We are pleased to share an update on NBHWC’s ongoing work to advance recognition and access to Health & Wellness Coaching (HWC), including recent engagement with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Over the past year, building on more than a decade of sustained policy, research, and implementation efforts, NBHWC leadership and members of its Research & Practice Commission have continued to build meaningful momentum in advancing recognition and access to Health & Wellness Coaching (HWC) at the national level.
Following our initial discussions engagement with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), we have remained actively engaged – meeting with CMS leadership and staff multiple times over the past seven months and submitting a series of formal communications to strengthen the case for HWC as a reimbursable, evidence-based service.
These efforts build on more than a decade of coordinated work led by NBHWC, in collaboration with an alliance of 80+ healthcare systems, employers, researchers, clinicians, and implementation partners. Together, we are working to ensure that HWC is understood, valued, and integrated as an evidence-based, scalable solution aligned with national priorities in prevention, whole-person care, chronic disease management, and access to care across communities, including underserved and remote populations.
Where Things Stand
- NBHWC and its collaborators have contributed analyses and reports reinforcing the clinical and financial case for HWC, strengthening the collective case for its integration.
- CMS has sought additional stakeholder input through recent rulemaking processes, reflecting ongoing efforts to better understand and evaluate HWC as a service, which you can find here.
- At the same time, there remains critical work to clarify the distinction between coaching and other approaches (e.g., motivational interviewing) and to ensure accurate representation of HWC’s scope and value
- NBHWC has continued to submit formal letters and executive summaries outlining clear, actionable pathways for reimbursement and implementation. The most recent of these submissions was on April 9, 2026, which you can find here.
Why This Matters
Health & Wellness Coaching is supported by a robust and growing evidence base, with demonstrated impact on whole-person care, clinical outcomes, patient experience, and healthcare utilization. It also represents a ready, standards-based workforce, with more than 14,000 board-certified coaches trained to support behavior change, self-efficacy, and sustained engagement in care aligned with individuals’ goals and clinical plans.
At a system level, HWC serves as a practical bridge between healthcare recommendations and real-world implementation – supporting individuals in aligning care with their personal vision and goals, lived context, and capacity.
Whats Next
NBHWC’s engagement with CMS leadership and staff is continuing, alongside coordinated work with partners across healthcare and policy to advance practical pathways for implementation across healthcare and wellness settings.
We will be monitoring the upcoming publication in mid-2026 of the next notice of proposed rule-making for the 2027 Medicare physician fee schedule for further signals regarding the direction of this work. Regardless of the outcome, NBHWC remains committed to advancing this effort with rigor, collaboration, and persistence.
For more information, please refer to the April 2026 CMS Advocacy FAQs.
We will continue to share updates over the coming weeks. We thank you – our community – for your engagement and support.
On behalf of the National Board of Health & Wellness Coaching:
Dr. Moain Abu Dabrh, MBBCh, MS, NBC-HWC;
Chair, Board of Directors
Deanna Fournier
Executive Director
