Statement on the CY 2026 Medicare Outpatient Payment Final Rule

Premier is deeply disappointed by the final payment rates in the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) rule, which fail to keep pace with rising costs and the ongoing financial pressures facing providers. At a time when hospitals are grappling with inflation, workforce shortages, and unprecedented demand for care, these inadequate updates further squeeze already strained budgets threatening access and sustainability.

However, Premier appreciates CMS’ foresight in abandoning for now the proposed accelerated recoupment of 340B payments. This decision demonstrates an understanding that hospitals could not withstand another financial blow, and it helps preserve critical resources for patient care during an already challenging time.

Compounding these challenges is the significant delay in releasing the OPPS final rule. With implementation timelines now severely compressed, hospitals have little time to understand finalized changes, adjust systems, update billing processes, revise budgets and train staff. This last-minute scramble creates operational chaos and increases administrative burden, making it harder for hospitals to focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality care for patients.

Premier urges CMS to recognize the real-world impact of these decisions and provide flexibility to ensure hospitals can comply without compromising patient care.