Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Calendar Year 2026 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program; Correction

Key Points

• 1Sets new payment rates for doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who treat Medicare patients in 2026
• 2Updates rules for the Medicare Shared Savings Program, which rewards healthcare organizations that reduce costs while maintaining quality care
• 3Implements the Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program to help lower drug costs when prices increase faster than inflation
• 4Makes technical corrections to previously announced payment and coverage policies
• 5Affects millions of seniors on Medicare and healthcare providers nationwide

Key Dates