CMS Proposes Hospital Payment Rule to Cut Cost, Add Transparency

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule to update Medicare payment policies for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services to modernize payments and enhance hospital accountability.

• Proposed changes designed to reduce out-of-pocket costs, expand choice, increase hospital accountability and safeguard the Medicare Trust Fund from waste and abuse, according to a statement
• CMS projects proposals would save nearly $11b over next 10 years
• Proposal would affect around 3,500 hospitals and 6,100 ASCs
• In accordance with Medicare law, CMS proposes updating the Outpatient Prospective Payment System payment rates for hospitals that meet applicable quality ...