News from ACOI

Medicare GLP-1 Program Begins July 1

Beginning July 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2027, Medicare beneficiaries with Part D coverage may be eligible to access certain GLP-1 medications for $50 per month.

USCIS Lifts Processing Holds for Physicians

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has lifted processing holds on immigration benefit applications filed by or on behalf of medical physicians.

Are You Required to Participate in Medicare’s New Payment Model? Check the CMS List to Find Out

As previously reported by ACOI, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will launch two new payment models for heart failure and lower back pain on January 1, 2027.

House Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Improve Physician Payment Stability

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would make improvements to budget neutrality requirements within the Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS).

MedPAC Recommends 0.5% Physician Fee Schedule Update

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission issued its March 2026 Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy, providing a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of current Medicare payment systems.

CMS Boosts MA Plan Rates After Pushback from Insurers

On April 6, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will provide Medicare Advantage (MA) plans a 2.48 percent rate increase in 2027.

CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines; Sets New Standards for Exchange of Clinical Documentation for Health Care Claims

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a final rule that will phase out fax machines and paper mailings for health care claims documentation and establish national standards for the electronic exchange of clinical documentation.

New Bill Exempts Health Care Professionals from H-1B Fee

Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), and Sanford Bishop (D-GA) introduced the H1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act (H.R. 7961).

ACOI Endorses Senate Community TEAMS Act

ACOI has endorsed the Senate companion of the Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students Act (Community TEAMS Act).

DO Day 2026: Advocating for Osteopathic Medicine

Laura M. Rosch, DO, FACOI, shares her experience joining with over 400 osteopathic physicians and medical students for DO Day 2026 in Washington, D.C.

Medical Research Community Asks for NIH Funding Increase

Advocates for medical research funding are calling on Congress to increase federal spending for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Elevance Health Expands Out-of-Network Policy

Elevance Health has announced it is expanding its new policy “Facility Administrative Policy: Use of a Nonparticipating Care Provider,” to California effective June 1, 20

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