The Aug. 1 final rule includes numerous policy and payment changes, including a 3.1 percent increase to inpatient payment rates, changes to the Medicare disproportionate share hospital payment calculation, and revised graduate medical education policies.
view more »CMS Issues FY 2024 IPPS Final Rule
Aug. 3, 2023 ||The rule includes changes to the calculation of Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments and payment and quality reporting provisions.
view more »The final rule for the fiscal year 2024 Inpatient Prospective Payment System will undermine the nation’s essential hospitals and safety net care for low-income and marginalized patients with its harmful policies on disproportionate share hospital funding.
view more »CMS Finalizes Inclusion of MA Days in Medicare DSH Calculation
June 13, 2023 ||The final rule retroactively affects the calculation of Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments from fiscal years 2005 to 2013.
view more »Association Comments on FY 2024 IPPS Proposed Rule
June 9, 2023 ||The association urged CMS to increase the proposed annual hospital payment update and adopt a safety net hospital definition and related payment policies.
view more »Association Comments on Proposed Medicare DSH Payment Rule
May 2, 2023 ||The association urged CMS to withdraw its proposal to exclude patient days related to uncompensated care pools from the Medicare disproportionate share hospital funding calculation.
view more »The proposal includes numerous policy and payment changes to Medicare’s Inpatient Prospective Payment System for fiscal year 2024, including a 2.8 percent increase in inpatient payment rates.
view more »CMS Releases FY 2024 IPPS Proposed Rule
April 11, 2023 ||The proposed fiscal year 2024 Inpatient Prospective Payment System rule includes a request for feedback on defining safety net hospitals; CMS will accept comments until June 9.
view more »Statement on FY 2024 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule
April 10, 2023 ||Essential hospitals appreciate the proposed rule's provisions on equity and defining safety net hospitals but are concerned about a proposed $200 million reduction to Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments and a lackluster base payment rate increase.
view more »MedPAC Proposal Would Disadvantage Safety Net Providers, Patients
March 15, 2023 ||The commission’s Medicare safety net index methodology fails to account for all the nation’s safety net hospitals by overlooking uncompensated care and care provided to non-Medicare, low-income patients — especially Medicaid beneficiaries.
view more »The agency proposes to limit the types of patient days associated with Section 1115 waivers that are included in the Medicaid fraction of the hospital’s disproportionate patient percentage.
view more »CMS Proposes to Revise Medicare DSH Calculation
Feb. 28, 2023 ||CMS proposes to limit the types of Medicaid Section 1115 waiver days that can be included when calculating a hospital’s disproportionate patient percentage.
view more »In a new podcast series by a physician at association member NYC Health + Hospitals, Beth Feldpush, DrPH, the association's senior vice president of policy and advocacy, unpacks the complex patchwork of payments that keep essential hospitals afloat.
view more »Association Comments on FY 2023 IPPS Proposed Rule
June 20, 2022 ||America's Essential Hospitals commented on several policy proposals of interest to essential hospitals and responded to requests for information on maternal health, equity, and climate change.
view more »CMS Releases FY 2023 IPPS Proposed Rule
April 19, 2022 ||The proposed fiscal year 2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System rule would increase operating payment rates by 3.2 percent and make other changes to Medicare payment and quality reporting policies. CMS is accepting comments on the proposed rule until June 17.
view more »Essential Hospitals Welcome Equity Focus in IPPS Proposed Rule
April 18, 2022 ||We welcome the focus on improving equity in today’s FY 2023 IPPS proposed rule, including in proposals related to climate change and maternal health.
view more »A final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses the distribution of 1,000 new graduate medical education slots and other policies.
view more »In a letter to Democratic congressional leadership, the association urges consideration of essential hospital priorities — including funding for critical workforce and hospital infrastructure needs and protecting the 340B Drug Pricing Program — in forthcoming budget reconciliation legislation.
view more »The rule includes numerous policy and payment changes for Medicare’s Inpatient Prospective Payment System for fiscal year 2022, including a 2.5 percent increase in inpatient payment rates.
view more »CMS Releases FY 2022 IPPS Final Rule
Aug. 9, 2021 ||CMS on Aug. 2 released its fiscal year 2022 Inpatient Prospective Payment System final rule, which includes payment and quality reporting provisions. The rule does not finalize provisions related to new residency slots, organ acquisition costs, or Section 1115 waiver days.
view more »A proposed rule from CMS includes numerous changes for Medicare’s Inpatient Prospective Payment System for fiscal year 2022, including a 2.8 percent increase in inpatient payment rates and updates to quality reporting programs and the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
view more »CMS Releases FY 2022 IPPS Proposed Rule
April 28, 2021 ||The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed fiscal year 2022 Inpatient Prospective Payment System rule would increase operating payment rates by 2.8 percent, repeal market-based data collection, and add 1,000 new graduate medical education teaching slots, among other provisions.
view more »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.
