The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeks feedback from the public to inform their approach to a secure, standards-based public health data exchange for preventing disease, detecting emerging threats, and strengthening public health at the community level and nationwide. 

For the purposes of this RFI, a public health data intermediary is defined as a trusted organization, network, platform, or governed service that enables exchange and stewardship of health-related data among data sources and public health authorities.  To make data actionable, data intermediaries may provide additional services such as analytics, visualization, technical assistance, and community engagement.  The CDC especially wants rural input on questions of standards and technical capabilities, funding and sustainability of shared infrastructure, governance, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of effectiveness.

Comment by November 20.

During this period, people with Medicare can review their coverage and make changes for 2027, including joining, dropping, or switching Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plans or switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

Changes take effect January 1, 2027. Because plan costs, benefits, drug coverage, and other features can change each year, beneficiaries are encouraged to review their current coverage and compare their options for 2027.

Helpful resources include:

• Compare Medicare plans – use the Medicare Plan Finder to compare health and drug plans, costs, benefits, and coverage, or call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance.
• Get help with Medicare costs – people with limited income and resources may qualify Medicare Savings Programs for help with Medicare premiums or Extra Help for assistance with prescription drug costs.
• Review 2027 state information – CMS state-by-state fact sheets provide information on Medicare Advantage and Part D options, including plan availability and premiums, as well as important dates and enrollment resources for each state.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule with comment period allowing it to temporarily pause certain agent and broker registrations for the Federally-facilitated Marketplace, Healthcare.gov, and State-based Marketplaces that use the federal platform.

CMS is pausing Plan Year 2027 registration for agents and brokers who did not have a Plan Year 2026 Marketplace agreement. The pause began September 22, 2026, and is scheduled to end February 1, 2027, while CMS puts additional safeguards in place to prevent unauthorized enrollments and other improper activity. Agents and brokers who had a Plan Year 2026 Marketplace agreement may continue to register for Plan Year 2027.

Comment by November 21.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to inform new federal standards for “reasonable and relevant” contract terms between Medicare Part D plans and network pharmacies.

Part D plans are currently required to contract with any pharmacy that meets their standard terms and conditions, but CMS has not established additional requirements defining what constitutes reasonable and relevant terms.

Federal law now requires HHS to establish these standards by April 2028 for plan years beginning in 2029. CMS seeks feedback on pharmacy reimbursement and dispensing fees, contracting practices, pharmacy quality measures, audits, access to medications, and other issues, including how these practices affect rural and other underserved areas.

CMS also specifically requests information about Part D contract terms for dispensing drugs to Medicare beneficiaries who receive drugs through the 340B Drug Pricing Program and whether reimbursement rates are related to “pharmacy deserts” in rural and other underserved areas.

Comment by November 23.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services with a mission to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their families and caregivers.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a national network that covers all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  SMPs recruit and train retired professionals and other volunteers to recognize and report health care fraud and help seniors make better financial and health care choices.

Visit the SMP Resource Center to get the latest news and/or report on consumer fraud, find online learning events, and become a volunteer.