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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare business and finance

Nov 20, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Bid Pricing Tool (BPT) for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP); 2) Data Request and Attestation for PDP Sponsors; 3) Cooperative Agreement to Support Navigators in Federally-facilitated Exchanges and State Partnership Exchanges; 4) Data Collection to Support Eligibility Determinations for Small Businesses in the Small Business Health Options Program; and 5) State-based Exchange Annual Reporting Tool (SMART). Comments are due by January 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 20, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Agent/Broker Data Collection in Federally-facilitated Health Insurance Exchanges" which reinstates a previously approved information collection expanding the role of agents/brokers by permitting them to enroll qualified individuals or small employers/employees in qualified health plans through the Exchanges, and assist individuals in applying for Advance Premium Tax Credits and Cost Sharing Reductions. To participate as facilitators to enrollment, agents/brokers must register with the federally-facilitated exchanges, complete a training course covering eligibility and enrollment criteria for assisting in enrollment, and sign agreements that formalize their understanding and commitment to adhere to the rules of the program. Comments are due December 22, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 20, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Hospital Wage Index Occupational Mix Survey; 2) Medicare Enrollment Application—Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Suppliers; 3) Recognition of Pass-Through Payment for Additional (New) Categories of Devices under the Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Supporting Regulations; and 4) Registration, Attestation, Dispute Resolution and Correction, Assumptions Document and Data Retention Requirements for Open Payments. Comments are due December 22, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Methods for Assuring Access to Covered Medicaid Services Under 42 CFR 447.203 and 447.204." CMS will use the information to monitor ongoing compliance with section 1902(a)(30)(A) of the Social Security Act, and to make informed approval decisions on State plan amendments that propose to make Medicaid rate reductions or restructure payment rates. Beneficiaries, providers, and other affected stakeholders may use the information to raise access issues to state Medicaid agencies and work with agencies to address those issues. Comments are due by January 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a virtual public meeting on December 17, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Eastern to discuss CMS preliminary coding, Medicare benefit category, and Medicare payment determinations, if applicable, for new revisions to the HCPCS Level II code set for non-drug and non-biological items and services. If all of the agenda items are not addressed on December 17, 2025, a subsequent virtual session will be held on December 18, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. All individuals who plan to speak must register by December 3, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making corrections to the March 6, 2024, notice to add urinalysis to the list of specialties and subspecialties. This correction is effective November 19, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the inpatient hospital deductible and coinsurance amounts for hospital and extended care services provided during calendar year 2026 under Medicare's Hospital Insurance Program (Medicare Part A). These rates are effective on January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing Medicare's Hospital Insurance (Part A) premium for uninsured enrollees in calendar year (CY) 2026. The premium is paid by enrollees aged 65 and over who are not otherwise eligible for Part A benefits and by certain disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement. This premium is effective on January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the monthly actuarial rates for beneficiaries enrolled in Part B of the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) program beginning January 1, 2026. It also announces the monthly premium, the deductible for 2026, and income-related monthly adjustment amounts for beneficiaries with modified adjusted gross income above certain threshold amounts. These rates are effective on January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has waived a rule regarding rural rates for applicants of the Telecommunications Program of the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program for funding year 2026. Offers guidance on calculating rates.
Source: Universal Service Administrative Co.