Medicare outpatient payments to hospitals won’t rise considerably in 2024, according to a proposed rule
Medicare’s newly proposed outpatient payment update for 2024 is unlikely to be greeted with enthusiasm by hospitals. The update for items and services provided in the hospital outpatient or ambulatory surgical center setting would be 2.8%, mirroring the proposed change for inpatient payments. The base update would be 3%, with a statutorily required productivity adjustment…
MedPAC takes aim at the Medicare wage index and reiterates support for site-neutral payment
In its semiannual report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommends significant changes to two key aspects of Medicare policy: the wage index and site-neutral payment. 1. A revamp of the wage index The wage index consistently generates concern among healthcare stakeholders, including in Medicare’s FY24 proposed rule for hospital inpatient payments. According…
Medicare’s proposed FY24 update to inpatient payments falls short, hospitals say
Hospitals are less than pleased with Medicare’s proposed FY24 payment update for inpatient care. In proposed regulations, the net inpatient payment update is 2.8% after factoring in a mandatory productivity adjustment of -0.2 percentage points. As usual, the update would be reduced for any hospital that does not fulfill quality-reporting requirements or qualify as a…
Medicare’s proposed increase for inpatient payments in FY23 doesn’t meet hospitals’ expectations
The hospital industry expressed disappointment with the proposed increase for inpatient payments in FY23.
CMS issues FY23 proposed payment rules for hospices, inpatient psychiatric facilities and inpatient rehabilitation facilities
CMS has released proposed FY23 rules governing prospective payments to hospices, inpatient psychiatric facilities and inpatient rehabilitation facilities.
The Medicare area wage index likely needs a revamp, MedPAC members say
Wage index adjustments leave some hospitals at a disadvantage and are costly for the Medicare program, according to policy advisers.
Increased Medicare payments for COVID-19 care to stretch back to late January
Medicare will pay add-on bonuses for hospitals' patients treated with COVID-19 as far back as late January, says CMS.
OPPS final rule keeps site-neutral payments and 340B cuts, leaves out transparency requirement
The Medicare OPPS final rule will continue 340B and site-neutral payment cuts but leaves out the requirement to post rates negotiated with health plans.
Small Medicare payment increases in store for post-acute care
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued final rules with FY20 rates for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and hospices.
12 details to know about the IPPS final rule
CMS issued a final rule for Medicare hospital IPPS payments in FY20.