CMS Announces Rate Changes; Physician Fee Schedule to Include RPM
CMS proposes changes to hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center rates and updates the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule to include coverage for remote patient monitoring services.
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By - In this week’s policy update, proposed CMS rate changes would alter hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center payments and the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule aims to include reimbursement for remote patient monitoring services.
$103 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding Announced to Combat Burnout
On July 16, HHS announced $103 million in American Rescue Plan funding targeted to reduce burnout in the healthcare workforce. The awards will be given out over a three-year period and aim to target developing a culture of wellness and resiliency among healthcare professionals. Three funding opportunities are up for grabs. The first opportunity offers 10 awards to support establishing, enhancing, or expanding programs that promote a culture of wellness within a healthcare organization. The second opportunity includes 30 awards to educational institutions and other nonprofit organizations to inform planning, developing, and training health professionals to avoid burnout. And last is one award to the Health Resources and Services Administration training and technical assistance in workforce resiliency programs. READ MORE
Sprint to the Finish: Final 30 Days of Special Enrollment Period
CMS and the Biden administration recently began the “Summer Sprint to Coverage” campaign to boost enrollment in the final month of the special enrollment period. The administration wants as many individuals as possible to register for health insurance coverage before the August 15 deadline. Since enrollment began in February, more than two million individuals have signed up for coverage on the federal insurance exchange. READ MORE
Hospital Outpatient, Ambulatory Surgical Services Rates Announced by CMS
CMS proposed updated payment rates for hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center services for calendar year 2022. Updates outlined in the proposal include:
- Hospital price transparency for standard charges
- Request for information for the Rural Emergency Hospital provider type outlined in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
- Changes to the hospital outpatient prospective payment system and ambulatory surgical center services payment rates
- Updates to the inpatient only list for covered inpatient services
- Implementation of the Radiation Oncology Model
Updated payment rates for outpatient drugs and non-opioid medications are also outlined in the rule as well as changes to covered procedure lists. The current proposal is open for a 60-day comment period with the final rule set to be issued in November. READ MORE
CPT Codes in Proposed 2022 Physician Fee Schedule Address Remote Patient Monitoring
Five new CPT codes proposed in the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule would allow for coverage of remote patient monitoring services. The new codes include coverage for set up and patient education of the equipment used to monitor disease. CMS is currently accepting comments on the proposed rule through September 13. READ MORE
