# Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Organ Procurement Organizations Conditions for Coverage: Revisions to the Conditions for Coverage

**Action Urgency Score:** 70/100

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Health and Human Services Department; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services |
| Type | Final rule |
| Action | Final rule. |
| Published | 2026-11-03 |
| Effective | 2027-01-04 |
| Significant | Yes (EO 12866) |
| CFR parts | 42 CFR 486 |
| Summary | This final rule revises the Conditions for Coverage for Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) to clarify outstanding procedural questions and provide additional operational flexibility for OPOs to achieve high performance resulting in the successful procurement, distribution, and transplantation of more life-saving organs. This rule revises definitions, revises the designation requirements for OPOs, clarifies when an OPO's service area is open for competition, and updates the process for appeals. We are committed to holding all OPOs accountable for their performance and this final rule does n |
| Document number | 2026-22381 |

## Why this score
- Upcoming deadline.
- Significant rule under EO 12866.
- Final rule.

Source: Federal Register API (Office of the Federal Register) (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/03/2026-22381/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-organ-procurement-organizations-conditions-for-coverage-revisions-to). Last refreshed: 2026-11-04T21:40:49.974Z.
Data from the Federal Register API; the published Federal Register document is authoritative. Informational only, not legal advice.