Federal Register #2026-13572

CMS and VA Data Matching Program for Insurance Affordability Verification

This notice announces a new data matching program between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to verify eligibility for insurance affordability programs under the Affordable Care Act. - Government Buyer: - Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) - Purpose and Scope: - Establishes a data sharing initiative with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Verifies whether individuals are enrolled in Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) through VA health care programs - Impacts eligibility for financial assistance, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Basic Health Program - Data Elements and Records: - Involves exchange of individual eligibility and enrollment data between CMS and VA - Specifies categories of individuals and records, as well as systems of records used - Notable Requirements: - No procurement of products or services - No OEMs or vendors involved; this is a regulatory data sharing program, not a contract opportunity

Description

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces a new matching program with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to verify eligibility for insurance affordability programs under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The program will assist CMS in determining individuals' eligibility for financial assistance, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Basic Health Program by verifying enrollment in Minimum Essential Coverage through VHA health care programs. The matching program will run for an initial term of 18 months starting approximately May 15, 2026, and may be renewed for an additional year if compliance is certified. Comments on the program are due by August 5, 2026.

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