Timely Access to Coverage Decisions Act of 2026

The Timely Access to Coverage Decisions Act of 2026 establishes strict deadlines for Medicare contractors to review and decide on requests regarding local coverage rules, ensuring that complete requests are resolved within one year and incomplete ones are addressed within 60 days. To improve transparency, the bill mandates that new or significantly revised local coverage decisions go through a public process involving published drafts, open meetings with remote access options, expert panel advice, and a 30-day window for written public comments before they take effect. Additionally, the law requires the Secretary to review reconsideration decisions if requested by interested parties, such as patients, providers, or other entities, to check for errors in evidence interpretation or legal application. These measures aim to create a more predictable and open system for determining which medical items and services are covered under Medicare in specific geographic areas.