# US Medicare regulatory and eligibility changes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-medicare-regulatory-and-eligibility-changes > Updated: 2026-09-07T10:00:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced several regulatory changes affecting Medicare eligibility, payment rates, and provider enrollment. Proposed rules for 2027 include updates to home health payment rates and new eligibility restrictions for certain immigrant groups. Following the Budget Reconciliation Act of 2025, Medicare eligibility would be limited to U.S. citizens, nationals, Lawful Permanent Residents, certain Cuban or Haitian entrants, and individuals under the Compact of Free Association. Groups such as refugees, asylees, and those with Temporary Protected Status would lose Medicare eligibility. Further developments include the permanent implementation of telehealth enrollment flexibilities, allowing some practitioners to use physical practice locations rather than home addresses for billing. Additionally, a six-month nationwide moratorium on new Medicare home health and hospice providers has been implemented to combat fraud. While intended to protect program integrity, the moratorium has raised concerns regarding potential reductions in patient access and increased wait times in underserved areas. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-07: Medicare updates telehealth enrollment and implements provider moratorium CMS has made telehealth enrollment flexibilities permanent, while a nationwide moratorium on new Medicare home health providers aims to fight fraud despite concerns over patient access. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/medicare-updates-telehealth-enrollment-and-implements-provider-moratorium ### 2026-08-31: CMS proposes Medicare eligibility changes and home health rate updates CMS has proposed new rules for 2027 affecting Medicare payment rates for home health services and restricting eligibility for certain lawfully present immigrant groups. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cms-proposes-medicare-eligibility-changes-and-home-health-rate-updates --- Cite as: US Medicare regulatory and eligibility changes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-medicare-regulatory-and-eligibility-changes