Stay informed and prepared with this comprehensive course covering the CMS Final Rule for Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment Systems for Calendar Year 2026. Learn about updated payment rates, policy shifts, quality reporting program changes, new requirements for hospital price transparency, and the redistribution of resident slots due to teaching hospital closure. This training also covers new strategies for compliance, enforcement timelines, and practical implementation guidance for healthcare providers navigating the latest regulatory landscape.
In this course you will learn the following:
* Understand the purpose and scope of the CY 2026 Final Rule.
* Identify key effective dates and deadlines for compliance.
* Recognize major provisions impacting OPPS and ASC payment systems.
* Analyze changes to quality reporting programs and their implications.
* Evaluate modifications to the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating methodology.
* Comprehend updated requirements for Hospital Price Transparency and associated enforcement.
* Learn about the phased elimination of the Inpatient Only (IPO) list and its effects.
* Understand new policies regarding Graduate Medical Education (GME) accreditation and resident slot redistribution.
* Identify requirements for the Medicare OPPS Drug Acquisition Cost Survey.
* Grasp the implications of volume control methods and permanent virtual direct supervision policies.
* Recognize the consequences of non-compliance with various rule provisions.
