CMS issues final rule for organ procurement organizations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Friday issued a final rule revising the requirements for organ procurement organizations that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, as required by an executive order last year.

OPOs are non-profit organizations responsible for evaluating and procuring organs for transplant from deceased donors. The rule creates new OPO performance measures effective Aug. 1, 2022, in an effort to increase access to donated organs. It also will make OPO performance on the measures public and require OPOs with organ donation and transplantation rates below the top 25% to take action to improve their rates.

Currently, there are 58 OPOs in the United States, each assigned to its own donation service area.