What: On July 7, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a rule to revise the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) payment system for 2027. The proposal would also update the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program and the Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting Program without making any changes to the Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting Program.
Why: The proposed rule includes a range of proposals that may significantly affect payments to a substantial number of small rural hospitals and a small number of rural ASCs, as well as other classes of hospitals, Community Mental Health Centers, and ASCs. CMS invites public comments on its estimates and assessment of the impact of the proposed policies on small entities.
Action: Read the proposed rule and submit comments before the August 31, 2026, deadline.
Is your small business or entity being impacted by a proposed rule? If yes, write a comment letter to the proposing agency.