The CMS 2015 IPPS final rule – 5 critical areas beyond the rate increase

Description

Abstract: The CMS recently issued its final rule updating the federal FY 2015 Medicare payment policies and rates under the IPPS. While the 1.4% increase to payment rates for general acute care hospitals has received much of the attention, the rule also addresses five other critical areas: hospital-acquired conditions, reduction of readmissions, value-based purchasing, quality reporting, and price transparency. This article looks at the details, while a sidebar discusses disproportionate share hospital payments and uncompensated care.