What did CMS change for immunizations in 2026?

CMS will remove pediatric, adolescent, and prenatal vaccine measures from the 2026 Medicaid/CHIP Core Sets and discourage states from tying payment to vaccine metrics. Plans must still cover vaccines, but core quality scoring and incentive payments will pivot to other measures selected by states.

Does this mean plans stop promoting vaccines?

No. Immunizations remain covered and clinically important. The change targets how plans are scored and paid, not whether members get vaccines. Health agencies continue to recommend shots, and plans may keep outreach for clinical value even if incentives shift to other outcome-focused measures.

How could the change affect Centene stock?

Centene could see less revenue at risk from vaccine gap-closure and more tied to maternal, behavioral, and chronic outcomes. The impact depends on each state’s new scorecard and withhold levels. Investors should watch contract updates, 2026 guidance, and medical loss ratio commentary for margin effects.

What should investors track next?

Monitor state contracts for revised measure sets, quality withholds, and documentation rules. On February 10, 2026, watch management’s guidance for 2026 incentives, admin costs for reporting changes, and care-management shifts. Price action around book value and free cash flow trends can help frame risk and reward.

Law and Government

CNC Stock Today: January 02 — CMS Drops Vaccine Metrics for Medicaid

ByDanny Kontos January 3, 2026January 3, 2026

Immunizations sit at the center of today’s policy shift. CMS will remove pediatric, adolescent, and prenatal vaccine measures from the 2026 Medicaid/CHIP Core Sets and discourage states from tying payments to vaccine metrics. For Medicaid-focused plans like CNC, the change could reset Medicaid quality measures, reporting costs, and incentive pools in 2026. We review what this means for Centene stock, where valuation stands, and what investors should track as states adjust contracts and quality withholds ahead of the next earnings update.