Communications

(Sept. 18, 2026) – MLN Connects Provider eNews from the Medicare Learning Network
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates in the MLN Connects Provider eNews:

• CMS Adds Medicare Options to Help People Manage Substance Use Disorder, Heart Failure and Other Common Chronic Conditions
• Nearly $17M to Adopt Emerging Health Care Technologies and Improve Patient Transportation Between Facilities
• Mandatory Ambulatory Specialty Model Final Participants
• Skilled Nursing Facilities: Download Your FY 2025 PEPPER
• Care Compare: Get CY 2024 Quality Payment Program Performance Information
  

UnitedHealthcare Eliminates Prior Authorization Requirements for 1,700 Services
UnitedHealthcare released a list of approximately 1,700 procedure codes that will be exempt from prior authorization requirements beginning Thursday, Oct. 1. The change applies to commercial, Medicare Advantage, individual marketplace and certain Medicaid plans. The elimination of prior authorization requirements for these services is part of UnitedHealthcare's broader commitment to reduce prior authorization requirements by 30 percent before the end of 2026.

MedPAC Shares Analysis of Health Care and Medicare Spending
MedPAC released a summary of an analysis of health care spending and trends in Medicare expenditures. Key findings include:

• Medicare spends approximately 14 percent more for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries than for comparable fee-for-service beneficiaries, resulting in approximately $76 billion in additional Medicare spending in 2026.
• National health care spending reached $5.3 trillion, or 18 percent of the gross domestic product, in 2024, while Medicare spending totaled approximately $1.1 trillion.
• Since 2009, spending on Part B clinician-administered drugs in nonfacilities has grown the fastest.
• Assertions were made that consolidation leads to higher payment rates and spending.