Transparency in Coverage key dates, 2026 to 2028
The dates come from the regulation text of the October 2026 final rule. Each applies to self-funded and fully insured group plans alike.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 6, 2026 | Final rule published in the Federal Register (91 FR 63748). |
| December 7, 2026 | Rule takes effect. Until each requirement's own date below, plans keep following the current rules. |
| January 1, 2027 | For plan years beginning on or after this date, the cost information available online and on paper must also be available by phone. |
| March 6, 2027 | New requirements for the in-network rate and out-of-network allowed amount files apply, including the attestation and named official, network names and product types, and the 11-claim allowed amount threshold. |
| April 1, 2027 | First quarterly posting of the in-network rate and allowed amount files. After that: the first day of every calendar quarter (July 1, October 1, January 1, April 1). |
| September 6, 2027 | Contextual file requirements (text, taxonomy and utilization files) and the website footer link apply. |
| October 1, 2027 | First text file and first taxonomy file posted. The text file is then updated within 7 days of any change; the taxonomy file is posted every quarter. |
| July 1, 2028 | First utilization file posted, then once a year every July 1. |
Reading the dates
The rule sets two applicability dates: March 6, 2027 (five months after publication) for the main price files and September 6, 2027 (eleven months after publication) for the new contextual files and the footer link. Files are then posted on the first day of the next calendar quarter, which is why the first new postings land on April 1 and October 1, 2027.
The technical format for the files is published separately by the Departments on GitHub. Check there for the schema version your TPA or carrier will build to.
For what each change means for a self-funded plan, see the rule overview and who attests for your plan.
See what your carrier pays the hospitals near your employees
The Network Price Check compares what one insurer pays each hospital in an area for common outpatient services, with every rate taken from a line in that hospital's own posted price file. Benefits advisors get the first client report free.
Ask for a Network Price CheckSources
- Transparency in Coverage final rule, 91 FR 63748 (CMS-9882-F), published October 6, 2026, effective December 7, 2026: federalregister.gov
- Amended regulations: 26 CFR 54.9815-2715A3, 29 CFR 2590.715-2715A3 and 45 CFR 147.212.
- Technical implementation guide: https://github.com/CMSgov/price-transparency-guide
A plain-English summary for planning purposes, not legal advice. Check the rule text and your plan documents, or ask counsel, before relying on it.