In response to a letter by Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) asking for a delay in the implementation of the Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system proposed rule for FY07, CMS Administrator Mark McClellan implied that the final rule may reflect changes in the transition period. McClellan wrote that the public comment period for the proposed rule generated many “constructive comments,” including “what transition steps are needed to avoid any disruptions from sudden changes in the payment system, and what steps can be taken to limit any short-term impact of the proposal.” The final rule that will be issued on Aug. 1 will “reflect modifications” to “achieve the goal of smooth and effective implementation,” wrote McClellan. “Clearly, any changes to make hospital payments more accurate should be implemented in a way that causes the least disruption to the healthcare system.”
