In its response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, America's Essential Hospitals comments on policies for telehealth services, advanced diagnostic imaging, social determinants of health, and other Physician Fee Schedule proposals.

Proposed rules for Medicare’s OPPS and PFS for calendar year 2024 would maintain full Medicare Part B drug payment to hospitals in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, revise site-neutral payment policies, and amend price transparency policies, among other changes.

The proposed rule includes provisions for Medicare reimbursement of telehealth services, quality programs, and social determinants of health data collection.

The final rule for calendar year 2023 continues certain flexible telehealth policies, overhauls the Medicare Shared Savings Program, and revises the Quality Payment Program.

The rule finalizes the conversion factor and includes reimbursement provisions for telehealth and behavioral health services, the Quality Payment Program, and the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

The association urged CMS to adequately reimburse off-campus, provider-based departments; refine physician quality reporting; and codify a definition of essential hospitals.

A proposed rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2023 would extend telehealth regulatory flexibility, make changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program, and revise the Quality Payment Program.

Final rules for Medicare’s OPPS and PFS for CY 2022 continue Medicare Part B drug payment cuts to hospitals in the 340B Drug Pricing Program; continue site-neutral payment policies; and halt elimination of the inpatient-only (IPO) list.

The rule adjusts the conversion factor used to determine physician payment rates and includes provisions related to appropriate use criteria, Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services, vaccine payment rates, the Quality Payment Program, and the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

The calendar year 2022 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule includes provisions on Medicare payment for telehealth services, the Quality Payment Program, and more. The association also responded to a request for information on improving health equity through data collection.

Proposed rules for Medicare’s Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Physician Fee Schedule would continue Medicare Part B cuts, continue site-neutral policies, and halt the phase-out of the inpatient-only list. Both rules also contain an information request on closing the health equity gap.

The rule includes provisions related to telehealth, vaccine payment rates, the Quality Payment Program, and the Medicare Shared Savings Program; comments are due to CMS by Sept. 13.

The $2.3 trillion package to fund the government, provide new COVID-19 relief, and stimulate the economy would eliminate a $4 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments and add $3 billion to the Provider Relief Fund, among numerous other changes.

Final rules for Medicare’s Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2021 continue Medicare Part B drug payment cuts to hospitals in the 340B Drug Pricing Program and site-neutral payment policies.

CMS establishes a conversion factor of $32.41 — a decrease of $3.68 from CY 2020. The final rule also includes provisions related to Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services, the Quality Payment Program, and the Medicare Shared Savings Program.