MLN Connects® Newsletter for Thursday, October 29, 2026

Final Payment Rule

• CY 2027 End Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System Final Rule

News

• CMS & States Launch $275M Initiative to Recruit and Retain Nurses in Nursing Homes
• Alaska: $249M to Bring Healthcare Closer to Home
• Florida: $193M to Expand Preventive Care & Bring Specialty Care Closer
• Georgia: $219M to Expand the Rural Healthcare Workforce & Advance Technology-Enabled Care
• Mississippi: $32M to Recruit Rural Doctors, Train Healthcare Workers & Expand Emergency Mental Healthcare
• Texas: $8M for 28 Rural Providers to Strengthen Healthcare
• Wyoming: $205M to Strengthen Emergency Care, Expand the Rural Health Workforce & Modernize Healthcare Technology
• ACCESS: Refer Your Patients with Chronic Conditions

Health Technology

• Electronic Prior Authorization: Employers Back Expansion to Self-Funded Health Plans

Fraud, Waste & Abuse

• CMS Seeks Industry Input on Future Fraud Defense Contracts by November 4
• Medicaid Program Integrity Pillars
• CMS Proposes New Verification Requirements to Implement Law that Combats Exchange Fraud & Protects Taxpayer Dollars