News: 2017 OPPS rule released

CMS proposed a number of outpatient prospective policies in the calendar year (CY) 2017 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System policy changes, quality provisions, and payment rates proposed rule, released by the agency on July 6.

According to a release from CMS, the organization plans to implement Section 603 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, which will affect how Medicare pays for certain items and services in off-campus outpatient departments and provider-based departments. In response to concerns raised by healthcare providers on the patient experience survey questions about pain management, CMS is also proposing to remove the Pain Management dimension of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey for purposes of the Hospital Value Based Purchasing Program.

Additionally, the agency is proposing several chances to the objectives and measures of the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, including a proposal to eliminate the Clinical Decision Support (CDS) and Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) objectives and measures.

For more information, check out the published rule, press release, and the CMS’ fact sheet.  CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until September 6, 2016