OPPS final rule keeps site-neutral payments and 340B cuts; finalizes transparency requirements separately
The controversial major hospital payment cuts in the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) final rule were retained from the proposed rule even though hospitals successfully have challenged them in federal court.
Dec. 16-20: CMS comment deadlines are among upcoming healthcare finance developments
A complete listing of healthcare finance-related hearings, conferences, webinars, public forums and deadlines for the week of Dec. 16.
Analysis: ChenMed moves into new territory
ChenMed’s entrance into new markets will likely have an impact on ambulatory-sensitive ED visits and admissions for underserved Medicare Advantage patients.
Analysis: Timeline for CMS’s mandatory radiation oncology model appears to slip
It’s not surprising CMMI has slowed its pace on finalizing the proposed mandatory radiation oncology payment model given the complexity of the model and stakeholder opposition.
NFP hospital finances improve, Moody’s finds
Moody’s changed its outlook for not-for-profit hospitals from negative to neutral for 2020, citing improved revenue.
Analysis: More options for providers looking to directly contract with employers for episodes of care
Platforms like Carrum Health’s are meeting the demands of employers for higher-value care and the providers who want to meet these demands.
47 hospitals have closed in 2019, MedPAC reports
Hospital closures have doubled so far in 2019, compared with 2018, according to a MedPAC analysis.
4 goals for bundled payment: How a hospital succeeded under BPCI-A
Abington Hospital has enjoyed success under the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced model by focusing on four key goals, including identifying episodes with sufficient opportunities to reduce costs below CMS’s target prices.
ACA tax drove 2018 healthcare spending acceleration, CMS actuaries find
National healthcare expenditures in 2018 increased slightly overall but declined as a share of the economy, according to a report from the CMS Office of the Actuary.
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.