Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Don Davis and 6 co-sponsors

The bill would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part B chronic care management services, expanding access by removing beneficiary copays/deductibles.

Introduced in House

Purpose

HR 8261 seeks to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove cost-sharing responsibilities for chronic care management (CCM) services under Medicare. In practical terms, the bill would eliminate the patient cost-sharing (copayments/deductibles) currently required for CCM services, potentially expanding access to these services for Medicare beneficiaries.

Key Provisions and Changes

Elimination of cost-sharing for CCM services: The core text aims to remove any out-of-pocket costs borne by beneficiaries for chronic care management services covered under Medicare Part B.

Impact on Medicare Part B beneficiaries: By removing cost-sharing, beneficiaries would be able to receive CCM services without paying copayments or deductible amounts as part of their Medicare coverage.

Clarity on scope of CCM services: The bill focuses specifically on chronic care management services, which typically involve coordinated care planning and ongoing management of individuals with multiple chronic conditions.

Note: The summary reflects the bill’s stated objective to remove cost-sharing; the precise statutory language (definitions, service requirements, billing codes, and any exceptions) would be found in the enacted text of the amendment to title XVIII.

Who/What Would Be Affected

Beneficiaries: Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for chronic care management services would no longer face out-of-pocket costs for CCM.

Providers and Medicare Administrative Contractors: Providers who furnish CCM services and the contractors administering Part B would implement the new cost-sharing policy, update billing practices, and ensure that CCM services are billed without beneficiary cost-sharing where applicable.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and Referral: The bill was introduced in the House and referred on April 14, 2026, to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and, in addition, to the Committee on Ways and Means. This dual referral indicates consideration by both committees with jurisdiction over health policy and Medicare.

Legislative Path: As with many Medicare-related amendments, passage would require approval by both chambers (House and Senate) and the President. If enacted, the effective date and any transition provisions would be defined in the final bill text or accompanying details.

Practical Considerations

Budgetary Impact: Removing cost-sharing could increase federal spending under Medicare Part B due to higher utilization of CCM services, unless counterbalanced by efficiency gains or changes in service utilization patterns.

Program Integrity and Access: The policy aims to improve access to CCM, potentially improving care coordination for patients with multiple chronic conditions and possibly reducing downstream costs from unmanaged chronic illness.

Administrative Details: Successful implementation would require guidance on billing practices, CPT/HCPCS codes for CCM, thresholds for qualifying chronic conditions, and any beneficiary enrollment or consent requirements.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include estimated budget effects (if the bill’s fiscal note is available), potential implementation timelines, or comparisons to existing CCM cost-sharing rules.

Bill