The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Measures Under Consideration Entry/Review Information Tool (CMS MERIT) is the online tool for submission of quality and efficiency measures for consideration by CMS Medicare programs. Measure developers or stewards use this tool to enter and submit the required measure information.  

CMS MERIT will open for 2026 candidate measure submissions in early 2026. Send any questions to MMSsupport@battelle.org.

CMS prefers fully developed measures. For more information on whether a measure is fully developed, please visit the Measure Selection page.

Key Updates for the 2026 Submission Cycle

• 2026 Data Template Now Available
  • The 2026 CMS MERIT Data Template is now available. This Microsoft Word template includes all questions and fields required for submission in CMS MERIT and can be used to prepare responses in advance. When CMS MERIT opens, prepared content can be copied into the tool for submission.
• Quick Start Guide for Submitters
  • Additional guidance on how to submit measures to the CMS MERIT tool.
• MIPS Peer-Review Journal Article (PRJA) Requirement
  • Candidate measures for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) must include a completed Peer-Reviewed Journal Article Template attached to the measure record in CMS MERIT.

Stay Informed 
CMS encourages measure developers to return often to the CMS MMS Hub to see new information regarding the MUC submission cycle.