CMS has released a final rule to update Medicare’s Hospital Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems for calendar year (CY) 2020. CMS in the final rule said it will continue to implement site-neutral payments and payment cuts under Medicare’s 340B Drug Discount Program, despite separate court rulings striking down the policies. However, CMS did not finalize a proposal to require all hospitals to publicize their payer-negotiated rates for certain services because officials said they are working to expand the requirement to also include health insurers. (Sources: HealthLeaders Media, 11/2; Wall Street Journal, 11/1)
