CMS Releases Second CY26 MA and Part D Policy and Technical Changes Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Sept. 18 released a second Contract Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D Policy and Technical Changes Final Rule. The agency issued their first final rule for CY 2026 in April, but had left many proposals unaddressed [refer to Washington Highlights, April 11]. 

The final rule will require Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) to submit MA provider directory data to the CMS for publication and inclusion online in Provider Directories within the Medicare Plan Finder. The agency is not finalizing their proposal to require plans attest data is consistent with MA network adequacy data requirements, but it is finalizing a requirement for MAOs to attest at least annually the information provided is accurate. While the data will still be due to the agency by Jan. 1, 2026, the CMS may not make the data publicly available until a later date, following a testing period and additional guidance on the required data. Within the final rule, the agency clarified that the responsibility of submitting data would be on the plans and it would be up to them to work with providers on updating data as necessary.