Leaders on the House Ways and Means Committee recently approved by voice HR 5273, the Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act, which includes provisions for HOPD, equity and rural areas.
The bill’s provisions received support from the American Heart Association (AHA), especially for revising Section 603. This is part of the 2015 Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA), which would transition the off-campus hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) dates for grandfathering to Dec. 31.
The original grandfather date was Nov. 2. If the bill is enacted before the grandfather date, hospitals will have until Dec. 31 to enforce the bill; if the bill is enacted after Nov. 2, the hospitals have another 60 days to enforce the new provisions.
In addition, the BBA will pay for the grandfathered facilities. The payments will be given at the HOPD rate. Newer facilities are estimated to be capped at the rate for Physician Free Schedules, which is lower than the HOPD rate.
In addition, the AHA further stated its support for bill provisions to make adjustments for socioeconomic status and rural areas.
“For those select HOPDs that would qualify, this legislation is a significant relief, and we are supportive of the legislation on their behalf,” Tom Nickels, AHA executive vice president, said in a letter.
