Newsroom Articles

Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate Frequently Asked Questions Q: What will the Medicare Improvement Fund do for Medicare beneficiaries? A: The Administration is making a $90 Premium Rebate available for Part B premiums to certain Medicare beneficiaries because the best way to improve Medicare is to put healthcare dollars back where they belong – in the hands of our Medicare beneficiaries – and make coverage more affordable. Q: How much is the Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate and when will beneficiaries receive it? A: Eligible beneficiaries will receive one $90 rebate in October

CMS Convenes Certified Independent Dispute Resolution Entity Leaders to Discuss Ways to Improve the Federal Program On Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) convened leaders from across the federal government and from certified independent dispute resolution (IDR) entities to discuss issues impacting the federal IDR process. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Department of Labor Assistant Secretary Daniel Aronowitz, and officials from the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury (the Departments) met with representatives from all

Trump Administration Announces $7.2 Million to Expand Ambulance-Based Telemedicine and Upgrade Emergency Communications Across South Dakota This federal investment will help South Dakota's rural ambulance crews reach patients faster, share critical health data with hospitals, and respond to emergencies with modern technology Today, the Trump Administration announced $7.2 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to modernize emergency medical services (EMS) for South Dakota. This investment will provide first responders with modern telemedicine tools, expanded training, and

Trump Administration Announces Nearly $55 Million to Expand Rural Maternal and Emergency Care, Cancer Screening, and Alabama’s Rural Healthcare Workforce This federal investment will support 34 grants including maternal care networks and increase access to cancer screening across Alabama The Trump Administration announced today that nearly $55 million in federal funding is being delivered to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce and expand access to maternal, emergency, and preventive care for Alabamians through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The investment will support 34

CMS Finalizes New Mandatory Drug Payment Model to Deliver Lower Drug Prices for Beneficiaries in Original Medicare Part B The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is finalizing a groundbreaking drug payment model to address the increasingly expensive cost of drugs in Original Medicare Part B while preserving or enhancing Medicare beneficiaries’ quality of care. Building upon the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce drug costs for Americans, the Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing (GLOBE) Model will test whether a new rebate formula for certain drugs in the

CHOICE in Action: Texas Employers Take Advantage of New Approach to Health Benefits Federal leaders spotlight legacy of healthcare innovation in Texas amid wave of momentum for CHOICE Arrangement The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and Take Command , the first provider of Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) in the country, placed Texas businesses center stage in the national conversation about healthcare affordability at CHOICE in Action: Texas. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for CMS, along with Kelly Loeffler

Trump Administration Announces $20 Million to Expand Telehealth Access and Upgrade Healthcare Technology Across Rural North Carolina This federal investment will help expand virtual care, upgrade electronic health records, strengthen cybersecurity, and equip rural providers with new technology to better serve patients The Trump Administration announced today that a $20 million investment is being delivered to upgrade healthcare technology and expand access for patients across rural North Carolina through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This funding will support North

Trump Administration Announces $8.7 Million for New Ambulances and Lifesaving Medical Equipment Upgrades Across Rural Montana This federal investment will replace aging ambulances and equip rural EMS agencies in Montana with ventilators, cardiac monitors, and other critical patient transport equipment The Trump Administration announced today that an $8.7 million investment is being delivered to support rural healthcare for Montana residents through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This investment will provide 79 rural emergency medical service (EMS) agencies with new

Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2027 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced significant premium savings for millions of Medicare beneficiaries in 2027, with weighted average MA premiums projected to fall more than 16% from 2026 to 2027, and average prescription drug premiums in Medicare Advantage projected to plummet 38%. Additionally, average premium for stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans is projected to rise by less than $1 per month in 2027. Despite speculation and misleading reports related to the

Trump Administration Announces $51 Million for Rural Texas Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention Programs This federal investment will support 68 rural hospital districts and authorities working to prevent and manage diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and obesity The Trump Administration announced today that a $51 million investment is being delivered to create or improve community-based chronic disease prevention, wellness, and nutrition programs through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This investment will help rural healthcare providers