Wakely Wire
March 5, 2026
New Insights
Whitepapers, briefs, press releases and more
The Value Shift – How Medicare Advantage Benefits Are Evolving for 2026
On October 30, 2025, CMS released the 2026 MA plan benefit data. This first paper in Wakely’s 2026 MA market paper series provides an initial analysis of the 2026 MA benefit landscape, highlighting key trends and changes for 2026. Using Wakely’s WMACAT and SMART tools, the paper finds that general enrollment MA plans experienced notable ... Continue reading
Events & More
Proposed ACA 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters: Implications for Issuers and States
WAKELY WEBINAR
March 11, 2026 | 12 PM ET
This webinar offers a timely, strategic overview of the recently released proposed 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters and what it signals for the evolving coverage landscape. We will unpack the key policy changes, operational requirements, and market assumptions embedded in the rule, with a focus on implications for the individual and small group markets beginning in 2026 and extending beyond.
Participants will gain insight into how proposed updates may affect plan design, rate development, risk adjustment, enrollment operations, and health insurance regulation dynamics. We will also explore the broader policy direction reflected in the proposal and what organizations should be monitoring now to prepare for implementation and potential downstream impacts.
Newsworthy Findings
CMS Extends Application Deadline for New Medicaid Drug Pricing Model
The White House said Monday afternoon that it will extend the deadline for drugmakers to apply for a new model that seeks to establish most-favored nation pricing in Medicaid. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said that the application deadline for the new GENErating cost Reductions for U.S. Medicaid (GENEROUS) model will be pushed back from March 31 to April 30 to allow pharmaceutical companies greater time to sign up.
CMS Receives Record Comments on Controversial Medicare Advantage Payment Proposal
The Trump administration wants to keep MA rates flat next year and change how risk adjustment is calculated. Insurers had a lot to say about this.
Iran War Prompts U.S. Hospitals to Prep for Potential DDoS Attacks
The Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center is warning American health systems to shore up their cybersecurity posture against the threat of distributed denial-of-service attacks stemming from the military conflict with Iran.
Amazon Launches Suite of Healthcare AI Agents
Amazon Connect Health can help patients schedule appointments as well as assist providers by creating summaries of patients’ medical histories, documenting care and generating medical codes.
Lawmakers, Health Groups Resist States’ Rural Health Fund Plans
State lawmakers and rural health advocates are pushing back on how states plan to use new federal rural health transformation funds, arguing they had little input in the process and that the money may not directly support struggling rural hospitals.
Bonus Article
New Elephant Ambulance Marks Inaugural Rescue, Bringing 27-Year-Old to Hospital With Leg Injury
Just for Fun
Math Joke:
Why did Pi break up with i?
Prior Week
Q: Why did the student do multiplication on the floor?
A: The teacher told them not to use tables
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