Showing 1 - 10 of 236 results

Policy Snapshot

February 3, 2026

Congress Ends Shutdown, Extends Key Telehealth Waivers for Two Years

Congress has passed a $1.2 trillion funding package that ends the latest government shutdown and keeps most federal agencies funded through September. The bill includes a two-year extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027, maintaining expanded coverage for virtual care, inclu...
Policy Snapshot

February 2, 2026

CMS Releases Updates to State Operations Manual

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced updates to the State Operations Manual (SOM), introducing revised and clarified guidance to strengthen survey and enforcement processes.
Policy Snapshot

January 26, 2026

PALTmed Advocates to Overturn Facility-Based Payment Cuts to SNF Clinicians

In response to payment changes stemming from CMS’ 2026 practice expense (PE) methodology updates, PALTmed is continuing its advocacy and education efforts focused on clinician reimbursement in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities (NFs). PALTmed has raised concerns that CMS’ revised meth...
Policy Snapshot

January 26, 2026

House Advances HHS Funding Bill With Key Health-Care Extensions

Last week, the House voted 341–88 to pass a bill providing full-year funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The package includes several major health-care provisions and program extensions important to providers, patients, and long-term care stakeholders. The package is part of a De...
Policy Snapshot

January 16, 2026

CMS to Host LEAD (Long-term Enhancing ACO Design) Model Overview Webinar

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a webinar on Thursday, January 29, 2026, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, about the LEAD Model, including model goals, participation options, eligibility, and payment methodology. The LEAD Model team will also provide more information on the application proc...
Policy Snapshot

January 16, 2026

CMS Emphasizes Correct Use and Billing of Remote Patient Monitoring

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is signaling a renewed focus on ensuring that remote patient monitoring (RPM) services are used and billed correctly. Following a recent review highlighted by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), CMS has released information underscoring the impo...
Policy Snapshot

January 12, 2026

CMS Updates Nursing Home Care Compare Following iQIES Transition

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released Quality & Safety Special Alert Memo QSSAM-26-01-NH to explain recent changes to Nursing Home Care Compare related to the transition to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). This modernization effort aims to en...
Policy Snapshot

January 5, 2026

CMS Proposed Model Test Would Lower Drug Costs for Medicare Part D

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the newly proposed GUARD (Guarding U.S. Medicare Against Rising Drug Costs) Model that would lower the costs of certain prescription drugs covered by Medicare Part D to reflect prices paid in economically comparable countries.
Policy Snapshot

January 5, 2026

CMS Announces $50 Billion in Awards to Strengthen Rural Health in All 50 States

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that all 50 states will receive awards under the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative established under the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation (Public Law 119-21) to strengthen and modernize health care in rural co...