Policies finalized for the 2021 Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System call for increasing inpatient payment rates by 2.9 percent, reducing Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments, and collecting median Medicare Advantage charge data.

An Aug. 2 final rule for Medicare’s Inpatient Prospective Payment System for fiscal year 2020 will increase inpatient operating payments and Medicare disproportionate share hospital funding and make changes to electronic health records use and quality reporting programs.

The rule increases inpatient operating payment rates by 3.1 percent, makes other payment and quality reporting policy changes, and estimates a $140 million increase in Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments.

The report includes recommendations on several issues of importance to essential hospitals, including hospital inpatient and outpatient services, hospital quality incentive programs, and alternatives to opioids.

The final rule increases Medicare inpatient payment rates to acute care hospitals by 1.85 percent, revises electronic health record requirements, and changes the payment adjustment methodology for the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.

America's Essential Hospitals urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to implement its Medicare disproportionate share hospital payment methodology and quality measurement programs in a way that accounts for the unique needs and patient populations served by essential hospitals.

A new proposed rule for Medicare’s Inpatient Prospective Payment System for fiscal year 2019 would increase inpatient operating payment rates by 1.75 percent.

The rule contains provisions on the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, Medicare DSH, the Inpatient Quality Reporting program, and more.

CMS on Dec. 19 refreshed its Hospital Compare site, including data on the Ambulatory Surgical Center Program, Hospital Readmission Reduction Program & more.

The rule addresses the controversial two-midnight policy, Medicare DSH, the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, Value-Based Purchasing, and more.

America's Essential Hospitals gave feedback on Medicare DSH payments, payments associated with the two-midnight policy, and quality reporting programs.

A new proposed rule for Medicare’s Inpatient Prospective Payment System would reverse the controversial two-midnight policy payment cut and make numerous other policy and payment changes, including to quality reporting programs.

Hospital performance data for FY 2016 available on Hospital Compare; hospitals in bottom quartile face 1 percent Medicare payment cut.

Report on National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care details progress made toward better care, lower costs, and improved health.

Rule includes a net increase in IPPS payment rates of 0.9 percent, Medicare DSH cuts of $1.2 billion in FY 2016, and updates to the HAC Reduction, Hospital VBP, IQR, and EHR Incentive programs.

Comments caution CMS about Medicare DSH payment cuts and urge CMS to ensure measures and methodologies used in quality reporting programs are adjusted for sociodemographic factors.

May 29 webinar will focus on quality reporting program proposals, impact of changes to HAC Reduction Program and Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.

The rule includes provisions on several topics, including a payment update, Medicare disproportionate share hospital cuts, Medicare payment for short inpatient hospital stays, and the Readmissions Reduction Program.

Preliminary estimates show that hospital patients experienced 1.3 million fewer hospital-acquired conditions from 2010 to 2013.

CMS is compiling three TEPs to provide technical input to CMS contractors on the development, selection, and maintenance of quality measures. Nominations are due Sept. 12 and Sept. 19.

Comments cover topics such as Medicare disproportionate share hospital payment cuts and risk adjustment for socioeconomic status.

The OIG and HHS FY 2014 work plan includes several Medicare and Medicaid projects. These projects cover the following topics including inpatient admission criteria, E&M payments, IME, and provider taxes.

Rule implements proposed provisions in the Affordable Care Act

Rule includes proposed formula to make Medicare DSH reductions under ACA