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Rural Health
News by Topic: Outpatient care

Jul 22, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ACS) payment system for calendar year 2025. This proposed rule would also update and refine the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program, ASC Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program, and Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program and proposes Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for obstetrical services. Among other things, this rule would request information on options being considered for future changes to the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating methodology and further information related to a Tribal Technical Advisory Group request to apply the Indian Health Service encounter rate to all outpatient tribal clinics. This proposed rule would also provide exceptions to the Medicaid clinic services benefit four walls requirement for Indian Health Service and Tribal clinics, and, at state option, for behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas. Comments are due by September 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 18, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the approval of The Joint Commission for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Ambulatory Surgical Centers that wish to participate in Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is effective September 1, 2024 - September 1, 2030.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 16, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking comment on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS); 2) Implementation of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) and Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan Disenrollment Reasons Survey; and 3) New Technology Services for Ambulatory Payment Classifications Under Outpatient Prospective Payment System. Comments are due August 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 15, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a virtual meeting of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment on August 26-27, 2024. The purpose of the Panel is to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of CMS concerning the clinical integrity of the Ambulatory Payment Classification groups and their associated weights, as well as supervision of hospital outpatient therapeutic services. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the Panel's website. Presentations and comment letters are due by August 2, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 27, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Ambulatory Surgical Centers that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Comments are due by July 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 13, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application from the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, dba QUAD A, for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Ambulatory Surgical Centers that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Comments are due by July 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 11, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Identification of Extension Units of Medicare Approved Outpatient Physical Therapy/Outpatient Speech Pathology (OPT/OSP) Providers and Supporting Regulations and 2) Conditions for Certification for Rural Health Clinics and Conditions for Coverage for Federally Qualified Health Centers in 42 CFR 491. Comments are due by July 11, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 10, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking comment on the following information collections: 1) Notice of Denial of Medical Coverage (or Payment)—NDMCP; 2) Notice of Denial of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage; and Prospective Payments for Hospital Outpatient Services and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 413.65. Comments are due by August 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 31, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Ambulatory Surgical Center Conditions for Coverage and 2) Submission of 1135 Waiver Request Automated Process. Comments are due by July 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register