Medicare Proposes Payment Bump for Hospitals, Surgical Centers

Medicare wants to pay acute care hospitals $88.2 billion for outpatient services in 2025, about 2.6% more than in 2024 according to a Biden administration proposal released Wednesday.

The proposed rule (RIN 0938-AV35) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also recommends a 2.6%, or roughly $202 million, increase in Medicare payments for ambulatory surgical centers next year.

Medicare payments for hospital outpatient services would increase by $5.2 billion next year under the proposal. Medicare ambulatory surgical center payments would total $7.4 billion.

The proposal also includes new policies designed to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and to increase ...