CMS Extends Participation in Bundled Payments for Care Improvement by Two Years – CMS has offered awardees the opportunity to extend participation in Models 2, 3, and 4 of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement program through September 30, 2018. These awardees, who had joined the program when it began in October 2013, were scheduled to end participation on September 30, 2016. The CMS Blog piece detailing the offer is available here.
Comments on Drug Discounts Penalty Rule Reopened until May 19th – HHS has extended the comment period for the proposed rule entitled “340B Drug Pricing Program Ceiling Price and Manufacturer Civil Monetary Penalties Regulation.” The proposed rule would establish civil monetary penalties for drug manufacturers that charge safety-net providers too much for medications under a federal discount program. The comment period now ends May 19, 2016, as reported in the Federal Register.
CMS Postpones Release Of Hospital Star Ratings – Following congressional and industry questions about the methodology CMS used to determine hospital-quality ratings, CMS has reportedly postponed the expected release date for hospital star ratings from April 2016 to July 2016. One problem identified was the average score ratings received by certain hospitals generally recognized as top-notch hospitals, leading to questions about whether the scores fairly assess the quality of care at hospitals with different patient populations.
Medicare Issues Proposed Rule on Payment Rates for SNFs – On April 21, 2016, CMS issued a proposed rule that updates the payment rates used under the prospective payment system (PPS) for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for FY 2017. CMS estimates that the economic impact of the proposed rule is an approximate increase of $800 million in aggregate payments to SNFs in FY 2017. Comments to the proposed rule are due by June 20, 2016.
Medicare Issues Proposed Rule on Payment Rates for Hospices – On April 21, 2016, CMS issued a proposed rule that updates the hospice wage index, payment rates, and cap amount for FY 2017. The rule also proposes changes to the hospice quality reporting program and proposes new quality measures. The overall economic impact of this proposed rule is estimated to be $330 million in increased payments to hospices during FY 2017. Comments are due by June 20, 2016.
Medicare Issues Proposed Rule on Payment Rates for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities – On April 21, 2016, CMS issued a proposed rule that updates the prospective payment rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for FY 2017. The proposed rule also seeks to revise quality measures and reporting requirements under the quality reporting program. CMS estimates that the proposed rule will provide approximately $125 million in increased payments to IRFs during FY 2017. The proposed rule also provides a two percentage point reduction for IRFs not reporting certain quality information. Comments are due by June 20, 2016.
