Market access decides whether a product is paid for; this page covers how the system pays for care itself. It collects the regulatory updates HealthSignal tracks on hospital and provider payment systems, including prospective payment rules, diagnosis-related groups and tariffs, alongside facility licensing, care quality inspection regimes, service commissioning, and the regulation of health professionals. In the United States this is largely Medicare and Medicaid rulemaking from CMS; in Europe it is split across national payers and health ministries. Every item is drawn from official public bodies at the level of regulation, policy, and law.
Working group recommends criteria and priorities for digitising paper-based healthcare and care processes under the 'Gemeinsam Digital' strategy.
gematik (German Digital Health) · Germany17.07.2026
Swissmedic · SwitzerlandDEA and HHS extend telemedicine flexibilities for controlled-medication prescribing through December 31, 2026.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesMyHealth@EU infrastructure for primary use becomes mandatory; cross-border Patient Summaries and ePrescriptions/eDispensations exchange required; full EHR vendor compliance deadline March 2029.
European Health Data Space · EU-wideEHDS infrastructure operational for patient care data exchange and research access; providers and EHR manufacturers must comply with interoperability requirements; fines up to €20M or 4% of turnover.
European Health Data Space · EU-wideProposed requirements for electronic prior authorization for drugs and extended interoperability standards across Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CHIP, and QHP issuers.
US Federal Register - CMS Rules · United StatesAmendment to Socialstyrelsen's regulations on mandatory reporting obligations to the Swedish National Patient Register.
Socialstyrelsen - Föreskrifter (SE) · SwedenFinland amended prescribing rules to permit nurses, public health nurses and midwives to prescribe medicines via remote and telephone appointments, effective 8 June 2026.
Finnish Supervisory Agency (Lupa- ja valvontavirasto) · FinlandDEA establishes Special Registration framework for telemedicine practitioners to prescribe controlled substances without in-person evaluation, with heightened recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesDEA extends telemedicine flexibilities for controlled-medication prescribing through December 31, 2025.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesCMS revises IPPS and LTCH payment rates for FY 2027, updates quality program requirements, and ONC adopts updated health IT standards.
US Federal Register - CMS Rules · United StatesEU action plan announced to strengthen cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers.
EC Digital Health · EU-wideCMS and CDC seek public input on updating CLIA regulations covering breath testing, laboratory processes, emergency preparedness, biosafety, biosecurity, and cybersecurity.
US Federal Register - CMS Rules · United StatesCMS proposes updates to physician fee schedule, Part B payment policies, Medicare Shared Savings Program, Quality Payment Program, and Promoting Interoperability Program for calendar year 2027.
US Federal Register - CMS Rules · United StatesDEA and HHS postponed the effective dates of final rules expanding buprenorphine telemedicine treatment and VA continuity-of-care telemedicine from March 21 to a later date pending further review.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesDEA and HHS delayed the effective date of two final rules on buprenorphine telemedicine and VA continuity of care from February 18 to March 21, 2025.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesDEA and HHS amend regulations to permit audio-only telemedicine prescribing of schedule III-V controlled substances for opioid use disorder after PDMP review.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesDEA extends temporary exceptions allowing telemedicine prescribing of controlled medications without prior in-person evaluation beyond November 11, 2023.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesDEA extends temporary exceptions to controlled-medication prescribing rules to permit telemedicine without prior in-person evaluation pending final rulemaking.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesDEA proposes rule permitting telehealth prescribing of controlled medications without prior in-person evaluation in limited circumstances.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesCMS updates Medicare payment policies and rates for hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital services for fiscal year 2027.
US CMS Newsroom · United StatesFinal rule implements SUPPORT Act amendments to expand practitioner qualifications and pharmacy delivery options for opioid-use-disorder medication-assisted treatment via telehealth.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesEuropean Parliament subcommittee proposes recommendations to the Commission for updating cross-border healthcare patient rights rules.
