Site Neutral Payments Kick-0ff!

As of January 1, 2026, the scope of Medicare’s site-neutral payment policy expands to include drug administration services—such as chemotherapy and other infused therapies—furnished in excepted (grandfathered) off-campus provider-based departments (PBDs) of hospitals. Under the CY 2026 OPPS final rule published by CMS: CY 2026 OPPS and Ambulatory Surgical Center Final Rule – Hospital Price … Read more

Doc Payment Fix in the Works?

Here’s an oldie but a goodie for today. The House Ways and Means Committee is reportedly considering a markup of legislation this month that would revamp Medicare’s physician payment system. This move could increase the likelihood of incorporating a “doc fix” into a lame duck legislative package. Historic readers and followers of Reg’s Blog will … Read more

Rural Hospital Program: Extra Cash for Emergency and Outpatient Services Stuck in Neutral

In 2021, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Within the Act, a new Medicare provider was created – the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH). The final rule is available here: Rural Emergency Hospital Final Rule REHs were created to improve and increase, access to emergency services and ideally, expanded outpatient services in rural areas. Starting … Read more