COA Commends CMS on 2019 OPPS Proposed Rule

The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) announced their support of CMS’ 2019 Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule.

The rule proposes implementing site-neutral payments for off-campus provider-based departments, matching payment rates in the 2019 Medicare Physician-Fee Schedule Proposed Rule. CMS estimates that the site-neutral payment proposal would save Medicare recipients close to $150 million in lower copayments for clinic visits.

The proposed rule also extends last year’s 340B Drug Payment program reimbursement adjustment for hospitals to certain off-campus provider-based departments.

COA’s responded to the proposed rule by commending CMS for taking these steps to reform “important long-standing flaws in our nation’s health policy.”

Read the full release here.