MLN Connects® Newsletter for Thursday, August 27, 2026

News

• Alabama: $144M to Improve Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Emergency, and Maternal Care & Expand the Health Care Workforce
• Alaska: $160M to Bring Cutting-Edge Technology, Drones Prescription Deliveries, Surgical Robotics & More
• North Dakota: Critical Funding to Launch the Coordinating & Connecting Care Initiative
• Ohio: $3.15M to Expand Pharmacy Connectivity Throughout Rural Communities
• Pennsylvania: $35M to Advance Screening Technology, Secure Additional Operating Rooms & Modernize Rural Health Care
• South Dakota: $90M to Modernize & Improve IT and Interoperability
• West Virginia: $4.2M to Expand Medical Transportation & Improve Patient Access to Care

Compliance

• Dermatologists: Bill Correctly for Evaluation and Management Services & Minor Surgical Procedures

Claims, Pricers & Codes

• Home Health Prospective Payment System Grouper: October Update

MLN Matters® Articles

• Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule & Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments HCPCS Codes, Waived Tests & Reasonable Charge Payments: October 2026 Quarterly Update
• Hospice Payments: FY 2027 Update
• ICD-10 & Other Coding Revisions to National Coverage Determinations: January 2027 Update (2 of 2)