HHS Ignores Courts, Moves Ahead With Site-Neutral Payment Policy

The Trump administration will ignore a losing court decision and push ahead in 2020 with a plan for Medicare to pay the same rate for medical services provided at doctors’ offices and at off-campus, hospital-based clinics.

But a controversial proposal to require hospitals to disclose standard prices for medical services and discounted rates paid by health insurers is delayed. The final rule didn’t include that provision as officials continue to refine it.

Medicare is projected to save $650 million next year under the so-called “site-neutral” policy, while program beneficiaries would save another $160 million in out-of-pocket costs under the payment ...