On April 24, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule to update Medicare payment policies and rates under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and the Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Prospective Payment System.
Among the proposed changes, CMS seeks to overhaul the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs to “focus on interoperability, improve flexibility, relieve burden and place emphasis on measures that require the electronic exchange of health information between providers and patients,” according to the agency’s fact sheet. To reflect this new focus, CMS proposes to change the EHR incentive program name from the “Meaningful Use” program to “Promoting Interoperability.”
In addition to payment and policy proposals, CMS is releasing a Request for Information (RFI) to gain stakeholder input on the possibility of revising Conditions of Participation related to interoperability as a way to increase electronic sharing of data by hospitals.
The deadline for submitting comments on the proposed rule and the RFI is June 25, 2018.
Read the full rule here, and access the CMS fact sheet here.
Posted 4/25/2018
At the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, the Louisiana Oncology Society received the ASCO Jeffrey C Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award for advancing critical advocacy priorities that have translated into meaningful legislative victories. The Iowa Oncology Society and Washington State Medical Oncology Society were also recognized for their advocacy efforts in 2025 at the meeting, receiving second place awards.
