House committee soliciting input on site-neutral payments in Medicare

Republican leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its health subcommittee today sent a letter to the health care community soliciting feedback on implementation of so-called site-neutral payments in Medicare programs. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 enacted site-neutral payment reductions for Medicare services furnished in new off-campus provider-based hospital outpatient departments that are not dedicated emergency departments. AHA has sought to make corrections to the law to allow off-campus provider-based HOPDs under development at the time of enactment to qualify as grandfathered facilities. “Given the wide breadth of suggestions, ideas, concerns and proposals shared with the Committee on this issue, we are inviting all interested members of the health care community to provide formal feedback on policies the Committee should examine in the context of both the enactment of this provision of law, as well as other changes to site-neutral payment policies,” wrote Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA). Feedback is due to the committee by Feb. 19.