CMS proposes a 2.3% payment increase for inpatient psychiatric facilities 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services April 2 issued a proposed rule for the inpatient psychiatric facility prospective payment system for fiscal year 2027. CMS proposes to increase IPF payments by a net 2.3%, equivalent to $50 million, in FY 2027. The payment update reflects a proposed market basket update of 3.1% minus a productivity adjustment of 0.8 percentage points. CMS also proposes to update the outlier threshold so that estimated outlier payments remain at 2.0% of total payments. 
 
For the IPF Quality Reporting Program, CMS proposes to remove two measures focused on alcohol and tobacco use screening and treatment effective with the calendar year 2026 reporting/FY 2028 payment periods. CMS also proposes to implement the standardized IPF Patient Assessment Instrument that is mandated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. IPFs would be required to collect IPF-PAI data on all patients age 18 years and older regardless of payer beginning Oct. 1, 2027. CMS will accept public comments on this rule through June 1. AHA members will receive a Regulatory Advisory with additional information.