CMS payment policy updates for Medicare Advantage and Part D Programs

The USA’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) yesterday released the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Rate Announcement for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Programs that finalizes the payment policies for these programs.

This release - combined with the CY 2026 MA and Part D final rule that was released on April 4 - makes annual routine and technical updates to the MA and Part D programs.

The agency said the actions being taken by the CMS help protect beneficiaries and taxpayers from waste, fraud, and abuse, while also driving access to high-quality, affordable healthcare through Medicare Advantage. By finalizing these payment policies, CMS is ensuring that Medicare Advantage continues to offer access to critical services in an efficient, accountable manner, further strengthening the program’s ability to serve beneficiaries.