Insurance News
Regulatory updates in plain English
Stay current with the latest from CMS, state departments of insurance, NAIC, the Federal Register, and Congress — rewritten so you can actually understand what it means for your practice.
Coming Soon: CMS to Provide $50 Monthly Access to GLP-1 Medications for Medicare Beneficiaries
Starting July 1, 2026, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access certain GLP-1 medications for just $50 a month. This program, called the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, will run until December 31, 2027, and aims to make these important weight-loss treatments more affordable for seniors. Eligible individ...
Medicare.gov Enhanced Log In
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced new login options for Medicare.gov. This change allows Medicare users to manage their health care information more easily and securely. Users can access general Medicare information without an account, but if they choose to create one...
2026 Medicare Accountable Care Organization Initiatives Participation Highlights
In 2026, Medicare is increasing participation in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), which are groups of doctors and healthcare providers working together to improve patient care while managing costs. This change aims to provide better health outcomes for millions of older Americans by ensuring t...
CMS Announces Manufacturer Participation in Third Cycle of Medicare Drug Price Negotiation
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that drug manufacturers will participate in the third round of negotiations for Medicare drug prices. This change affects pharmaceutical companies that provide medications covered under Medicare. Agents should stay informed about these...
CMS Announces Manufacturer Participation in Third Cycle of Medicare Drug Price Negotiation
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that drug companies are participating in the third round of negotiations for Medicare drug prices. This affects 15 specific high-cost drugs that are covered under Medicare Part B and Part D. These negotiations aim to lower the prices o...
Medicare.gov Enhanced Log In
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced new login options for Medicare.gov that enhance security for users. People with Medicare can now create an account or verify their identity using services like ID.me, CLEAR®, and Login.gov, which provide extra protection against fraud...
2026 Medicare Accountable Care Organization Initiatives Participation Highlights
Starting January 2026, more Medicare beneficiaries will receive care through Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), increasing from 13.7 million to 14.3 million. ACOs are groups of healthcare providers that work together to deliver better coordinated care, which helps improve health outcomes and red...
CMS Finalizes 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Payment Policies that Strengthen Accountability and Long-Term Sustainability
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced new payment policies for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D for the year 2027. These changes will increase payments to MA plans by an average of 2.48%, totaling over $13 billion. The goal is to improve payment accuracy and ensure that...
2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new payment rates for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans for the year 2027. These changes will increase payments to MA plans by about 2.48%, which is over $13 billion in total. This increase is based on various factors, including cha...
Contract Year 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced changes to the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs for the year 2027. These updates aim to enhance the quality of care for beneficiaries by revising the Star Ratings system, which helps people compare health and drug plans. Notably,...
Medicare Beneficiaries to See Simpler and More Flexible Plan Choices, Better Drug Coverage, Higher Quality and Lower Costs in 2027
Starting in 2027, Medicare beneficiaries will have simpler and more flexible options for their health plans. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is making it easier to understand and compare Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans. These changes aim to improve the quality of ca...
Fiscal Year 2027 Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule (CMS-1847-P)
On April 2, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed updates to how Medicare pays for Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities (IPFs) starting in fiscal year 2027. The proposed changes include a 2.3% increase in payment rates, adjustments to outlier payments, and the removal of two ...
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances-January through March 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have released a quarterly update that includes new instructions and regulations for Medicare and Medicaid programs. This update covers changes made from January to March 2026. Insurance agents should review this information to stay informed about th...
Medicare Program; Public Meeting for New Revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II Coding
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is holding a public meeting to discuss updates to the coding system used for Medicare services. This meeting will focus on new codes for items and services that are not drugs or biological products. Insurance agents should register for the meeting t...
Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Interoperability Standards and Prior Authorization for Drugs for Medicare Advantage Organizations, Medicaid Managed Care Plans, State Medicaid Agencies, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Agencies and CHIP Managed Care Entities, and Issuers of Qualified Health Plans on the Federally-Facilitated Exchanges
New rules are being proposed to improve how health care data is shared electronically, which will affect Medicare Advantage organizations, Medicaid plans, and health insurance issuers on federal exchanges. These changes aim to make it easier for doctors and patients to get approvals for medications ...
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; and Other Policy Changes
The proposed rule changes how Medicare pays for services at acute care hospitals and long-term care hospitals. It will adjust payment rates and policies for hospital services, including those related to medical education for teaching hospitals. Additionally, there will be updates to quality program ...
Medicare Program; FY 2027 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System-Rate Update
The Medicare program is planning to update payment rates for inpatient psychiatric facilities, which include psychiatric hospitals and certain units within general hospitals. These changes will affect services provided from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. Additionally, there will be a new pa...
Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2027
The Medicare program is proposing changes to payment rates and policies for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) for the fiscal year 2027. This includes updates to the Quality Reporting Program and the Value-Based Purchasing Program for SNFs. Insurance agents should stay informed about these changes as...