September 17, 2026

Plans’ average score rating ticked up slightly, from 3.483 last year to 3.493 in 2026 thanks to improvements in commercial and Medicaid plans, though Medicare insurers’ average rating slipped.

The healthcare industry is facing workforce shortages, with a projected scarcity of around 500,000 healthcare workers predicted by 2038. Currently, healthcare professionals are mostly over the age of 50, opening the door for younger workers to fill the gap, but Gen Z healthcare workers are increasingly looking to jump ship.

The 10-year voluntary ACCESS model, which ties payments to achieving defined health outcomes, launched on July 5, 2026, with tracks for four chronic conditions: hypertension, diabetes, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and depression. Beginning in spring 2027, CMS will add tracks for heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, substance use disorders, and tobacco cessation. CMS will also extend the payment period for bone, joint, and mobility conditions that cause chronic pain.

Fraud involving durable medical equipment has been a long-standing concern in Medicare, putting millions of taxpayer dollars at risk each year. The OIG found that Medicare Advantage organizations often apply less scrutiny to out-of-network suppliers, particularly those that are not enrolled in Medicare. The agency recommended stronger monitoring of out-of-network suppliers, more consistent use of CMS’s preclusion list, and requiring suppliers that bill Medicare Advantage plans to be enrolled in Medicare.

Counsel Health has partnered with Oura to incorporate wearable health data into its participation in CMS' ACCESS model, a value-based care initiative focused on improving care coordination and outcomes. The collaboration reflects the growing role of remote monitoring and consumer health technology in Medicare-focused care delivery.