CPMA Legislative Update August 2026

This summary provides a concise overview of key outcomes from the 2026 Connecticut legislative session that are of interest to podiatric physicians. It is intended to keep CPMA members informed on reimbursement updates, provider protections, and legislative issues affecting the profession.

Summary of 2026 Legislative Updates

1. Medicaid Reimbursement Increases

• CPMA members enrolled as Medicaid providers received notice from the Department of Social Services (DSS) of reimbursement increases retroactive to January 1, 2026.
• According to an informal CPMA survey, reimbursement for office visit code 99213 increased from $42.95 to $56.71, an increase of $13.76, or 32%.
• These increases resulted from the budget enacted during the 2025 legislative session. CPMA’s government relations team worked to facilitate the funding needed for the increases.
• During the 2026 session, the government relations team advocated for an additional $35 million in Medicaid reimbursement increases, which was included in the omnibus budget bill, Senate Bill 1, Public Act 26-68.
• Legislation also passed requiring DSS to review and rebase provider reimbursements at least every five years. The report notes that the last major program-wide increase occurred in 2009.

2. Insurance Clawback Period Reduced

• Under state law, health insurers have 18 months to recoup payments from podiatrists and other medical providers.
• CPMA’s government relations team has made reducing this period a priority in recent years and was part of a coalition supporting a reduction during the 2026 legislative session.
• Legislation reducing the clawback period from 18 months to 12 months passed both chambers and became law.
• The new 12-month period takes effect January 1, 2027 under House Bill 5377, Public Act 26-56.

3. Podiatric Physician Title

• Current Connecticut statute allows a DPM to use the title “Podiatric Physician.”
• CPMA’s government relations team contacted Public Health Committee leaders early in the 2026 session to request that the title issue not be revisited.
• No bill addressing the title issue was raised during the 2026 legislative session.
• CPMA’s government relations team will continue to monitor the issue.

4. Looking Ahead to the 2027 Legislative Session

• CPMA plans to propose model language for an Interstate Podiatric Medical License Compact, which would make it easier for Doctors of Podiatric Medicine to practice in multiple states.
• CPMA leaders and the government relations team met with the Public Health Committee about the issue earlier this year and were told the proposal would need to wait until the 2027 session because three other compact bills were ahead of it.
• The government relations team will continue to focus on protecting the podiatric scope of practice, including issues involving use of the title “physician” and the existing law allowing qualified Podiatric Physicians to perform total ankle replacement.

Key Takeaway

The 2026 legislative session included Medicaid reimbursement increases, passage of a law reducing the insurance clawback period from 18 to 12 months, and no legislation revisiting the use of the title “Podiatric Physician.” Looking ahead to 2027, CPMA plans to pursue an Interstate Podiatric Medical License Compact and continue monitoring issues affecting the podiatric scope of practice.