CMS Proposes Physician Fee Schedule Payment Policies and Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies

What: On July 16, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed:

  • Updates to the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program 
  • Changes to the physician fee schedule (PFS)
  • Changes to Medicare Part B payment policies
  • Establishment of the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program policies
  • The Ambulatory Specialty Model
  • Updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B
  • Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements
  • Updates to the Quality Payment Program
  • Updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers
  • An update to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations
  • Codification of the Inflation Reduction Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act
  • Updates to Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule regulations

Why: CMS estimates that 95% of the over 1 million physicians, other practitioners, and medical suppliers that receive Medicare payment under the PFS are small entities. The proposed rule includes a range of policies that may significantly impact a substantial number of health professionals, practitioners, hospitals, and other small entities.

Action: Read the proposed rule and submit comments before the September 14, 2026, deadline.


Is your small business or entity being impacted by a proposed rule? If yes, write a comment letter to the proposing agency.