CMS proposes quality improvements and other changes for hospital services

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a proposed rule that will update payment rates for 2009 and improve quality of services provided in hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers, according to a CMS release. The proposed rule builds on efforts across Medicare to transform the program into a prudent purchaser of healthcare services, paying based on quality of care, not just quantity of services, according to the release.