The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a memo Dec. 16 announcing the agency’s intent to conduct a voluntary pilot in 2026, called the Service Level Data Collection for Initial Determinations and Appeals. CMS will collect data related to Medicare Advantage plan initial coverage decisions and processed appeals. CMS anticipates expanding the data collection to all MA plans in 2027. The deadline for interested MA plans to volunteer for the pilot is Jan. 9, 2026.

Perspective
Public
Few patient populations are more vulnerable to the shifting winds around health care today than Medicare beneficiaries who need specialized, high-acuity and…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services April 6 released the Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement for calendar year 2027. The rate…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services April 2 released a final rule on policy and technical changes to Medicare Advantage, the Medicare Prescription…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services March 30 announced that C2C Innovative Solutions will replace Maximus in reviewing and processing appeals of…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments by May 11 on its proposed revisions to data reporting requirements for Medicare Advantage…
Headline
The Joint Economic Committee March 10 released a report that found Medicare Part B premiums rose last year due to Medicare Advantage overpayments. The…