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Leading up to the holidays, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) proposed a number of new mandatory drug models aimed at lowering the cost of drugs for Medicare beneficiaries. The Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing (GLOBE) Model and the Guarding U.S. Medicare Against Rising Drug Costs (GUARD) Model would assess rebates for certain drugs under Medicare Parts B and D, respectively. CMMI also released a voluntary proposed model: the Better Approaches to Lifestyle and Nutrition for Comprehensive hEalth (BALANCE) Model aimed at increasing access to GLP-1 medications under Part D and Medicaid.   GLOBE Model  The GLOBE Model would assess rebates under Part B for certain drugs administered in the clinical setting; the therapeutic categories are: oncology, rheumatology, immunology, ophthalmology and endocrinology. CMS would use manufacturer rebates when the price of the drug exceeds a benchmark based on what economically comparable countries pay. As proposed, the model would run for five years, beginning October 1, 2026, and run through 2031 with rebate invoicing and reconciliation continuing into 2033.   GUARD Model  Similar to the GLOBE Model, GUARD would assess rebates for certain drugs which cost much higher in the U.S. than in economically comparable countries, but under Medicare Part D. The international benchmark would be based on either manufacturer-reported international pricing data or readily available data for countries that meet certain GDP-per-capita and real economy size thresholds. As proposed, GUARD would run for five years, beginning January 1, 2027, and run through December 31, 2031, with rebates continuing into 2033.  BALANCE Model  The BALANCE Model would allow CMS to negotiate directly with voluntarily-participating GLP-1 manufacturers on behalf of state Medicaid agencies and Part D plans to lower the cost of GLP-1 medications and increase access. CMS believes that promoting access to these drugs for weight loss will help patients increase their overall health. CMS also highlights the importance of lifestyle interventions in conjunction with weight loss drugs to decrease the prevalence of chronic disease and disability. Manufacturers, state Medicaid Agencies, and Part D plans have until January 8, 2026, to submit their applications or notices of intent. State Medicaid agencies will join in May 2026, and Part D plans in January 2027. This test model will run through December 2031.