CMS Releases CY 2027 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule
Key Takeaways
-
CMS has released the CY 2027 proposed rule for the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment Systems.
-
If finalized, these rules would take effect on January 1, 2027.
-
Comments will be accepted for a defined period before issuance of the final rules later this year.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) yesterday released the Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System proposed rule, outlining proposed Medicare payment policies for hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers.1
The proposed rule includes updates to outpatient payment rates, quality reporting programs, and other Medicare policies that, if finalized, would take effect January 1, 2027. CMS is accepting public comments through August 31, 2026 before issuing a final rule later this year, usually in October/November.1
The annual OPPS proposed rule is of particular interest to the wound care community because it may include payment policy changes affecting hospital outpatient wound clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, reimbursement for procedures and services, and other Medicare outpatient policies. Given the sweeping changes in 2026 related to skin substitutes, the wound care community has sharply awaited these proposed updates.
The Wound Care Policy News Desk is reviewing the proposed rule with our experts to identify if there are any provisions that may affect wound care providers, hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and Medicare reimbursement thereof.
Readers should note that these policies are currently only proposals and as stated, are subject to public comment before CMS issues a final rule later this year.
Stay tuned for additional reporting and expert analysis in the coming days to provide a detailed review of the proposals and their potential implications, if any, for wound care.
Reference
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Proposed Rule. Published July 2, 2026. Accessed July 2, 2026. https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-2027-hospital-outpatient-prospective-payment-system-opps-ambulatory-surgical-center
© 2026 HMP Global. All Rights Reserved.
This article is part of the Wound Care Policy News Desk and is not peer reviewed. All information regarding reimbursement, legislation, regulations, policy, and legal proceedings, is provided as a service to our audience. Commercially reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information within this resource but HMP Global, their employees, their affiliates, contributors, commenters, and reviewers do not represent, guarantee, or warranty that any information provided within this resource is error-free. HMP Global, their employees, their affiliates, contributors, and reviewers disclaim all liability attributable to the use of any information, guidance, or advice contained in this resource. The responsibility for verifying information accuracy for individual use and in individual circumstances lies solely with the audience member. The information in this resource is also not a substitute for legal, medical, or business advice, and is for educational purposes only. Any views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and/or participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, policy, or position of Wounds or HMP Global, their employees, and affiliates.
