CMS has finalized a rule requiring Medicare Advantage plans to submit provider directory data for inclusion in the Medicare Plan Finder.
The change, aimed at improving transparency and beneficiary decision-making, takes effect January 1, 2026.
Under the rule, MA plans must make provider directory information available to CMS in a standardized format for online publication, update the data within 30 days of becoming aware of changes, and attest at least once a year to the accuracy of the information.
CMS said the move is designed to allow beneficiaries to more easily compare provider networks across plans without having to navigate multiple websites. The agency expects to publish an operational guide in the coming months with technical specifications for plans to follow, along with a testing period before the data appears publicly online.
In July, CMS had signaled its broader push toward digital transformation when the Trump administration announced a public-private partnership to build a more connected and user-friendly health system, with tech giants, payers, and health systems pledging to support new interoperability standards and digital tools for patients and providers, including Medicare Plan Finder enhancements.
