CMS seeks public input on how to improve the healthcare delivery system and the Medicare program.
The agency released its 2018 Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule on Friday. As part of the proposed rule, CMS included a request for information on "improvements that can be made to the healthcare delivery system that reduce unnecessary burdens for clinicians, other providers and patients and their families." CMS added: "We aim to increase quality of care, lower costs, improve program integrity and make the healthcare system more effective, simple and accessible."
In its request for information, the agency said the public may submit ideas for regulatory, subregulatory, policy, practice and procedural changes. CMS said ideas could include "payment system redesign, elimination or streamlining of reporting, monitoring and documentation requirements, [or] aligning Medicare requirements and processes with those from Medicaid and other payers," among others.
The agency said recommendations could also address how CMS could simplify rules and regulations and improve the issuance of such policies.
Additionally, the CMS proposed rule includes a request for information regarding physician-owned hospitals. The agency said it is calling for comments "on the appropriate role of physician-owned hospitals in the delivery system" as well as "how the current scope of and restrictions on physician-owned hospitals affects healthcare delivery." CMS adds: "In particular, we are interested in comments on the impact on Medicare beneficiaries."
The public may submit comments via the Federal Register.