Hospital Payments and Operations

IHA summarizes and analyzes federal policies impacting hospital payments and operations. 

Mar 25, 2026

Telehealth Coverage and Practice Waiver Updates

This document provides updates to IHA members on federal and state telehealth coverage and practice waivers.

Feb 04, 2026

Proposed Rule Seeks to Strengthen Federal Oversight of Organ Procurement

On Jan. 30, CMS issued a proposed rule that updates conditions of coverage for Organ Procurement Organizations, strengthening federal oversight of these organizations. 

Jan 09, 2026

CMS Proposed Rules Banning Gender-Affirming Care for Children

CMS proposed new hospital conditions of participation that would ban the provision of and federal payment for most gender-affirming care services for children.

Oct 16, 2025

Medicare Advantage Provider Complaint Submission Form

Organizations representing Medicare providers and seeking assistance from CMS in resolving Medicare Advantage claims issues must complete this form by following these instructions.  

May 10, 2024

Recording: Hospital Wage Index: Maximizing Medicare Reimbursement (5.9.24)

This webinar walks IHA members through the wage index development process, the impact of recent court cases and policy changes, and the opportunities before hospitals. Password: pDtV3mRA

Apr 03, 2024

Recording: CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule (4.3.24)

CMS provided IHA members with an overview of the interoperability and prior authorization final rule (CMS-0057-F). Password: pMtq3rug

Nov 15, 2023

Medicare Advantage Final Rule Implementation Handbook

The American Hospital Association developed this implementation guide to help equip hospitals and health systems with tools to better advocate for MA plan compliance with regulatory requirements.

Nov 22, 2022

Medicare Quality Programs Reference Guide

This reference guide includes details for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Medicare Value-Based Purchasing, Readmissions Reduction, and Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction programs.

Jun 09, 2022

Overview of Medicare RRP and HAC Programs

An IHA webinar on June 9 provided an overview of the Medicare Readmissions Reduction Program (RRP) and Hospital Acquired Condition (HAC) Program. A recording of the webinar is available here.

May 20, 2022

Webinar: Top Medicare Reimbursement Opportunities Post COVID

An IHA webinar on May 17 identified strategies to enhance Medicare reimbursement. Access the webinar recording here (password Ehc6efgf). Click "Read More" below for the program slides.

May 18, 2022

Overview of Medicare VBP Program

An IHA webinar on May 16 provided an overview of the Medicare Value Based Purchasing (VBP) Program, which is the only Medicare quality program to recognize improvement as well as achievement.

Mar 29, 2021

Updated Electronic ADT Enforcement Date and ONC Information

The implementation and enforcement deadline for new electronic admission, discharge and transfer notifications tied to Medicare Conditions of Participation is May 1, 2021.

Mar 22, 2021

May 1 Implementation Deadline: Electronic Exchange of Patient ADTs as Medicare CoP

As part of Medicare Conditions of Participation, hospitals, psychiatric hospitals and critical access hospitals must send electronic patient admission, discharge and transfer information by May 1.

Feb 25, 2021

March 29 Deadline: Apply for IME and DGME FTE Slots

Teaching hospitals have until March 29 to apply for IME and DGME slots made available by the recent closure of two teaching hospitals.

Dec 10, 2020

Upcoming Deadlines: Medicare Quality Program Reporting and Reweighting Extensions

Hospitals and clinicians may apply for quality data reporting exceptions due to COVID-19. See an IHA memo with deadlines and additional information.

Feb 26, 2020

HHS OIG Work Plan, 2020

IHA closely monitors the OIG Work Plan to keep our members informed about potential changes to the healthcare landscape. This document summarizes current OIG studies members may find most pertinent.

Sep 12, 2019

Proposed Specialty Care Models: Radiation Oncology and End-Stage Renal

On July 18, CMS published in the Federal Register (FR) two proposed specialty care models specific to radiation oncology and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).