News
Latest news, analysis, and updates.
Medicaid Work Requirements Begin January 2027
KFF tracks Medicaid work requirements set to begin in 44 states in 2027, including state decisions and implementation progress.
November 15, 2026
CMS Drops Two No Surprises Act Billing Arbiters
CMS denied recertification to two No Surprises Act arbiters this week. Here's what it means, and why Medicare and Medicare Advantage billing rules are unaffected.
November 9, 2026
CMS Ousts Two No Surprises Act Arbiters Amid Bias Concerns
CMS denied recertification for two No Surprises Act arbiters in 2026. Here's what the dispute means for billing fairness, and why Medicare isn't affected.
November 7, 2026
CVS to Split Aetna and Caremark From Pharmacy Arm
CVS Health plans to separate Aetna and Caremark from its retail pharmacies, Healthcare Dive reports. Here's what it could mean for Medicare enrollees.
November 5, 2026
Part D Premiums Set to Jump 50% in 2027, KFF Warns
KFF finds Medicare Part D premiums will rise 50% on average in 2027. Here's what the variance means for your drug plan choices before Dec. 7.
November 3, 2026
4.3 Million Medicare Plans Set to End in 2026
KFF reports 4.3 million Medicare beneficiaries may see their MA or Part D plan end in 2026. Learn what to review for 2027 coverage.
October 28, 2026
Medicare Patients Could Lose Remote Monitoring Access
A proposed CMS rule could cut Medicare reimbursement for remote patient monitoring devices. Here's what beneficiaries should know before AEP ends.
October 26, 2026
CMS Proposes Rule to Fix MA Directories, PBM Oversight
CMS proposed new rules to fix inaccurate Medicare Advantage provider directories and increase PBM transparency, with most changes effective in 2028.
October 20, 2026
Centene Eases Prior Authorization for Top Doctors
Centene is waiving prior authorization for high-performing providers under a new gold card program. Here's what it means for Medicare Advantage enrollees.
October 18, 2026
Medicaid Work Rules Could Affect the SSDI Medicare Wait
KFF says Medicaid expansion covered 120,300 people awaiting Medicare after SSDI claims in 2023. Here is what new work rules could mean.
October 16, 2026
74% of MA Enrollees Risk Medigap Denial, KFF Finds
KFF finds 74% of Medicare Advantage enrollees have a pre-existing condition that could block a Medigap switch. Here's what 2026 enrollees should know.
October 14, 2026
What Seniors Will Pay for Medicare Coverage in 2026
KFF's October 2026 brief details what Medicare beneficiaries pay in premiums, deductibles, and cost sharing under Original Medicare, Advantage, and Part D.
October 12, 2026
KFF Guide Clarifies Medicare Open Enrollment Choices
KFF's new brief covers Medicare's fall Open Enrollment Period, which runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, and what coverage changes are allowed.
October 10, 2026
Texas Paxton Investigates UnitedHealth Denial Practices
Texas AG Ken Paxton is investigating UnitedHealth over alleged care denial practices. Here's what it means for Medicare Advantage and Part D enrollees.
October 8, 2026
Trump's $90 Medicare Part B Rebate: What Seniors Should Know
Trump pledged $90 Medicare Part B rebates for 20.8 million seniors in October 2026. Here's what to know before Medicare's enrollment deadline.
October 6, 2026
Part D Drug Plan Premiums to Jump in 2027 for Some
KFF's 2027 Medicare Part D analysis shows modest premium hikes for many plans but increases of $50 or more for enrollees who don't switch.
October 4, 2026
KFF's Medicare 101 Guide Breaks Down Coverage for 68 Million
KFF's Medicare 101 explainer breaks down eligibility, Advantage, Part D, and costs for the program's 68 million enrollees in 2026.
October 2, 2026
Insurers Are Cutting Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027
New CMS landscape data shows insurers trimming 2027 Medicare Advantage offerings. Here's what the cuts could mean for your coverage options.
September 30, 2026
CMS's Oz: AI May Raise Medicare Costs Before Cuts
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz says AI will initially raise Medicare billing costs before delivering long-term savings, per a 2026 Healthcare Dive report.
September 28, 2026
MedPAC Chief Defends Medicare Advantage Cost Estimates
MedPAC's chair defended the panel's Medicare Advantage overpayment analysis at an insurer industry event. Here's what the dispute means for MA enrollees in 2026.
September 26, 2026
CMS's Oz Compares Medicare Advantage to an Overgrown Garden
CMS Administrator Oz likened Medicare Advantage to an overgrown garden, signaling continued oversight interest. Here's what it means for 2026 enrollment.
September 24, 2026
CVS Aetna Simplifies Cancer Care Prior Authorization
Aetna is bundling cancer treatment prior authorizations into one request. Here's what it could mean for Medicare Advantage members and cancer care access.
September 22, 2026
OIG Finds $180M in Medicare Advantage Overpayments
A federal audit found HumanaChoice and UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin plans overstated member health risk, adding nearly $180 million in overpayments.
September 19, 2026
CMS to Add COPD, Substance Use Care to ACCESS Model in 2027
CMS plans to add COPD, substance use disorder and tobacco cessation to its ACCESS payment model in 2027. Here's what it means for Medicare beneficiaries.
September 17, 2026
KFF Video Breaks Down What Insurers' Premium Cut Buys
KFF's Larry Levitt examines insurer overhead and profit in Medicare and private plans, and what a Medicare-for-all system would change for beneficiaries.
September 15, 2026
UnitedHealthcare CFO Predicts Strong 2027 Medicare Advantage
UnitedHealthcare's CFO says the insurer will be very competitive in Medicare Advantage for 2027 as it works to keep MA plans profitable.
