CMS has published the Proposed 2020 Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment Rule. The deadline for comment is September 27, 2019. The Proposed Rule contains a number of notable items including:
- Establishment of a 1-year exemption from patient status denials and referrals to RACs for procedures that are removed from the inpatient only list.
- Removal of total hip arthroplasty from the inpatient only list.
- Updated requirements for hospital charge transparency to mandate hospitals post standard charges in two separate, searchable “consumer-friendly” ways with penalties for non-compliance.
- Adoption of the physician fee schedule payment rates for clinic visit services provided in excepted off-campus provider-based departments.
- The Proposal is also seeking comments related to potential date of service reporting requirements for laboratory services.
- No changes to payment status indicators.
- No changes to quality measures.
The Proposed Rule includes many other important issues. We recommend you read the completed Proposed Rule to understand the changes and impact to your facility.
The Proposed Rule is located at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/HospitalOutpatientPPS/Hospital-Outpatient-Regulations-and-Notices-Items/CMS-1717-P.html
