CMS’ 2019 OPPS proposed rule, released in late July, continues the agency’s efforts to enforce site-neutral payments and reduce drug payments by introducing policies to reduce reimbursement for hospital outpatient clinic visits at off-campus, provider-based departments.
Continuing with numerous specific requests for comment in last year’s OPPS proposed rule, CMS is once again asking stakeholders for feedback on a variety of issues for the 2019 OPPS proposed rule for future potential rulemaking. You may submit comments to the agency until September 24, 2018.
This week’s Medicare updates include the Outpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule, a video on the proposed changes to evaluation and management coding, the July edition of the Patients Over Paperwork newsletter, and more!
Hospitals continue to acquire or affiliate more closely with physician practices at a breakneck speed to operate more effectively under value-based purchasing or accountable care organization reimbursement models. But many organizations struggle with how to integrate their different EHR systems, forms, and templates long after the physicians become hospital employees.
Along with quality measure removals in the 2018 OPPS and MPFS final rules, CMS has continued to propose additional removals in the 2019 proposed rules. In addition, the agency is proposing to add to its ability to remove quality measures in the future.