2026-08-06 - Readout: CMS Celebrates Delivery of the Health Technology Ecosystem, One Year After Launch

REQUIREMENTS: 1. SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES: - By August 30, 2026: SNF billing teams must download FY 2027 Performance Score Reports from iQIES and review for accuracy. Submit any corrections to CMS by deadline. Verify that the new 8-quality-measure assessment (expanded from 4) is reflected correctly in your records. Contact iqies@cms.hhs.gov with questions. Failure to correct erroneous data will result in incorrect incentive payment multipliers applied to Part A claims effective FY 2027. 2. HOME HEALTH AGENCIES: - Immediately: Authorized officials, access managers, and staff end users must download the 2025 PEPPER report from the PEPPER Portal. Billing team must review reports to identify: billing pattern anomalies, under-coded/over-coded services, and trend issues (e.g., longer patient stays). Use findings to audit internal processes and update coding practices. Contact External User Services Help Desk if access issues occur. Register staff for the September 24 webinar (1 pm ET) for training. 3. GLOBAL SURGERY POSTOPERATIVE VISIT REPORTING: - IMMEDIATELY for affected practices: If your practice has 10 or more practitioners AND is located in Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, or Rhode Island: Providers must now report postoperative evaluation and management visits to Medicare. Update encounter documentation templates to capture inpatient and outpatient postoperative visit details. Reference the Global Surgery booklet (PDF) for correct reporting procedures. Failure to report required postoperative visits may trigger OIG audits and claim recoupment. - For practices with fewer than 10 practitioners: Reporting is optional but encouraged. 4. GLUCOSE MONITORING SUPPLIES: - Immediately: Billing team must review the Glucose Monitoring Supplies provider compliance tip. Audit current claims for billing codes, denial patterns, refill requirements, and documentation gaps. Update billing software validation rules to ensure proper coding for glucose monitors and related supplies. Verify documentation of medical necessity on all claims. Current improper payment rate is 25.2% ($278.5M projected)—non-compliance will result in high denial rates. 5. HCPCS UPDATES: - By September 2026: Billing and coding teams must review the 2026 HCPCS Application Summary for Quarter 2 (Drugs & Biologicals) on the HCPCS Level II Coding Decisions webpage. Update any billing software rules for affected drug/biologic codes. 6. EVENTS: - August 25, 1–2 pm ET: LTACH, IRF, and IPF facilities should register for PEPPER webinar to understand FY 2025 report changes. - August 26, 11 am–12 pm ET: Optional CCSQ Quarterly Stakeholder Webinar for policy updates.