CY 2026 Hospital OPPS, Ambulatory Surgical Center Proposed Rule
On July 17, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the calendar year (CY) 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System proposed rule (CMS-1834-P). CMS proposed increasing OPPS and ASC payment rates by 2.4% for hospitals and ASCs meeting relevant quality reporting requirements.

CMS also proposed several policy changes, including: 

• Expanding site neutral payments for drug administration services at excepted off-campus provider-based departments (PBDs);
• Eliminating the Inpatient Only (IPO) list; and
• Additional hospital price transparency requirements.

IHA is examining these proposals in partnership with the American Hospital Association to better understand the implications for members.

CMS also included proposals to update the methodology used to calculate the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating to emphasize the Safety of Care measure group in hospitals’ star ratings, as well as changes to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR), Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR), and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Programs to further meaningful measurement and reporting for quality of care in the outpatient setting.

IHA will make hospital-specific estimated financial impact reports available to members through the IHA C-Suite in the coming weeks. Comments on the proposed rule are due Sept. 15, and can be submitted through the Federal Register website. A fact sheet can be found here.

Staff Contact: Cassie Yarbrough

Funding Opportunity Available for Gun Violence and Research
Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Gun Violence and Research is now accepting applications for a funding opportunity that focuses on the urgent need for better health system approaches to address community firearm violence and firearm suicide, especially in highly impacted communities.

The center hopes the 2025 funding opportunity will allow communities and clinicians to gain stronger evidence on what works in a range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and other community-based health centers.

Grant awards are available in two categories:

• Up to $100,000, to build capacity to conduct research on healthcare approaches to addressing community gun violence or firearm suicide.
• Up to $300,000, to expand or initiate new research on evidence-informed healthcare practice or clinical care models that address community gun violence or firearm suicide.

Researchers employed by 501(c)3s, institutions and organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants at all stages of the research continuum are encouraged to apply. Proposals that center community engagement to build rigorous evidence are strongly encouraged. Applications for this opportunity are due by Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 4 p.m. CT. 

To apply for the funding opportunity, click here. For more information on the center, click here. 

An informational webinar will be held this Wednesday, July 23, at 1 p.m. CT to share more details about the funding opportunity and answer questions of those interested. To register for the webinar, click here. If you are unable to join, you can watch a recording and review materials from a previous webinar in April.

Reminder: First Critical Access Hospital Compliance Webinar July 25
IHA's five-part webinar series on Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Conditions of Participation (CoP) begins Friday, July 25, covering key compliance updates for CAH leaders and staff.

From 9:30-11:30 a.m. CT, this first webinar will examine the provision of emergency services, expectations of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for observation status, unique characteristics of a critical access hospital, and available resources and methods to remain up-to-date on CoP guidance and regulations.

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Describe minimum standards for provision of emergency services;
• Explain average length of stay and bed requirements; and
• Discuss recommendations to do a gap analysis, ensuring compliance with hospital CoPs.

Nancy M. Ruzicka, a recognized expert on state and federal rules, regulations and interpretive guidelines, will lead this series. She provides consultation to healthcare providers through both onsite mock surveys, remote consultation and interpretation of Medicare CoPs.

Additional sessions in this series will take place on Aug. 1, Aug. 8, Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. Registration for IHA members is $195 per webinar and nurse continuing education credit is available.

Take the first step toward survey readiness - register today.

Staff contact: Bridget McCarte