CMS released its annual hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule, which increases inpatient payments by 3.4% ($4.1 billion) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. Hospitals will still be at risk for up to a 6% payment reduction based on their performance in CMS’ pay-for-performance programs. The proposal also takes significant steps towards transparency in the Medicare program. Comments on the rule are due on June 25th. Below is an outline of the major policies proposed. If you have any comments or recommendations on these proposals, please contact us.

• Transparency
• Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program
• Inpatient Quality Reporting Program
• Meaningful Use Program
• Uncompensated Care Costs
• Graduate Medical Education
• Long-Term Care Hospitals
• Hospital Inpatient Admission Orders
• Cost Reports Supporting Documentation

Also in Policy Brief:

• Price Transparency: Hospitals in the Spotlight
• Gun Violence: A Public Health Epidemic
• 340B Program Update
• A Look at The Federal Register