Communications

(Oct. 9, 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:

• Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics Orthotics and Suppies Competitive Bidding Program: Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028
• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Finalizes New Mandatory Drug Payment Model to Deliver Lower Drug Prices for Beneficiaries in Original Medicare Part B
• New Regulations Make It Easier to Find, Compare and Report Health Care Pricing and Coverage Information
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Eligibility Transaction System: Verify Email by Dec. 1 to Avoid Rejected Eligibility Requests
• Quality Payment Program: 2027 Virtual Group Election Period – Submit by Dec. 31

CMS Finalizes Transparency in Coverage Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a final rule to "improve the accessibility of pricing disclosures to participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees, and the standardization and reliability of the public pricing disclosures from non-grandfathered group health plans and health insurance issuers." The rule is intended to improve standardization, accuracy and accessibility of in-network rates and out-of-network allowed amounts, improve data availability, reduce stakeholder burden and provide a cost-sharing tool to help enrollees obtain out-of-pocket costs.

CMS Issues Medicare FY 2027 Payment and Policy Correction Notices
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued fiscal year 2027 Medicare payment and policy correction notices for selected prospective payment systems. The correction notice results from two hospitals in Mississippi and Ohio that were incorrectly classified.

• Inpatient and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System
• Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
• Skilled Nursing Facility PPS
• Inpatient Psychiatric Facility PPS
• Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility PPS

CMS Finalizes New Mandatory Drug Payment Model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a final rule to address address the increasingly expensive cost of drugs in Original Medicare Part B while preserving or improving Medicare beneficiaries' quality of care.

The Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing Model is designed to test whether a new rebate formula for certain drugs in the Medicare Part B Drug Inflation Rebate Program will reduce costs for Original Medicare beneficiaries while preserving quality of care. The GLOBE Model will use an alternative method to calculate Medicare Part B drug inflation rebate amounts, thereby reducing patients' out-of-pocket costs. The GLOBE Model will begin Jan. 1, 2027, and end March 31, 2032.