HCBS News 2026Feb18

PACE Audit Protocol Finalized and Posted

On February 17, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the Final Audit Protocol for PACE Organizations. CMS urges PACE organizations to review the updates and prepare for upcoming audits by understanding data and documentation requests. Following the protocols does not exempt providers from compliance with applicable statutes or regulations. If factors outside of those covered in the audit protocol are identified as areas of concern or non-compliance, additional review is likely regardless of whether the policy is included in the updated Audit Protocol. Providers can view all related documents on the PACE Audits webpage. The PACE Audit overview stratifies the process into phases and timelines and allows providers a window into the CMS process and expectations in a more standardized process.