CMS
Stories
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CMS, SBA, Take Command discuss CHOICE Arrangements for Ohio small businesses
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Small Business Administration, and Take Command met to explore CHOICE Arrangements, a tax-advantaged contribution model that lets Ohio employers replace traditional group plans with individual coverage options. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said CHOICE Arrangements help Ohio employers better manage healthcare costs while empowering workers to choose coverage that meets their individual needs.
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$78 million for rural Texas health workforce and chronic disease prevention
The Trump Administration announced $78 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding to 216 rural healthcare providers through the Rural Texas Strong initiative. The investment will support chronic disease prevention, workforce recruitment and retention, and upgrades to medical equipment and facilities across Texas.
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CMS announces $2.3 million RHTP funding for Missouri rural healthcare
The Trump Administration announced more than $2.3 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding to Missouri, allocating $1.46 million for workforce recruitment and retention and $879,000 to launch a certified nurse midwife training program. The investment aims to expand childcare support for rural healthcare workers and increase maternal care access across the state.
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CMS releases 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published the 2027 Star Ratings on October 8, 2026, and the ratings will impact 2028 MA quality bonus payments. Approximately 37% of MA-PD contracts (188 contracts) earned four stars or higher, and 27% of PDPs (11 contracts) received four or more stars for 2027.
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CMS convenes certified IDR leaders to discuss federal program improvements
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and officials from the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury met with representatives from all certified IDR entities on October 1, 2026. The meeting addressed the increasingly high IDR-associated costs affecting the United States healthcare system and the move of the Federal IDR Portal into the IDR Gateway, which will launch in late 2026.
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CMS announces $90 Medicare Part B premium rebate for 20.8 million beneficiaries
CMS announced a $90 Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate for eligible Medicare Part B beneficiaries, with most receiving a direct deposit around October 8, 2026. The rebate is available to 20.8 million Americans in Original Medicare Part B who are not receiving Medicaid premium assistance or paying an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.
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CMS highlights Texas employers' use of CHOICE Arrangement
CMS, SBA and Take Command showcased how Texas businesses are adopting the CHOICE Arrangement to give employees tax-advantaged contributions toward individual health coverage. The model offers employers predictability and employees more choice, according to the press release.