September 13, 2026
CMS Raises Bar for 2027 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings
CMS's draft 2027 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings cut points are stricter, which could affect bonus payments and plan benefits ahead of AEP.
September 11, 2026
Mass General Brigham Drops Dana-Farber From MA Network
MGB's Medicare Advantage plan dropped Dana-Farber Cancer Institute from its network as the two Boston systems wind down their partnership in 2026.
September 9, 2026
HaloMD's No Surprises Act Savings Claim Draws Doubt
HaloMD says the No Surprises Act cut out-of-network ER spending by over $1 billion, but independent researchers question its study methodology.
September 7, 2026
UnitedHealthcare Cuts Prior Authorization on 1,700 Codes
UnitedHealthcare will drop prior authorization for about 1,700 codes starting October 2026. Here's what it means for Medicare Advantage enrollees.
September 5, 2026
OIG Audit: Medicare Paid Millions for Ineligible Drugs
An HHS OIG audit found Medicare spent hundreds of millions on ineligible drugs due to CMS oversight gaps. Here's what it means for your Part D costs.
September 3, 2026
Florida AG Sues Drug Middlemen Prime, Express Scripts
Florida's AG sues PBMs Prime Therapeutics and Express Scripts over alleged pharmacy price fixing. What it could mean for Medicare drug plan costs.
September 1, 2026
No Surprises Act Dispute Costs Hit $22B: Medicare Impact
Georgetown research finds No Surprises Act dispute resolution has added $22B in costs. Here's what it means for Medicare and MA plan shoppers.
August 30, 2026
Villages Health Settlement Raises Medicare Questions
A $542 million Villages Health settlement highlights why Medicare Advantage members should review bills, records, and plan choices.
August 28, 2026
Medicare's New GLP-1 Discount Program Has a Catch
Medicare's new GLP-1 Bridge program offers weight-loss drugs for as little as $50 a month, but some sick patients don't qualify for the discount.
August 26, 2026
Medicare Cataract Cuts Push Patients Toward Pricey Lasers
Medicare pays less for cataract surgery, and more eye doctors now offer laser upgrades patients pay extra for. Here's what Medicare beneficiaries should know.
August 24, 2026
Medicare Payment Cuts Are Reshaping Cataract Surgery Costs
Medicare reimbursement for cataract surgery has declined, and more ophthalmologists now offer laser-assisted procedures as an out-of-pocket upgrade. Here's what beneficiaries should know.
August 22, 2026
Providence Health Plan Closing: What Medicare Members Should Know
Providence Health Plan is closing after a Medicare Advantage rescue deal collapsed. Here's what affected members need to know about enrollment options.
August 20, 2026
Why Discharge Timing Now Shapes MA Star Ratings
MA plans are focusing on the first 24 hours after hospital discharge to raise CMS star ratings, here's what that shift means for Medicare enrollees.
August 18, 2026
When Hospice Care Ends: What Medicare Enrollees Need to Know
Some hospice patients improve and lose eligibility. Here's how Medicare's hospice discharge and appeal rules work, and what beneficiaries should do next.
August 16, 2026
Hospice Discharge: When Patients Improve, Not Decline
Some hospice patients improve and lose eligibility. Learn how Medicare's hospice benefit works, why discharges happen, and how to appeal.
August 14, 2026
Medicare's $13B MA Bonus Program: What It Means for You
Medicare will spend $13 billion on MA quality bonuses in 2026, with 68% of enrollees in bonus-eligible plans. Here's what it means for your coverage.
August 12, 2026
Sentara-Anthem Contract Fight Threatens VA Medicare
Sentara plans to end Anthem contracts in Virginia, threatening network access for about 380,000 patients, including Medicare enrollees.
August 9, 2026
Sentara-Anthem Split Could Affect Medicare Choices
Sentara says it is moving to end Anthem contracts in Virginia. Learn what a possible network change could mean for Medicare members.
August 7, 2026
Complete Health Pays $14M Over MA Billing Allegations
Complete Health agreed to pay $14M to resolve DOJ allegations of inflated Medicare Advantage diagnosis coding. Here's what it means for MA enrollees.
August 5, 2026
CMS Ends Part D Premium Stabilization Demo for 2027
CMS says it will end the Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration after 2026, and a researcher warns some enrollees could face higher 2027 premiums.
July 30, 2026
Hospital Prices Drive Health Costs, But Stay Off Radar
Hospitals drove 40% of U.S. health spending growth from 2022-2024, yet drug prices dominate policy debates. Here's what Medicare enrollees should know.
July 17, 2026
Zero-Premium Drug Plans: When $8 Costs You Coverage
Thousands of Medicare Part D enrollees were dropped for missing small new premiums. Here's what happened, who's at risk, and what to do now.
July 7, 2026
Medicare Prior Auth Still Blocks Lifesaving Drugs
A Missouri woman's hospitalization after a Medicare Advantage prior auth denial shows why industry reform pledges haven't fully protected patients.
June 29, 2026
PBM Lobby Sues Illinois Over Drug Affordability Law
PCMA filed its second state lawsuit in one week over PBM reform laws. Here's what the Illinois case means for Medicare Part D drug costs in 2026.
June 21, 2026
Congress Moves Against Medicare AI Prior Authorization
House committee votes to block Medicare's AI prior authorization pilot amid concerns about care delays for seniors. What this means for beneficiaries.
June 11, 2026
CMS Delays Elevance Medicare Advantage Sanctions
CMS delays Elevance Medicare Advantage sanctions until July after progress on data fixes. What this means for your plan coverage.
June 3, 2026