https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/topics/outpatient-care Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Outpatient care - Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/08/2026-13793/medicare-program-announcement-of-the-advisory-panel-on-hospital-outpatient-payment-meeting-august-24 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a virtual meeting of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment on August 24, 2026. The purpose of the Panel is to advise the Secretary on the clinical integrity of the Ambulatory Payment Classification groups and their associated weights, which are major elements of the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and the Ambulatory Surgical Center payment system, and supervision of hospital outpatient therapeutic services. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the <a href= "https://www.cms.gov/medicare/regulations-guidance/advisory-committees/hospital-outpatient-payment"> Panel's website</a>. Presentations and comment letters are due by July 31, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38737 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/07/2026-13656/medicare-program-hospital-outpatient-prospective-payment-and-ambulatory-surgical-center-payment Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes to the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) payment system for calendar year 2027, including changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the payment rates for Medicare services paid under the OPPS and those paid under the ASC payment systems. Among other things, this rule also proposes updates related to the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting Program; requests information regarding potential approaches to improve comparability and standardization of the HPT information reported in machine-readable files and consumer-friendly displays, particularly for complex contracting methodologies; and announces notices of closure of teaching hospitals and opportunities to apply for available slots. Comments are due by August 31, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38720 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500