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Updates for Members and Partners
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SHARE FEEDBACK ON PROPOSED CHANGES IN PFS RULE
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Comments on the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule are due by September 12. NAACOS plans to share our draft comments with members about two weeks ahead of the deadline. Members are encouraged to use NAACOS’ comments in their own comment letters. If you have feedback on any of the proposed changes that you would like NAACOS to consider incorporating into our comments, please share with [email protected] as soon as possible. Check out NAACOS’ analysis and webinar on the proposed rule for more details.
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NEW TAX LAW COULD TRIGGER $500B CUT TO MEDICARE
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The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) sent a letter to lawmakers showing that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) may require nearly $500 billion in automatic cuts to Medicare between 2026 and 2034—unless Congress acts to offset the budget consequences. Under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Act of 2010, legislation that significantly increases the federal deficit is subject to automatic across-the-board cuts known as sequestration. According to CBO, these could start with as much as $45 billion cut from Medicare in Fiscal Year 2026, with annual reductions rising in subsequent years. Historically, Congress has waived these cuts but political disagreements between Republicans and Democrats could make negotiations over end-of-year funding and budget issues more difficult. NAACOS will continue to monitor this issue and advocate for avoiding cuts to Medicare payment.
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REMINDER: UPDATE QP INFORMATION BY SEPTEMBER 1
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On August 18, 2025, CMS released a updated list of unpaid Qualifying APM Participants (QPs) for Payment Year 2025. Earlier this summer, NAACOS members reported a significant increase in clinicians listed as unpaid. CMS is currently reprocessing roughly 140,000 previously failed payments.
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- The remaining 35,000 clinicians on the unpaid list are encouraged to submit their payment information to CMS by September 1.
- For ACOs with multiple affected NPIs using the same billing details (TIN, Billing NPI, PTAN, MAC ID), only one form is required, accompanied by an Excel sheet listing all relevant NPIs.
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FINAL CHANCE – DISCOUNT ON FALL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
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The early registration deadline for the NAACOS Fall Conference, October 8-10 at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C. ends tomorrow, Friday, August 22 at 5:00 pm ET. After this time, prices for the main meeting will increase by $300 and prices for the pre-conference workshops on October 8 and the virtual conference will increase by $100. Group rates will also increase after tomorrow. Register TODAY for the in-person conference or for the virtual to receive the discounted rates.
Don’t Forget to Book Your Hotel Room!
Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C.
901 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20001
All reservations must be made by Friday, August 22 based on availability to qualify for the discounted room rate of $349 a night, plus taxes and fees. The hotel will not release additional rooms to us at the discounted rate.
If you have any trouble registering for the conference, please email us at [email protected].
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REGISTER FOR THIRD QUARTER PARTNER CALL ON SEPTEMBER 18
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NAACOS Partners! Join us on September 18 at 12:30 pm ET for an engaging and informative call exclusively for Partner Circle, Business Partners, and Alliance Partners. NAACOS staff will provide an update on our latest initiatives and new opportunities for you to engage with our value-based care audience. Hear about maximizing your Fall Conference opportunities and take advantage of special discounted sponsorship packages! Don’t miss this chance to fully utilize the benefits of your NAACOS partnership.
This meeting is only open to Partners.
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NEW TEAM DEEP DIVE ROUNDTABLE BEGINS SEPTEMBER 24
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The Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) is a mandatory bundled payment model that will begin January 1, 2026, and run through December 31, 2030. To support members in this model, NAACOS is forming a TEAM Deep Dive Roundtable, topics will include model implementation, challenges, strategies, and best practices for model execution. Registration is now open.
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TIME TO REGISTER FOR TOMORROW’S NORTHEAST REGIONAL MEETING
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Register today for the upcoming regional meetings occurring in August and September. These regional meetings provide an opportunity to engage in value-based care presentations and discussions with regional health care leaders from provider groups, payers, and thought leaders from the care continuum in value-based care contracts. Registration is still open for tomorrow’s Northeast Regional Meeting.
In addition, we are starting to plan for an in person South Central/Gulf regional meeting scheduled for early 2026. If you are interested in joining a focus group to help shape this meeting, please email [email protected].
Our regional events are open to NAACOS members, non-member ACOs, and value-based care providers. In-person events are $250 per registrant, and each NAACOS ACO and value-based care provider member receives one complimentary registration per calendar year, with additional unlimited additional registrations to be purchased at the prevailing rate. Contact [email protected] to utilize your complimentary registration or with any questions.
These events are not open to non-sponsoring business partners.
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If you are interested in speaking on any of the agenda topics listed for your region, please reply to [email protected]. Watch for updates and additional registration links in future newsletters and on our Regional Meeting Webpage.
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- NAACOS is co-sponsoring a Capitol Hill reception on Thursday, September 11 at 4:30 pm ET to celebrate primary care, value-based care momentum, and the release of The Zen Lobbyist by Gary Jacobs. NAACOS members in the D.C. area or attending the Fall Advocacy Summit are welcome to attend.
- Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Ami Bera (D-CA), and a group of House Democrats sent a letter to CMS Administrator Oz expressing concern with the new Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model.
- A recent Modern Healthcare article announced that Aetna will close nearly 90 Medicare Advantage plans across 34 states in 2026.
- Wall Street Journal reported that the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed complaints against top Medicare Advantage insurers for allegedly orchestrating kickbacks with brokers in steering enrollments and seeking to grab market share.
- July KFF policy brief estimates that federal Medicaid spending could decline by approximately $911B over 10 years with $137 billion affecting rural areas (more than the $50B allocated for the rural health fund).
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