The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized a major restructuring of the Medicare Shared Savings Program, dubbed “Pathways to Success.” According to CMS, the program changes “are designed to increase savings for the Trust Funds and mitigate losses, reduce gaming opportunities, and promote regulatory flexibility and free-market principles.” Most notably, CMS is … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is requesting public comments on actual or perceived conflicts of interest that could arise when Medicare-approved accrediting organizations (AOs) also offer fee-based consulting services for Medicare-participating providers and suppliers. Such services — which CMS points out are not currently prohibited by law or regulation — may include: … Continue Reading
Medicare end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system (PPS) payments are expected to increase by 1.6% — or about $210 million — in calendar year (CY) 2019 under the final rule published on November 14, 2018. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has adopted a CY 2019 ESRD PPS base rate of $235.27, … Continue Reading
The Trump Administration is considering a controversial plan, the International Pricing Index (IPI) model, which would tie Medicare Part B prescription drug payment rates to amounts paid for such drugs in other developed countries. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ proposed IPI model also would replace the current “buy and bill” system for Part … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has confirmed that it expects to have a “temporary gap” in the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program (CBP) during calendar years 2010-2020. As a result, beginning January 1, 2019, Medicare beneficiaries may receive DMEPOS items from any Medicare-enrolled supplier until such time … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) final calendar year 2019 Medicare home health prospective payment system (HH PPS) rule boosts rates by 2.2% next year and ushers in broader case-mix methodology reforms for 2020. With regard to the 2019 update, the final rule increases HH PPS rates by 2.2% ($420 million) compared with 2018 … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed revising its rules governing the process Medicare beneficiaries, providers, and suppliers use to appeal adverse determinations regarding claims for Medicare Part A and Part B benefits or determinations for Part D prescription drug coverage. According to CMS, the revisions “would help streamline the appeals process … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is holding a Town Hall Meeting on December 4, 2018 to discuss fiscal year (FY) 2020 applications for add-on payments for new medical services and technologies under the Medicare inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS). Interested parties will have an opportunity to present recommendations and data regarding whether … Continue Reading
CMS has issued a proposed rule intended streamline the Medicare and Medicaid regulatory burden on numerous types of providers and suppliers. CMS generally classifies the proposals as falling into the following categories: (1) those that simplify and streamline processes, (2) those that reduce the frequency of activities and revise timelines, and (3) those that address … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing a “new direction” for the Medicare Shared Savings Program, with changes to Medicare accountable care organization (ACO) requirements designed to increase Medicare savings and reduce “gaming opportunities.” In a press release announcing the “Pathways to Success” redesign, CMS Administrator Seema Verma asserts that “after six … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its final rule updating the Medicare inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment system (PPS) for fiscal year (FY) 2019. The following are highlights of the lengthy rule, which is scheduled to be published August 17, 2018. IPPS Payments to Rise … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expects Medicare payments to inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) to increase by 1.3% ($105 million) in fiscal year (FY) 2019 under the final IRF prospective payment system (PPS) rule. For FY 2019, the IRF PPS update factor is 1.35%, based on an IRF market basket update of 2.9%, … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized its annual update to Medicare skilled nursing facility (SNF) PPS rates and policies for fiscal year (FY) 2019, without significant changes to the rule as proposed. Most notably, CMS adopted the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) case mix classification system. The PDPM, which will replace the existing … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized its FY 2019 update to Medicare hospice rates and policies. As forecast in the May 8, 2018 proposed rule, CMS is increasing FY 2019 hospice rates by 1.8% ($340 million), based on a 2.9% inpatient hospital market basket update that is reduced by both a … Continue Reading
CMS has published its final rule to update fiscal year (FY) 2019 rates and policies for Medicare inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) services. CMS estimates that the final rule will increase payments by a total of $50 million (1.1%) compared to FY 2018 levels. The final rule provides for a 1.35% payment update for FY 2019, … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has determined that it should extend for an additional six months its current moratoria on the Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollment of new home health agencies (HHAs) and Part B nonemergency ground ambulance suppliers in selected states. Under the latest notice, the moratoria … Continue Reading
CMS has issued its proposed rule to update Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System rates and policies for calendar year (CY) 2019. In addition to providing routine annual updates, the proposed rule includes several provisions intended to encourage “site-neutral payments” for different types of providers. CMS also … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its proposed Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS) rule for calendar year (CY) 2019. In addition to updating rates for physician services, the sweeping rule proposes changes to numerous other Medicare Part B policies. Highlights of the proposed rule include the following: CMS proposes a 2019 … Continue Reading
Agency Anticipates Temporary Lapse in Competitive Bidding Program after 2018 CMS is proposing a number of changes to Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) reimbursement policies for 2019, including fee schedule adjustments to account for a “temporary lapse” in the competitive bidding program (CBP). Consistent with the Administration’s stated goal of reducing regulatory … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed its annual update to Medicare home health prospective payment system (HH PPS) rates for calendar year 2019, along with a broader case-mix methodology reform proposal that would be implemented beginning in 2020. With regard to the 2019 update, CMS proposes a 2.1% rate increase ($400 … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its proposed rule to update the Medicare end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system (PPS) for calendar year (CY) 2019. CMS proposes to increase the ESRD PPS base rate from $232.37 in 2018 to $235.82 in 2019 as a result of a proposed 1.5% market basket … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to rescind the authority of states to make Medicaid payments to a third party on behalf of an individual provider, rather than directly to the provider, “for benefits such as health insurance, skills training, and other benefits customary for employees,” under certain circumstances. This authority, … Continue Reading
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is considering forming a workgroup aimed at facilitating “constructive, high-level dialogue between HHS leadership and those focused on innovating and investing in the healthcare industry.” The goal of the initiative is to “spur investment, increase competition, accelerate innovation, and allow capital investment in the healthcare sector to … Continue Reading
CMS has finalized an “extreme and uncontrollable circumstances policy” for the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) payment model. Under this policy, which was prompted by severe hurricanes and wildfires, CMS will exercise flexibility in the determination of episode spending for CJR participant hospitals located in areas impacted by extreme and uncontrollable circumstances for performance … Continue Reading