European Parliament - SANT Subcommittee (Public Health) · EU-wideVA practitioners may prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine to VA patients without prior in-person evaluation if another VA practitioner previously evaluated the patient.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesDEA amends regulations to expand authorization for practitioners to prescribe schedule III-V narcotic drugs for maintenance or withdrawal management via telemedicine, including audio-only encounters.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesDEA permits mobile components of registered narcotic treatment programs to dispense controlled substances at remote locations without separate registration.
US Federal Register - DEA Telehealth Rules · United StatesOverview of DHSC and NHS England systems and processes for responding to medicine shortages across the UK supply chain.
UK DHSC · UKGuidance on roles and responsibilities of marketing authorisation holders, wholesalers and procurers in maintaining medicine supply and minimising shortages.
UK DHSC · UKMedicinrådet publishes a new national basic medicines list replacing regional lists, covering 15 common disease areas with drug-choice recommendations for primary care.
Medicinrådet (Danish Medicines Council) · DenmarkUpdates hospice wage index, payment rates, aggregate cap, and quality reporting requirements for fiscal year 2027.
US Federal Register - CMS Rules · United StatesFinal rule updates IRF prospective payment rates for FY 2027, completes rural adjustment phaseout, and establishes therapy and team-meeting timing requirements.
US Federal Register - CMS Rules · United StatesFinal rule updates SNF prospective payment rates, quality reporting requirements, and value-based purchasing program for FY 2027.
US Federal Register - CMS Rules · United StatesResources to help keep children in England healthy, safe and well from preconception to adulthood.
UK DHSC · UKCMS updates IPF prospective payment rates, wage index, outlier thresholds, and implements standardized patient assessment for FY 2027.
US Federal Register - CMS Rules · United StatesCMS issued a final rule updating Medicare payment policies and rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities for fiscal year 2027.
US CMS Newsroom · United StatesCMS updates Medicare hospice payment rates, wage index, and quality reporting requirements for fiscal year 2027.
US CMS Newsroom · United StatesCMS updates HCPCS codes on the Master List and the Required Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery and Prior Authorization Lists.
US Federal Register - CMS Rules · United StatesCMS issued a final rule updating Medicare payment policies and rates for inpatient psychiatric facilities for fiscal year 2027.
US CMS Newsroom · United StatesCMS issued final rule updating Medicare payment policies and rates for skilled nursing facilities for fiscal year 2027.
US CMS Newsroom · United StatesProposed rule revising indirect hold harmless thresholds for health care-related taxes, effective October 1, 2026 and 2027, implementing the Working Families Tax Cut legislation.
US Federal Register - CMS Rules · United StatesShared principles to guide Ofsted and CQC inspection and assessment activity during local government reorganisation.
UK DHSC Policy Papers & Consultations · UK29. maj 2026
Medicinrådet (Danish Medicines Council) · DenmarkHAS publishes best-practice recommendations for healthcare professionals on diagnosis and management of chronic disabling tinnitus in adults.
Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) · FranceCMS proposes updates to Medicare home health payment rates, case-mix weights, quality reporting requirements, and DME enrollment and benefit policies for calendar year 2027.
US Federal Register - CMS Rules · United StatesDanish Medicines Council publishes new brief guidance for psychiatrists and GPs on ADHD medication prescribing.
Medicinrådet (Danish Medicines Council) · DenmarkNPRM proposes to rescind and replace Head Start Program Performance Standards to reduce Federal burden, defer to State policies, and emphasize health, nutrition, and physical exercise for young children.
US Federal Register - HHS Rules · United StatesPress Releases Jul 14, 2026 CMS Proposes Transformational Medicare Reforms to Expand Accountable Care, Modernize Physician Payment, and Shift from Sick Care to Healthcare CMS Proposes Transformational Medicare Reforms...
US CMS Newsroom · United StatesGuidance on preparing hospital systems for health risks from extreme heat and increased emergency cases during heat waves.
Hungary NNGYK · HungaryGuidance on continuity of care between midwifery and health visiting services in perinatal care in England.
UK DHSC · UKCall for views on which roles or people should be permitted to use the word 'nurse' in their professional title.
UK DHSC Policy Papers & Consultations · UK