Apples to Apples Comparison Act of 2026

The Apples to Apples Comparison Act of 2026 requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to publish detailed, machine-readable Medicare spending data starting in 2027. This includes monthly expenditures broken down by county and metropolitan area, for multiple beneficiary categories such as those in traditional Medicare versus Medicare Advantage plans, and by enrollment status in prescription drug or supplemental coverage. The bill also mandates MedPAC to analyze spending differences between Medicare Advantage and traditional fee-for-service plans, using specific data while accounting for demographic and benefit differences. These requirements aim to increase transparency for policymakers, researchers, and the public regarding Medicare spending patterns across different regions and beneficiary groups.