As 2026 approaches, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is at a turning point – modernizing its programs, integrating emerging technologies, and aligning policy and operations to better serve millions of Americans. The recent Looking Ahead at 2026 event brought together CMS leaders, policy experts and industry partners to explore how the agency is shaping the future of healthcare delivery through innovation and collaboration.
For RELI Group, which has long supported CMS across program integrity, analytics and modernization initiatives, the event was a continuation of a conversation we began in our preview article, Shaping the Future of CMS: Where Policy, Technology and Innovation Meet. The discussions reinforced many of the ideas raised in that piece – particularly how policy direction, funding priorities and technological innovation are converging to drive the next phase of transformation at CMS. This blog highlights five key takeaways from the event that capture where CMS, and its partners, are heading next.
1. Acquisition Reform Is Redefining How CMS Engages with Industry
The first major theme was change, specifically in how CMS conducts market research, awards contracts and manages vendor relationships. Updates to the FAR and simplified acquisition thresholds are creating a more fluid procurement environment. Instead of lengthy proposals, CMS is beginning to use alternative formats like prototype demonstrations and video submissions.
This evolution reflects CMS’ push toward agility and accountability. Contractors must stay proactive before opportunities are formalized, maintaining visibility and flexibility across multiple vehicles. At RELI, we approach this through early engagement and adaptive teaming, ensuring we’re prepared to respond as CMS’ procurement models evolve.
2. Policy and Government Modernization Are Finally Moving in Sync
Policy and technology have long operated in separate lanes, but that division is narrowing. CMS experts emphasized alignment across programs, with government modernization initiatives built to serve policy outcomes like interoperability, equity and citizen experience. Standardized data frameworks, unified systems and cross-program coordination are now viewed as essential to CMS’ mission success.
This idea of simplification without sacrifice – consolidating systems and eliminating duplicative processes, while preserving program nuance – was a key throughline in both our pre-event perspective and during the day’s discussions. CMS is now treating modernization as a holistic effort that links operational efficiency to better policy execution.
3. Healthcare Data Governance and Quality Are the Gatekeepers for AI
If 2024 and 2025 were the years of AI experimentation, 2026 will be the year of governance. CMS is moving past proof-of-concept and into implementation, but with a sharp focus on explainability, accountability and data integrity.
Machine learning models must now be transparent and traceable to earn trust. Agencies are defining clearer standards for data lineage, interoperability and ethical artificial intelligence (AI) use, ensuring systems work across program boundaries while safeguarding privacy.
This emphasis on healthcare data governance echoes RELI’s long-held belief that sustainable innovation depends on trusted, high-quality data. Our applied AI and data governance frameworks are built to ensure data foundations are clean, models are accountable, and AI outcomes align with mission goals – including working to reduce fraud, waste and abuse.
4. Technology Only Works When It’s Human-Centered
Despite all the talk of automation, the panels kept returning to one core idea: people. Whether clinicians are using data at the bedside or beneficiaries are accessing care through digital tools, modernization must be designed around users. CMS is investing in systems that are not only efficient, but also intuitive, accessible and responsive.
This reflects RELI’s belief that technology should serve people, not overwhelm them. Our human-centered design and customer experience experts work to ensure modernization efforts improve, not complicate, the daily experience of end users. The conversation around doing the “boring stuff better” reinforced that true innovation is often about simplifying complex processes so people can focus on outcomes.
5. Collaboration and Mission Alignment Will Shape 2026 and Beyond
The day’s final discussions pointed toward a future built on partnership. CMS is prioritizing collaboration between agencies, contractors and innovators to accelerate modernization while maintaining accountability. As contracting structures change and competition tightens, trusted relationships will matter more than ever.
Small and mid-sized businesses, in particular, have an opportunity to play a larger role in shaping CMS’ future – if they bring flexibility, technical depth and an understanding of federal mission delivery.
For RELI Group, that means continuing to serve as a trusted navigator for change – aligning people, processes and technology to help CMS and other agencies deliver on their mission. Our earlier preview emphasized the importance of connecting policy and technology, and this event reaffirmed that the agencies making the greatest progress are those integrating both through collaborative, mission-driven partnerships.
Looking Ahead
The Looking Ahead at 2026 event offered a clear picture of CMS’ priorities for the coming year: advancing modernization through strong governance, seamless interoperability, and a renewed focus on customer and provider experience. The conversations underscored CMS’ commitment to uniting policy and technology, turning innovation into practical improvements in service delivery, oversight and operational efficiency.
As these priorities take shape, RELI Group will continue to stand alongside CMS as a trusted partner, delivering the data-driven insights, technology solutions and human-centered strategies needed to turn these ambitions into measurable progress. Together, government and industry are building a stronger, more connected and more citizen-focused CMS for the future.
