Medicare Policy Updates and Coding Changes

CMS Transmittals

Published March 12th, 2026

Detected March 13th, 2026

Summary

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued several transmittals detailing policy updates and coding changes for Medicare in 2026. These updates cover various areas including the Review Choice Demonstration, SSI/Medicare beneficiary data, preventive services, error rate testing, and specific payment systems. The implementation dates for these changes range from April to May 2026.

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What changed

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published a series of transmittals outlining policy updates and coding changes affecting Medicare beneficiaries and providers for 2026. Key updates include guidance on the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities, revisions to the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) Program, and coding updates for Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities and the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database. Specific transmittals also address Cardiac Contractility Modulation for heart failure and manual updates concerning certification timing and content.

Healthcare providers must review these transmittals to understand and implement the upcoming policy and coding adjustments. The implementation dates for these changes vary, with most taking effect in April and May of 2026. Compliance with these updates is crucial for accurate billing and reimbursement under the Medicare program. Failure to adhere to updated policies and coding requirements could lead to claim denials or other compliance issues.

What to do next

Review transmittals R13674OTN, R13676COM, R13677CP, R13678PI, R13643CP, R13672NCD, R13672CP, R13673CP, R13664BP, and R13665CP.
Identify and implement policy and coding changes relevant to your practice.
Ensure compliance with implementation dates, primarily in April and May 2026.

Source document (simplified)

2026 Transmittals

Displaying 1 - 10 of 67 Show entries: 5 per page 10 per page 25 per page 50 per page 100 per page -- All -- Filter On
| Transmittal # | Issue Date | Subject | Implementation Date | CR # | Provider Education | Provider Education Release Date | Provider Education Revision Date |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R13674OTN |
2026-03-12
| Provider Education for the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) for Inpatient Rehabilitation… |
2026-05-01
| 14316 | | | |
| R13676COM |
2026-03-12
| The Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Medicare Beneficiary Data for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 for… |
2026-04-13
| 14391 | | | |
| R13677CP |
2026-03-12
| Internet-Only Manual Update, Pub. 100-04, Chapter 18 (Preventive and Screening Services),… |
2026-04-13
| 14396 | | | |
| R13678PI |
2026-03-12
| Revisions to Chapter 12 (The Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) Program) of Publication (… |
2026-04-13
| 14399 | | | |
| R13643CP |
2026-03-10
| April 2026 Coding Updates for the Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System (… |
2026-04-06
| 14393 | | | |
| R13672NCD |
2026-03-09
| Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) for Heart Failure (HF) |
2026-04-06
| 14311 | MLN Matters Article MM14311 |
2025-12-22
|
2026-03-11
|
| R13672CP |
2026-03-09
| Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) for Heart Failure (HF) |
2026-04-06
| 14311 | MLN Matters Article MM14311 |
2025-12-22
|
2026-03-11
|
| R13673CP |
2026-03-06
| Quarterly Update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB) - April 2026 Update |
2026-04-06
| 14392 | | | |
| R13664BP |
2026-03-05
| Manual Updates Adding language to the Timing and Content of Certification, Revocation and… |
2026-04-06
| 14384 | | | |
| R13665CP |
2026-03-05
| Update to the Internet Only Manual (IOM) Publication 100-04, Chapter 32, Sections 40.1 and 40.2.… |
2026-04-06
| 14394 | MLN Matters Article MM14394 |
2025-12-09
|
2026-03-06
|
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