Healthcare News: CMS releases FY 2020 IPPS final rule

Why This Topic Matters

The rule affects inpatient reimbursement, coding classification, and hospital operations across thousands of acute care hospitals. Readers need to know which policy areas changed and where ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and MS-DRG updates intersect with payment and reporting.

Article Sections

1. Payment rate and hospital update overview

   Summarizes the annual IPPS payment update and the hospital groups affected by the final rule. It also notes the general timing for the policy changes.

2. New technology payment processes

   Describes CMS policy updates related to add-on payment processes for new technology and device-related pathways. The section discusses broader program changes affecting certain technologies and device authorization pathways.

3. Updates to CCs, MCCs, and MS-DRGs

   Covers diagnosis-related classification updates, including changes tied to CC/MCC designations and selected MS-DRG reassignments. It also references ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS categories affected by the rule.

4. Wage index updates

   Explains changes to wage index methodology and related budget neutrality adjustments for IPPS hospitals. The section also addresses the effective period of the policy.