Medicare/CMSHigh ImpactAdministrative

2026-04-30 - CMS & FDA Announce RAPID Coverage Pathway to Accelerate Patient Access to Life-Changing Medical Devices

Published April 30, 2026Effective May 1, 2026

AI Summary

CMS released multiple updates including a new RAPID coverage pathway for breakthrough medical devices, mandatory clinical lab data reporting starting May 1, required third-party vendor enrollment by May 11, new physical activity risk assessment code G0136, and updated abdominal aortic aneurysm screening codes.

Action Required

By May 1, 2026: Clinical diagnostic laboratories must report HCPCS codes, private payor rates, and volume data for January-June 2025 period using CMS Data Collection System. By May 11, 2026: Enroll all third-party vendors for HIPAA Eligibility Transaction System access by linking vendor unique IDs to your NPI to prevent service disruptions. Immediately: Begin using new HCPCS code G0136 for physical activity and nutrition risk assessments as add-on to E/M visits every 6 months or Annual Wellness Visits. Update billing system with new ICD-10 diagnosis codes for abdominal aortic aneurysm screening.

Affected Billing Codes

G0136Z13.6Z87.891F17.210F17.211F17.213F17.218F17.219Z84.89

Plan Types

Traditional Medicare

Specialties

all-specialties, laboratory

2026-04-30 - CMS & FDA Announce RAPID Coverage Pathway to Accelerate Patient Access to Life-Changing Medical Devices | Medicare/CMS | PolicyChanges.app