FY 2020 IPPS Final Rule
August 14, 2019
CMS has made available its display version of the FY 2020 IPPS Final Rule, which is scheduled to be published on August 16, 2019.
As mentioned in our May newsletter, there was a Graduate Medical Education issue included in the IPPS proposed rule. After considering comments from the public, CMS has finalized its rule. Below is a summary of the GME related issues in the final rule.
Modifications to Nonprovider Settings — CMS has finalized its rule to allow hospitals to count resident training time at critical access hospitals (CAH). Under the previous regulations, CAHs were not considered to be a nonprovider site. The finalized rule modifies the definition of a nonprovider site to include CAHs. This modification is CMS’s effort to support and encourage the training of residents in rural and underserved areas. With this finalized rule, beginning October 1, 2019, hospitals will be allowed to claim the residents’ time at CAHs as long as the nonprovider setting requirements are met.
Hospital Closure — As CMS did during the FY 2020 IPPS Proposed Rule, they are using this publication to announce another round of applications for section 5506 of the Affordable Care Act FTE cap slots, Round 15. The Round 15 application process is a result of the closure of Providence Hospital located in Washington, D.C. There will be 52.12 DGME FTE cap slots and 50.50 IME FTE cap slots distributed. Applications must be received by the CMS Central Office by 90 days after the date of display of final rule. It is not sufficient for applications to be postmarked by this date.
Following is a link to the FY 2020 IPPS Final Rule: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2019-16762.pdf
About the Author:
Larry Sumitani
Senior Principal