From DC is Justice in Aging's weekly roundup of national news and resources about issues impacting older adults. To receive From DC in your inbox as soon as its published, sign up for our mailing list.
Here’s what we’re watching in Washington:
CMS Issues Final Rules on Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans for 2027
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Rule for 2027. The rule makes several changes impacting dual-eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs) and supplemental benefits, including requiring MA plans to post eligibility criteria for certain supplemental benefits on their websites, which Justice in Aging supports.
However, the rule also rescinds a requirement for plans to provide information to enrollees about supplemental benefits available to them. Justice in Aging opposed this rescission and other weakened protections in comments on the proposed rule. Read more about the final rule in the CMS factsheet.
CMS also issued the 2027 Advance Payment Notice announcing the final payment rate for MA plans. In 2027, MA plans will receive a 2.48% increase, which is $13 billion more than 2026 and significantly higher than the 0.9% increase CMS originally proposed.
Guidance on H.R. 1 Changes to Medicaid Eligibility for Immigrants
Last week, CMS issued guidance on new restrictions on Medicaid eligibility for many immigrants. Beginning October 1, 2026, the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1) limits eligibility for federally-funded Medicaid to only U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents (green card holders), certain Cuban-Haitian entrants, and people residing under the Compacts of Free Association. Other lawfully present immigrants, such as asylees and refugees, will lose eligibility for federally-funded Medicaid and many will become uninsured.
The CMS guidance explains that states must identify impacted enrollees and redetermine eligibility using existing data sources to verify their immigration status. If an enrollee’s qualifying status cannot be verified using existing data, the state must contact the enrollee, give them time to provide information, and determine eligibility based on the information provided. Individuals who are determined no longer eligible have the right to appeal.
The guidance affirms that H.R. 1 did not amend the definition of qualified alien under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) and other PRWORA provisions continue to apply, including the 5-year bar. CMS states that guidance on the equivalent changes to Medicare eligibility for lawfully present immigrants is forthcoming.
See Justice in Aging’s Medicaid Defense resources and factsheet on the Medicaid and Medicare changes impacting older adult immigrants.
New Justice in Aging Resources
- Blog: The Future of Aging Policy (4/16)
- Issue Brief: Equity in Aging: Public Benefits and the Realities of Black Older Adults (4/14)
- Alert: Take Action to Stop Harmful HUD Proposals (4/9)
- Fact Sheet: H.R. 1 Reduces Medicaid Retroactive Eligibility Starting in 2027 (4/9)
- Fact Sheet: H.R. 1 Imposes New Limit on Home Equity for Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports Effective 2028 (4/9)
- Fact Sheet: How Medicare and Medi-Cal Work Together for Older Adults (4/6)
- Toolkit: Provider Network Protections for D-SNP State Medicaid Agency Contracts (3/31)
- Resource: Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026 (HR 7828, S. 4001) Sponsors and Supporters (3/25)
- Fact Sheet: How H.R. 1 Impacts People Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (3/24)
- Article: Federal Housing Protections for People with Disabilities (Justice in Aging, The Kelsey, and Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund) (Updated 3/23)
- FAQ: Payment Options for Individuals Who Owe Past-Due Medicare Premiums (3/23)
- Fact Sheet: The Medicare Low-Income Subsidy Can Save Enrollees Thousands of Dollars (3/23)
- Fact Sheet: How to Access Free Part D Plans for Low Income Subsidy Enrollees (3/23)
Upcoming Justice in Aging Webinars
- Fighting Evictions in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities (4/29)
- Understanding California's Eviction Process: A Primer for Advocates (5/12)
