The 2018 OPPS final rule, published in the Federal Register on November 13, has two changes that could affect case managers—the removal of the total knee replacement from the inpatient-only list and cuts to payments for drugs purchased through the 340B drug discount program.
This week’s Medicare updates include an extension for S-10 worksheet submission, implementation plans for computed radiography payment reductions, a new national coverage article for a genetic sequencing diagnostic test for cancer patients, and more!
OCR’s 2016 guidance on patient access opened up a debate in the industry and brought questions about fulfilling patient access requests to the foreground.
Effective January 1, 2018, Medicare payments for X-rays taken using computed radiography will be reduced by 7%, according to a policy CMS finalized in the 2018 OPPS final rule. This reduction will remain effective until 2022, and increase to 10% beginning in 2023, as required by paragraph 1848 (b)(9) of the Social Security Act.
