CY 2026 Plan Connectivity Data Submission for Medicare Plans
Relevant to: PDP, PDF, PACE, Part D
Each week, we scan the latest CMS memos to find the most important ones that apply for PACE programs. Below is a summary of what you need to know.
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Introduction
The CMS has released guidelines for the Contract Year 2026 related to Plan Connectivity Data Submission and Verification for Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plan, Cost, and PACE Organizations. This process is crucial for ensuring timely contract approvals by facilitating a seamless data exchange with CMS systems. Plans are encouraged to review their existing data submissions, update configurations if necessary, and complete the required submission through the HPMS Plan Connectivity Data module. Key actions include completing entries, acquiring necessary signatures, and ensuring proper submission via email.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Memo Date: June 10, 2025
- Contract Year: 2026
- Submission Deadline: Check HPMS PCD module for specific dates
PACE Compliance
This memo is relevant to PACE programs because it outlines the necessary procedures for data submission and verification for CY 2026, which is crucial for compliance with CMS requirements. Proper submission ensures that all connectivity arrangements for accessing CMS systems are up to date and that the PACE organizations can seamlessly exchange necessary data with CMS.
PACE organizations, as well as other plans, must utilize the Health Plan Management System (HPMS) Plan Connectivity Data (PCD) module for their data submissions. This ensures compliance with CMS’s requirements for the setup or modification of data exchange processes. By doing so, they are able to maintain smooth operations concerning enrollment, eligibility queries, prescription drug events, and risk adjustment processing, among others.
Here are the steps PACE organizations must follow to ensure compliance:
1. Complete the data submission in the HPMS PCD module as per the guidelines.
2. Review and, if necessary, update any plan connectivity data for accuracy.
3. Print and sign the relevant PDF documents from the PCD module.
4. Submit the signed documents to the MAPD Help Desk as instructed.
Failure to comply with these steps could result in delays in contract approvals or disruptions in data exchanges with CMS, potentially leading to operational challenges.
If PACE organizations have no changes to report in their connectivity data, then no additional actions are necessary, aside from possibly confirming that the existing data remains correct.
Required Actions
Plans must complete their data submission in the Health Plan Management System (HPMS) Plan Connectivity Data (PCD) module so that CMS can process CY 2026 contract approvals timely.
Plans must also submit their PCD forms via e-mail as instructed in the module.
The HPMS PCD module provides a centralized way to communicate plan connectivity
arrangements for accessing CMS systems. The PCD data submissions are used to set up new data
exchange processes with CMS or to modify their current configuration. In this module, plans must
specify the methodology used to exchange enrollment, Beneficiary Eligibility Query (BEQ), 4RX,
Electronic Correspondence Referral System (ECRS), Prescription Drug Event (PDE) records,
and/or Risk Adjustment Processing System (RAPS) data with CMS. Plans using third-party
entities to transfer data to/from CMS are responsible for providing the third-party information in
the PCD module.
CMS recommends that all plans review their PCD data in HPMS. If there are no changes, then no
further action is needed.
After completing data entry in the PCD module, plans must:
• Print the PDF files from the “Plan Connectivity Data – General” and “3rd. Party Data” pages.
• Obtain signatures (electronic signatures are acceptable).
• Scan the signed documents into PDF files, if needed.
• Send the documents to the MAPD Help Desk at MAPDHelp@cms.hhs.gov.
Accessing the HPMS Plan Connectivity Data Module
HPMS is located at https://hpms.cms.gov/. The PCD module can be accessed using the following
navigation path: HPMS Home Page > Contract Management > Plan Connectivity Data > Enter/Edit
Connectivity Data > Select Contract Number or Contract Number Grouping.
The PCD Technical User’s Manual has been posted in the Documentation section of the
module.
Additional guidance on PCD and data exchange preparedness is provided at
https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/CMSInformationTechnology
/mapdhelpdesk/Plan-Connectivity-Preparation.
Instructions for obtaining a CMS user ID with HPMS access is available at
https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Computer-Data-and-
Systems/HPMS/UserIDProcess.
FAQs
- “What is the purpose of the HPMS Plan Connectivity Data Module?”
- “How can I submit my Plan Connectivity Data to CMS?”
- “What steps must be completed after entering PCD data into the module?”
- “What should I do if my plan uses a third-party for data transfer with CMS?”
- “Where can I access additional guidance on data exchange preparedness for CMS?”
