Hospitals get 2.9% payment increase in final rule

Hospitals get 2.9% payment increase in final rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is increasing payment to inpatient hospitals by 2.9%, a rate the American Hospital Association said is unsustainable.

“CMS’ payment updates for hospitals will exacerbate the already unsustainable negative or break-even margins many hospitals are already operating under as they care for their patients,” said Molly Smith, group vice president for Public Policy for the AHA. “The AHA is deeply concerned about the impact these inadequate payments will have on patient access to care, especially in rural and underserved communities.”