July 19, 2007—The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the 2008 proposed Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) rule.

In addition to proposing payment changes for services in hospital outpatient departments, the proposed rule includes provisions that would encourage higher quality care through the reporting of quality measures and would improve efficiency through payment for larger bundles that would give hospitals greater flexibility in deciding how to provide care.

The proposed rule also contains the proposed 2008 payment rates for services performed in ambulatory surgical centers.

—Cat Vasko