Health-Care Price Transparency Rules
Advancing
On October 5, 2026, HHS (via CMS), jointly with the Departments of Labor and Treasury, finalized updates to the Transparency in Coverage rules (CMS-9882-F), per the CMS fact sheet and HHS press release. The rules standardize insurer pricing files, eliminate so-called “zombie rates” (reducing pricing-file sizes by roughly 70%), require attestations of data accuracy from a named senior official, expand out-of-network reporting, and — newly — require personalized cost estimates by phone for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
Kennedy framed the rule as a patient-rights measure, saying: “Americans should know what their healthcare will cost before they receive it.” The rules implement Executive Order 14221.
Timeline
- October 5, 2026 — HHS/CMS, Labor, and Treasury finalize the Transparency in Coverage rules (CMS-9882-F).
- January 1, 2027 — Personalized cost-estimate-by-phone requirement takes effect for plan years beginning on or after this date.
