had not publicly confirmed full compliance 16 days before the hospital’s stated August 30 Medicare deadline.
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CMS posts proposed 2027 Medicare payment rule for hospitals and surgery centers
The proposed rule covers 2027 Medicare payments for hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers, as well as quality reporting, star ratings and hospital price transparency.
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Three Companies and Executives Agree to Pay $36.4 Million Over Genetic-Testing Billing Allegations
Access DX Laboratory, former CEO Michael Stewart and Florida businessman Harold Shatz reached settlements with the United States over alleged kickbacks and medically unnecessary genetic testing billed to Medicare and Medicaid.
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CMS Begins Medicare GLP-1 Bridge With $50 Monthly Access for Eligible Beneficiaries
A new CMS demonstration began July 1, 2026, offering eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries certain GLP-1 medications for $50 per monthly supply through the end of 2027.
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CMS opens comment period on permanent Medicare drug-negotiation framework
CMS proposed long-term rules for negotiating and renegotiating prices for high-cost, single-source Medicare drugs beginning in 2029. Comments are due Aug. 17, 2026.
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CMS proposes Medicare outpatient-payment changes to reduce site-of-care cost differences
The proposed changes would affect Medicare payments to hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers beginning in calendar year 2027, but rates are not final.
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2026 trustees summary keeps pressure on Social Security and Medicare finances
A new federal trustees summary projects that combined Social Security and Medicare costs will rise from about 5.3% of GDP in 2026 to approximately 6.9% in 2084 before easing to about 6.7%.
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CMS proposes broad Medicare payment and accountable-care overhaul
The proposed changes would make accountable-care organizations easier to join and shift clinicians away from traditional MIPS reporting. Comments are due Sept. 14, 2026.
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CBO Projects $33.6 Trillion in Health Insurance Subsidies by 2036
CBO projects $33.6 trillion in federal health insurance subsidies through 2036, while the uninsured population rises from 30 million to 37 million.
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CMS Proposes Medicare Oversight and Home-Health Payment Changes
CMS proposes broader Medicare enrollment enforcement and a projected 2.4% aggregate home-health payment increase for 2027. Comments are due August 31.
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Medicare’s $50 GLP-1 Bridge: Who Qualifies and What It Excludes
CMS’s temporary Medicare GLP-1 Bridge offers selected beneficiaries a $50 monthly route to certain weight-loss drugs, but strict eligibility limits apply.
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CMS will use shorter surveys for some nursing homes starting Sept. 8
CMS will begin shorter routine surveys for some high-performing nursing homes on September 8, but complaints and safety concerns can still trigger traditional inspections.
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CMS proposes Medicare payment changes that could shift costs and care
CMS’s proposed 2027 Medicare rule could lower some outpatient costs while changing payments for hospitals, surgery centers and 340B drugs.
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Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Ends After 2026
CMS will end a temporary Medicare Part D premium stabilization program after 2026. Some seniors could pay more in 2027, but final plan prices come in September.
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CMS Will End Part D Premium Stabilization After 2026
CMS will end a temporary premium stabilization program for stand-alone Medicare Part D plans after 2026. Final 2027 plan premiums are expected in September.
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Medicare’s New ACCESS Program Offers Low-Cost Chronic-Care Support, but Only to Original Medicare Enrollees
CMS’s new ACCESS pilot offers some Original Medicare patients technology-supported chronic-care help, but costs, eligibility and local availability vary.
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Medicare GLP-1 bridge starts with $50 copay and tight eligibility rules
CMS has launched a temporary national Medicare program that offers some eligible Part D beneficiaries GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for $50 a month.
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DOJ’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown: 455 Charged, $6.5B Alleged Fraud
United States Federal Policy and Agency Actions – On June 23, 2026, DOJ announced charges against 455 defendants, alleging $6.5B+ in false claims for fraud and opioids.
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CMS proposes lower Medicare payments for 340B drugs at hospital outpatient departments
CMS proposed a 2027 Medicare rule that would reduce payments for certain 340B-acquired drugs at hospital outpatient departments, with the agency saying the change could lower costs for some beneficiaries if finalized.
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Dallas division at center of North Texas health-care fraud sweep
Federal prosecutors charged 13 North Texas defendants in seven cases, with most in the Dallas division, as part of a June 23 fraud sweep.
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DOJ health-care fraud sweep: 455 charged, $6.5B in alleged false claims
DOJ says its 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown charged 455 defendants tied to more than $6.5B in alleged false claims. The rollout is continuing.