On October 23, 2009, CMS published a notice rescinding a 1985 policy on “Medicare Criteria for Coverage of Inpatient Hospital Rehabilitation Services.” This policy, HCFA Ruling 85-2, established the criteria for Medicare coverage of inpatient hospital rehabilitation services. CMS notes that its August 7, 2009 final rule implementing the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system (PPS) adopted IRF coverage requirements and technical revisions to certain other IRF requirements to reflect the changes that have occurred in medical practice during the past 25 years. As a result, CMS is rescinding its 1985 policy, effective January 1, 2010.   In a related development, CMS has updated its Medicare Benefit Policy Manual to reflect the new IRF coverage conditions adopted in the FY 2010 IRF final rule, applicable to IRF discharges occurring on or after January 1, 2010. CMS also has posted a “follow-up information sheet” to assist providers in structuring their processes to satisfy the new requirements. Finally, on November 12, 2009, CMS is hosting a conference call to train IRF providers on the new policy; the registration deadline is 2:00 p.m. ET on November 11 or when available space has been filled.