News Roundup: July 2, 2026

Major News Out of CMS!

CMS released the CY 2027 OPPS/ASC proposed rule on July 2, 2026. This is how CMS will pay facilities using the Outpatient Prospective Payment System, which is Medicare’s payment system for hospital outpatient departments. ASC refers to ambulatory surgical centers, which are typically lower-cost outpatient surgery centers. This rule is still proposed, not final, but it gives a clear signal about where CMS wants to go.

There are two big items in this rule that could help bring independent doctors and freestanding outpatient facilities closer to parity with large hospital systems.

First, CMS is proposing to pay hospitals significantly less for medications acquired under the 340B drug discount program. Second, CMS is proposing to stop paying certain hospital-owned outpatient departments more for routine imaging that could safely be done in a physician office or freestanding imaging center.