The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the FY 2017 IPPS Rule this week (accessible at https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2016-18476.pdf).

Key things to be aware of in the 2,434 pages:

• Two-midnight rule inpatient pay cuts were not adopted
• Financial benefits and penalties related to the reporting of quality data and meaningful use of EHRs
• Rate changes for long-term care hospitals
• Addition and removal of claims-based measures for the FY 2019 and subsequent years Inpatient Quality Reporting Program
• Changes to the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program
• Several changes to the existing Hospital Acquired Conditions Reduction Program policies

The final rule is effective October 1, 2016