CMS Seeks Physician Feedback on Community-Based Palliative Care

On July 14, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY2027 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule, which among other key policy changes, includes a request for information (RFI) on community-based palliative care. This is the third request for information on community-based palliative care CMS has issued this year, including one specific to end-state renal disease patients. CMS is requesting feedback on eligibility and care management services for seriously ill populations.

Additionally, in other sections of the proposed rule, CMS is explicitly reconsidering the future of the care management services that form the basis for payment adequacy for important between visit care (in addition to E/M services for outpatient or home visits). Care for the seriously ill involves interdisciplinary care teams and involves even greater coordination and between-visit care than primary care services. CMS requests feedback on what service elements need to be included in care management for seriously ill beneficiaries versus other Medicare beneficiaries. CMS also seeks feedback on determining how best to report quality of care safeguards and how to protect against waste, fraud, and abuse with current and future community-based palliative care programs.

LeadingAge plans to submit comments on these RFIs.