CMS has introduced new instructions for reporting a Medicare beneficiary’s date of death that are expected to go into effect July 13, 2026. 
 
CMS released updated claims processing guidance on June 11. Key changes include guidelines on how to correct errors around the beneficiary’s date of death in Medicare records and how to submit a claim adjustment after discovering an error. 
 
The instructions also detail how to adjust claims that reports a date of death, but the patient is still alive, or how to correct incorrect information submitted by a family member or other authorized agent, such as a funeral director.  
 
To view the change request, visit https://www.cms.gov/files/document/r13826cp.pdf.