CMS finalizes Comprehensive APCs with complexity adjustments for 2015

Why This Topic Matters

These CMS policy updates affect how outpatient hospital services are packaged and paid, which can change claim-level reimbursement and billing operations. Understanding the scope of the 2015 changes helps providers assess financial impact and adapt outpatient coding and claim submission processes.

Article Sections

1. C-APCs

   Discusses the development of Comprehensive APC policies, the services considered within the framework, and the broader outpatient payment context. It also covers the related clinical families and claim-level packaging approach.

2. Expanded packaging

   Summarizes additional packaging changes in the 2015 OPPS final rule, including conditional packaging and broader outpatient payment updates. It also addresses the treatment of ancillary items, supplies, and related status indicator changes.