As part of PCMA’s efforts to advocate for regulatory policies that enable better health outcomes and increase access to life-saving medications, the organization submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposed rule, titled “Medicare Program; Contract Year 2027 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, and Medicare Cost Plan Program.” 

PCMA’s recommendations call on CMS to take steps that help stabilize the Part D market and streamline regulations.  

The Part D market serves nearly 55 million Americans and is still reacting to significant changes implemented as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Notably, since the IRA’s passage, the number of prescription drug plans (PDPs) has decreased by 55% to a record low 360 plans for 2026. While CMS seeks ways to improve the Medicare Advantage (MA) program in the rule, PCMA urges regulators to proceed carefully and avoid reforms that could disrupt patient access or further destabilize the overall market. We applaud CMS for implementing programs like the PDP premium stabilization model that help ensure beneficiaries continue to have meaningful plan choices and urge regulators to carefully consider any actions in the market that would restrict patients from being able to select the plan that works best for them. 

PCMA also expressed continued support for ongoing efforts by the administration to streamline regulations on health care providers and plans that will benefit Medicare beneficiaries. For example, we support CMS’ proposal to rescind unnecessary mid-year supplemental notices and offer additional opportunities that could help the agency to reduce costly administrative burdens without impacting the patient experience.  

There are opportunities to streamline programs like the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which enforce one-size-fits-all outreach requirements that prevent plans from having the flexibility to best communicate with the patients they serve. The letter also lays out recommendations for rescinding the expansion of certain programs where compliance costs for new regulations will lead to higher premiums for patients and increased overall costs for taxpayers.  

By following these recommendations, CMS can ensure that the Part D market and overall Medicare program continues to serve patients efficiently and enable access to the medications needed to stay as healthy as possible. PCMA looks forward to continuing to work with CMS on ongoing efforts to improve the Medicare Part D Program. 

Read the full comment letter HERE.