Regulatory Issues
Federal regulatory agencies can impact hospital and health system operations. IHA plays an influential role with healthcare-related policy proposals.
- Medicare Payment
- Operations
- Comment Letters
FY 2027 Medicare LTCH proposed rule brief
On April 10, CMS posted the fiscal year 2027 Medicare Long-Term Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) proposed rule effective Oct. 1, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2027.
FY 2027 Medicare IPPS proposed rule brief
On April 10, CMS posted the fiscal year 2027 Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule effective Oct. 1, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2027.
FY 2027 Medicare SNF proposed rule brief
On April 2, CMS posted the fiscal year 2027 Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility (IPF) proposed rule effective Oct. 1, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2027.
FY 2027 Medicare IRF proposed rule brief
On April 2, CMS posted the fiscal year 2027 Medicare Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) proposed rule effective Oct. 1, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2027.
FY 2027 Medicare IPF proposed rule brief
On April 3, CMS posted the fiscal year 2027 Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Facility (IPF) proposed rule effective Oct. 1, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2027.
CY 2026 Medicare OPPS final rule brief
On Nov. 21, CMS posted the calendar year 2026 Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) final rule effective Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026.
CY 2026 Medicare HH final rule brief
On Nov. 28, CMS posted the calendar year 2026 Medicare Home Health (HH) final rule effective Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026.
CY 2026 Medicare OPPS Top 10 List
This Top 10 List outlines ten policies finalized in the CY 2026 OPPS rule that we want IHA members to be aware of and understand.
CY 2026 Medicare PFS Final Rule Memo
On Oct. 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Physician Fee Schedule final rule.
FY 2026 Medicare IPF final rule brief
On July 31, CMS posted the fiscal year 2026 Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Facility (IPF) final rule effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026.
FY 2026 Medicare IRF final rule brief
On August 1, CMS posted the fiscal year 2026 Medicare Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) final rule effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026.
FY 2026 Medicare LTCH final rule brief
On July 31, CMS posted the fiscal year 2026 Medicare Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) final rule effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026.
FY 2026 Medicare SNF final rule brief
On July 31, CMS posted the fiscal year 2026 Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility (IPF) final rule effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026.
FY 2026 Medicare IPPS final rule brief
On July 31, CMS posted the fiscal year 2026 Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026.
CY 2026 Medicare OPPS proposed rule brief
On July 15, CMS posted the calendar year 2026 Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) proposed rule effective Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026.
CY 2026 Medicare HH proposed rule brief
On June 30, CMS posted the calendar year 2026 Medicare Home Health (HH) Prospective Payment System proposed rule effective Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026.
FY 2026 Medicare IPPS proposed rule brief
On April 11, CMS posted the fiscal year 2026 Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026.
FY 2026 Medicare LTCH proposed rule brief
On April 11, CMS posted the fiscal year 2026 Medicare Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) proposed rule effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026.
FY 2026 Medicare IPF proposed rule brief
On April 11, CMS posted the fiscal year 2026 Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Prospective Payment System (IPF PPS) proposed rule effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026.
FY 2026 Medicare IRF proposed rule brief
On April 11, CMS posted the fiscal year 2026 Medicare Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System (IRF PPS) proposed rule effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026.
FY 2026 Medicare SNF proposed rule brief
On April 11, CMS posted the fiscal year 2026 Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) proposed rule effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026.
Telehealth Coverage and Practice Waiver Updates
This document provides updates to IHA members on federal and state telehealth coverage and practice waivers.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
IHA Submits Comments on Federal 340B Rebate Model
IHA submitted comments to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program.
IHA Comments on Federal Investigation of Imported Medical Device and Equipment, Tariffs
IHA expressed concerns regarding tariff policies on medical supplies that would disrupt the current supply chain, financially challenge providers, and negatively impact access to healthcare.
IHA Comments on CY 2026 Medicare Outpatient Payment Proposed Rule
IHA submitted comments on the CY 2026 OPPS proposed rule, requesting the reversal of several proposed policy changes.
IHA Comments on CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
The Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) comments on the calendar year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule.
IHA Comments on 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program
IHA submitted comments on HRSA’s 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program, describing the need for rigorous program oversight and enforcement from HRSA.
IHA Comments on Proposed MA Data Collection
IHA submitted comments on CMS’ proposed collection of service-level MA plan data.
IHA Comments on FY 2026 IPPS Proposed Rule
On June 5, IHA submitted comments to CMS on the FY 26 IPPS proposed rule, focusing on payment methodologies and social drivers of health.
IHA Comments on Regulatory Burden RFI
On June 5, IHA submitted comments to the administration on current rules and regulations that are administratively burdensome and negatively impact access to care and hospital operations.
IHA Comments on Draft Merger Guidelines by DOJ, FTC
IHA comments on the Draft Merger Guidelines (Draft Guidelines) issued on July 18, 2023 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
IHA Comments on CMS’ Proposed 340B Payment Remedy
IHA supports CMS’ proposed lump sum repayment, but urges the Agency not to pursue budget neutrality.