NEWS ALERT: CMS Posts 2020 IRF Proposed Rule

Proposed rule calls amending regulations clarifying the determination as to whether a physician qualifies as a rehabilitation physician is made by the IRF.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule for the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system for the fiscal year 2020.

The proposal includes an estimated overall 2.5 percent increase factor that includes an IRF-specific market basket estimate of 3 percent less a .5 percent productivity adjustment. Additionally, CMS is proposing case mix group (CMG) revisions based on removal of Functional Independence Measure (FIMtm) scoring and use of Quality Indicator data for classification of patients into CMG groups.  Of note, CMS elected to weight the scores for functional indicators in determining placement in a CMG.

Updated Related to Quality Measures
The proposed rule also includes the following:

  • Two proposed additional Quality Measures both of which relate to Medication Reconciliation:
    • Transfer of Health Information to the Provider; and
    • Transfer of Health Information to the Patient.
  • Proposed adoption of a number of standardized patient assessment data elements (SPADEs).
  • These added data elements will assess cognitive function and mental status, special services, treatments and interventions, medical conditions and comorbidities, impairments, and social determinants of health (race and ethnicity, preferred language and interpreter services, health literacy, transportation, or social isolation).
  • Updates to the Discharge to Community IRF QRP measure
  • Removal of the published list of compliant IRFs from the IRF QRP website
  • Requirement to collect IRF-PAI data on all patients regardless of the patients’ payer

Additional Proposed Provisions
CMS is also proposing to amend the regulations to clarify that the determination as to whether a physician qualifies as a rehabilitation physician is made by the IRF.

Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted until June 17, 2019.

The proposed rule may be found at this link:  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/04/24/2019-07885/medicare-program-inpatient-rehabilitation-facility-prospective-payment-system-for-federal-fiscal

The proposed rule is expected to be published in the Federal Register on April 29, 2019.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Angela Phillips, PT

Angela M. Phillips, PT, is President & Chief Executive Officer of Images & Associates. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, School of Allied Health Professions, she has almost 45 years of experience as a consultant, healthcare executive, hospital administrator, educator, and clinician. Ms. Phillips is one of the nation’s leading consultants assisting Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities in operating effectively under the Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) and in addressing key issues related to compliance.

Related Stories

CMS POSTS 80 New PCS Codes

CMS Posts 80 New PCS Codes

With the April 1 update, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented 80 new PCS codes. To break it down, there are 24

Read More

Leave a Reply

Please log in to your account to comment on this article.

Featured Webcasts

Mastering Breast Biopsy Billing: Guidance-Driven Coding for Accurate Reimbursement

Breast biopsy procedures may be clinically straightforward but accurately translating them into compliant billing can be anything but. In this focused webcast, Shawn Blackburn, CPC, CPMA, CIC, CRC, CCS-P breaks down how imaging guidance, lesion count, laterality, and payer expectations all impact how these procedures should be reported. Through clear explanations and real-world scenarios, you’ll gain practical insight into aligning clinical workflows with billing requirements, avoiding common pitfalls, and ensuring your documentation supports accurate reimbursement and compliance.

May 21, 2026

Mastering OB GYN Coding Accuracy: Precision Coding for Compliance and Reimbursement

Gain clarity and confidence in OB‑GYN coding with this expert‑led webcast featuring Sherri L. Clayton, RHIT, CSS. You’ll learn how to apply global maternity package rules accurately, select the right CPT codes for procedures and visits, and identify documentation gaps that lead to denials. With practical guidance and real examples, this session helps you strengthen compliance, reduce audit risk, and ensure accurate reimbursement for women’s health services.

May 14, 2026

2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic Update Webcast Series

Uncover essential coding insights with nationally recognized coding authority Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS. Through ICD10monitor’s interactive, on‑demand webcast series, Kay walks you through the AHA’s 2026 ICD‑10‑CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics, translating each update into practical, easy‑to‑apply guidance designed to sharpen precision, ensure compliance, and strengthen day‑to‑day decision‑making. Available shortly after each official release.

April 13, 2026

2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic Update: Fourth Quarter

Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s fourth quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.

December 14, 2026

Trending News

Featured Webcasts

Reengineering Utilization Management: Building an Adaptive Model for the New Payer Era

Traditional utilization management models can no longer keep pace with regulatory shifts, payer scrutiny, and operational pressures. In this webcast, Tiffany Ferguson, LMSW, CMAC, ACM, ACPA-C, introduces an Adaptive Model strategy that modernizes UM through role specialization, technology-driven workflows, and proactive, team-based processes. Attendees will learn how to restructure programs to improve efficiency, strengthen clinical collaboration, and enhance financial performance in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

May 20, 2026

Compliance for the Inpatient Psychiatric Facility (IPF-PPS): Minimizing Federal Audit Findings by Strengthening Best Practices

Federal auditors are intensifying their focus on inpatient psychiatric facilities, using advanced data analytics to spotlight outliers and pursue high‑dollar repayments. In this high‑impact webcast, Michael Calahan, PA, MBA, Compliance Officer and V.P., Hospital & Physician Compliance, breaks down what regulators are really targeting in IPF-PPS admissions, documentation, treatment and discharge planning. Attendees will learn practical steps to tighten processes, avoid common audit triggers and protect reimbursement and reduce the risk of multimillion-dollar repayment demands.

April 9, 2026

Mastering MDM for Accurate Professional Fee Coding

In this timely session, Stacey Shillito, CDIP, CPMA, CCS, CCS-P, CPEDC, COPC, breaks down the complexities of Medical Decision Making (MDM) documentation so providers can confidently capture the true complexity of their care. Attendees will learn practical, efficient strategies to ensure documentation aligns with current E/M guidelines, supports accurate coding, and reduces audit risk, all without adding to charting time.

March 31, 2026

The PEPPER Returns – Risk and Opportunity at Your Fingertips

Join Ronald Hirsch, MD, FACP, CHCQM for The PEPPER Returns – Risk and Opportunity at Your Fingertips, a practical webcast that demystifies the PEPPER and shows you how to turn complex claims data into actionable insights. Dr. Hirsch will explain how to interpret key measures, identify compliance risks, uncover missed revenue opportunities, and understand new updates in the PEPPER, all to help your organization stay ahead of audits and use this powerful data proactively.

March 19, 2026

Trending News

Celebrate Lab Week with MedLearn! Sign up to win one year of our Laboratory All Access Pass! Click here to learn more →

Happy National Doctor’s Day! Learn how to get a complimentary webcast on ‘Decoding Social Admissions’ as a token of our heartfelt appreciation! Click here to learn more →

BLOOM INTO SAVINGS! Get 25% OFF during our spring sale through March 27. Use code SPRING26 at checkout to claim this offer.

CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 1 with code CYBER25

CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24