The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing updates to the payment system for Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities (IPFs) for the fiscal year 2026. The rule suggests changes to the payment rates, including a market basket increase of 3.2%, reduced by a productivity adjustment, resulting in a 2.4% overall increase. CMS is also proposing adjustments to quality reporting requirements by removing several measures that are seen as burdensome, such as the Facility Commitment to Health Equity and COVID-19 vaccination coverage measures. Additionally, CMS seeks to improve the accuracy of payments and reduce administrative burden by modifying various data reporting processes.
Simple Explanation
The government is planning to change the way it pays hospitals that help people with mental health needs to make it fairer and less complicated. They also want to make sure hospitals are doing a good job without making them fill out lots of annoying forms.