Congresswoman Urges CMS to Delay Implementation of the Two-Midnights Rule

Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) sent a dear colleague letter to members of Congress Sept. 20 asking them to urge the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to delay implementation of the two midnights rule by six months. The two midnights rule refers to a requirement in the fiscal year (FY) 2014 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) final rule. The rule states that inpatient admissions would be presumed reasonable and necessary for Medicare beneficiaries who require more than a one-day stay. Schwartz cites concern that hospitals may be undercompensated for providing necessary services that do not meet the new criteria and may face administrative challenges in complying with the new rule. America’s Essential Hospitals urges members to ask their House representatives to sign the letter.