The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2026 Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) final payment system rule. The final rule not only includes policies and payment rates for CY 2026 but also updates CMS’ existing Hospital Price Transparency requirements. Hospitals and ASCs that meet their quality reporting requirements will see a 2.6% increase in their OPPS rates. CMS also finalized proposals to eliminate the Inpatient Only list over a three-year period, beginning with the removal of nearly 300 musculoskeletal procedures from the list in CY 2026.

For additional information, members are encouraged to review CMS’ press release on the rule as well as the fact sheet.