CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES ISSUES RULE: MEDICARE PROGRAM; HOSPITAL INPATIENT PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEMS FOR ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS (IPPS) AND THE LONG-TERM CARE HOSPITAL PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEM AND POLICY CHANGES AND FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026 RATES; CHANGES TO THE FY 2025 IPPS RATES DUE TO COURT DECISION; REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY PROGRAMS; AND OTHER POLICY CHANGES; HEALTH DATA, TECHNOLOGY, AND INTEROPERABILITY: ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBING, REAL-TIME PRESCRIPTION BENEFIT AND ELECTRONIC PRIOR AUTHORIZATION

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a rule called: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals (IPPS) and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Rates; Changes to the FY 2025 IPPS Rates Due to Court Decision; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Electronic Prescribing, Real-Time Prescription Benefit and Electronic Prior Authorization.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 4 by Robert J. Kennedy, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

Summary: This final rule revises the Medicare hospital inpatient...