view more »CMS Finalizes FY 2021 IPPS Rule
Sept. 3, 2020 ||The finalized fiscal year 2021 Inpatient Prospective Payment System rule includes payment and quality reporting provisions. The rule goes into effect Oct. 1; CMS has waived the 60-day delay in effective date due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
view more »CMS Rule Addresses Medicare DSH Payment Calculation
Aug. 18, 2020 ||The agency announced that Medicare Part C enrollee days, otherwise known as Medicare Advantage days, would be included in the calculation of the Medicare fraction used to determine Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments for years prior to fiscal year 2014.
view more »The proposed rule would increase inpatient payment rates by 3.1 percent, reduce Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments by about $0.9 billion compared with fiscal year 2020, and collect median third-party charge data on Medicare cost reports.
view more »CMS Releases FY 2021 IPPS Proposed Rule
May 12, 2020 ||The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released its proposed fiscal year 2021 Inpatient Prospective Payment System rule, which includes payment and quality reporting provisions.
view more »HHS Distributes Targeted COVID-19 Relief Payments
May 4, 2020 ||This targeted allocation distributes $12 billion to 395 hospitals that provided inpatient care for 100 or more COVID-19 patients through April 10. Of that total, $2 billion is allocated to hospitals based on Medicare and Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) and uncompensated care payments.
view more »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.
view more »CMS Publishes Final Rule for FY 2020 Medicare IPPS
Aug. 4, 2019 ||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.
view more »Association Comments on FY 2020 IPPS Proposed Rule
June 25, 2019 ||America’s Essential Hospitals encouraged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to consider the disproportionately negative financial effect on essential hospitals of certain quality reporting requirements and administrative burden in the Promoting Interoperability Programs.
view more »Supreme Court Issues Ruling in Medicare DSH Allina Case
June 10, 2019 ||The decision does not impact ongoing litigation challenging Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System policies or Medicaid disproportionate share hospital third-party payer policy.
view more »June 24 Deadline to Review Proposed Medicare DSH Amounts
May 28, 2019 ||An America's Essential Hospitals analysis identified more than 300 hospitals with mismatching fiscal year 2015 uncompensated care values compared with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' provided Factor 3 values.
view more »CMS Issues FY 2020 IPPS Proposed Rule
April 24, 2019 ||A new proposed rule would increase inpatient operating payment rates by 3.2 percent and make other changes to Medicare payment and quality reporting policies. CMS is accepting comments on the proposed rule until June 24.
view more »CMS Revises Medicare DSH Payment Amounts for FY 2019
Oct. 2, 2018 ||A new notice makes technical and typographical corrections to the fiscal year 2019 Inpatient Prospective Payment System final rule.
view more »CMS Issues FY 2019 IPPS Final Rule
Aug. 6, 2018 ||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.
view more »Association Comments on Annual Medicare Inpatient Payment Rule
June 29, 2018 ||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.
view more »CMS Issues FY 2019 IPPS Proposed Rule
April 25, 2018 ||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.
view more »Hear a cost report expert explain the recent changes to worksheet S-10 of the Medicare cost report and share best practices for accurate completion to capture all of your uncompensated care.
view more »CMS Releases Q&A Document on Worksheet S-10
Jan. 3, 2018 ||The guidance defines courtesy discounts, defines when a bad debt is "written off," provides clarity about unpaid coinsurance and deductibles, and more.
view more »CMS Extends Worksheet S-10 Deadline to Jan. 2
Nov. 2, 2017 ||The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services previously had extended the revision deadline to Oct. 31, following numerous changes to the worksheet S-10.
view more »CMS Revises Worksheet S-10, Extends Revision Deadline
Oct. 6, 2017 ||Hospitals use the worksheet S-10 to submit uncompensated care data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; the agency will begin using the worksheet to calculate Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments in fiscal year 2018.
view more »The new rule would affect inpatient operating payments, Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments, and the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.
view more »CMS To Accept Additional Year of Revised S-10 Worksheets
Aug. 4, 2017 ||The announcement to allow revisions to fiscal year (FY) 2014 worksheets is important because the agency will use FY 2014 data to calculate FY 2018 Medicare disproportionate share hospital compensation.
view more »CMS Issues FY 2018 IPPS Final Rule
Aug. 4, 2017 ||The final rule updates Medicare inpatient rates to acute care hospitals by 1.21 percent, provides flexibility in reporting of electronic clinical quality measures, and changes the payment adjustment methodology for the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.
view more »CMS To Accept Revised Uncompensated Care Worksheets
July 24, 2017 ||The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will allow hospitals to submit revisions to Worksheet S-10 of their Medicare cost report for fiscal year 2015 by Sept. 30.
view more »Association Comments on 2018 Medicare Inpatient Payment Proposals
June 13, 2017 ||America’s Essential Hospitals encourages CMS to improve transparency, risk adjust, and reduce regulatory burden for essential hospitals.
