CMS issued the final rules for the 2023 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) on August 1 and, like the proposed 2023 OPPS proposed rule, there aren’t any big surprises this year.
The 2023 OPPS proposed rule is out, and it includes some minor changes to the inpatient-only list and a proposal for a new type of hospital. CMS will now host a public comment period through September 13 before finalizing the rule in early November.
CMS released a new interim final rule with comment period that grants organizations another round of flexibilities to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 public health emergency, including permitting hospitals to bill for telehealth services and loosening restrictions on COVID-19 testing.
CMS announced blanket waivers of certain Medicare requirements to prevent gaps in care for beneficiaries affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The agency released billing instructions and a set of Q&As.
With the expansion of telehealth services, providers for both the originating site and distant site can also count on the expansion of Medicare contractor audits.
Changes to HCPCS and CPT® codes, drug and biological payments, and a new separately payable procedure code are coming in April. The transmittal announcing the updates also includes clarification on the application of the modifier –FY payment reduction.