More than 30 organizations representing physicians, clinical laboratories, patients, and medical specialties are urging Congress to pass the Timely Access to Coverage Decisions Act of 2026 (H.R. 8500), bipartisan legislation designed to improve the Medicare local coverage determination (LCD) process.
The issue: LCDs help determine whether Medicare will cover certain items and services in specific regions of the country. According to the coalition, the current process lacks sufficient transparency, predictability, and stakeholder input.
The legislation: H.R. 8500 would establish defined timelines for Medicare coverage decisions, increase opportunities for public and stakeholder involvement, require timely posting of meeting records and recordings, and create an additional Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services review option after contractor reconsideration is exhausted.
Our focus: The CAP has led the coalition effort calling for reforms to help ensure patients have timely access to medically necessary care through a more transparent and accountable Medicare coverage process.
Go deeper: Read the letter to Congress.