view more »The rule would raise inpatient operating payment rates, revise Medicare DSH payment methodology, and apply a transitional methodology for HRRP penalties.
view more »CMS Issues FY 2018 IPPS Proposed Rule
April 17, 2017 ||The rule contains provisions on the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, Medicare DSH, the Inpatient Quality Reporting program, and more.
view more »The policy team at America's Essential Hospitals discussed the regulatory outlook for the next year, including key policy issues on the horizon.
view more »On the Hill: ACA Repeal Fails, Association Shifts Focus to DSH
March 28, 2017 ||House GOP leadership pulled the bill due to inadequate support; the association now resumes its focus on other hospital-related issues, including DSH cuts.
view more »Attendees heard about the current status of health care legislation, including efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
view more »CMS Revises Uncompensated Care Worksheet
Dec. 20, 2016 ||Of particular interest to essential hospitals, CMS revised the Worksheet S-10, which hospitals use to report uncompensated care data.
view more »In this webinar we looked back at the 2016 advocacy landscape, discussed the progress we have made on key issues affecting essential hospitals, reviewed our interaction with the Trump transition team, and looked forward to 2017. Webinar Recording
view more »How will the election impact the future of health care policy?
view more »CMS Revises Medicare DSH, Wage Index Figures
Oct. 4, 2016 ||CMS says it miscalculated some hospitals' uncompensated care share and provided the incorrect wage index reclassification status of four hospitals.
view more »Deadline Approaching To Amend FY 2014 Medicare Cost Report
Sept. 14, 2016 ||The deadline for hospitals to amend their Medicare cost report Worksheet S-10 for fiscal year 2014 is Sept. 30.
view more »The rule addresses the controversial two-midnight policy, Medicare DSH, the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, Value-Based Purchasing, and more.
view more »CMS Issues FY 2017 IPPS Final Rule
Aug. 3, 2016 ||The rule includes the annual payment update to inpatient payment rates and changes to the Medicare disproportionate share hospital payment methodology.
view more »Association Gives Feedback on IPPS Proposed Rule
June 22, 2016 ||America's Essential Hospitals gave feedback on Medicare DSH payments, payments associated with the two-midnight policy, and quality reporting programs.
view more »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.
view more »Aggregate data collected by the association will help inform advocacy on disproportionate share hospital payments and other funding support.
view more »New group for members who want to take an active role in defending against Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment cuts.
view more »On the Hill: Appropriations Debate, Tax Extenders, Medicare DSH
Dec. 9, 2015 ||Congress debates omnibus appropriations measure, considers another stop-gap funding bill, as deadline for government shutdown looms.
view more »Association Members Advocate on Hill for Essential Hospitals
Nov. 10, 2015 ||Member leaders attend more than 100 meetings with lawmakers and congressional staff as part of fall Policy Assembly. Event also included insights from policymakers and a Capitol Hill reception honoring 2015 Gage Award recipients.
view more »On the Hill: ACA Repeal, Help for the VA
July 29, 2015 ||The Senate fails to repeal the ACA but will keep trying. Committees discuss HHS priorities and health care bills, including a bundle of hospital-related bills.
view more »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.
view more »New association materials include messaging on Medicaid DSH, Medicare, risk adjustment for sociodemographic status, 340B, and more.
view more »In a new policy brief, America's Essential Hospitals describes how billions of dollars in reductions to Medicaid and Medicare funding threaten care at essential hospitals.
view more »Review the results and impact of the 2014 midterm elections, and share strategies on preparing for the 114th Congress.
view more »The final rule updates Medicare payment policies, rates for inpatient stays at general acute care hospitals, and provisions related to quality improvement programs.
view more »On April 30, CMS issued the IPPS proposed rule for fiscal year 2015. The rule updates Medicare payment policies, rates for inpatient stays at general acute care hospitals, and provisions related to quality improvement programs. CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule through June 30.
view more »CMS Issues FY 2015 IPPS Proposed Rule
May 5, 2014 ||CMS released the FY 2015 proposed IPPS rule April 30. The proposed rule updates Medicare payment policies and rates for inpatient stays at general acute care hospitals, as well as provisions regarding quality improvement programs.
view more »A review of the potential implications for essential hospitals
view more »Summary of Proposed Medicare DSH Regulations
Nov. 25, 2013 ||Medicare DSH payments compensate hospitals for costs associated with low-income patient care
view more »Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Rules and Comments
Nov. 25, 2013 ||Hospitals that treat a large share of low-income patients receive add-on payments to the amount designated by IPPS
view more »Rule finalizes several inpatient prospective payment system provisions
view more »Rule also finalizes use of Medicaid and low-income Medicare inpatient days as uncompensated care proxy
view more »Association urges CMS to accurately capture uncompensated care data to implement Medicare DSH cuts
view more »Rule proposes several inpatient prospective payment system provisions
view more »Most health care spending outside of Medicare and Medicaid was subject to cuts
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