Each year the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) gives stakeholders the opportunity to publicly comment on its proposed rules and regulations. CMS recently released its Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Proposed Rule for Fiscal Year 2020.
There are a few new measures up for consideration, but still not enough to be able to directly compare ASCs and hospital outpatient departments, which is critical for both consumers and employers.
The other large focus of this proposed rule is to garner feedback on President Trump’s health care transparency Executive Order, specifically requesting feedback on price transparency. Leapfrog supports President Trump’s and CMS’ commitment to improving transparency for consumers. However, reporting of cost needs to occur concurrently with quality. Reporting price alone will not result in any substantial change. A service offered at a low price is not a bargain when quality is poor.
Leapfrog Comments on CMS Fiscal Year 2020 Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule
September 27, 2019