CMS locks in 2.3% inpatient hospital base pay increase, nudges back CJR-X Model start date

fiercehealthcare - The Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule's base pay increase is slightly below what was proposed earlier this year, though the agency said it now expects the rule's changes to bring hospital payments hundreds of millions of dollars highe…

AI Summary: CMS finalized a 2.3% increase to the inpatient hospital base rate and pushed back the start date of the mandatory CJR‑X (comprehensive joint replacement) model, giving providers extra runway to adjust. The move eases short‑term reimbursement pressure and shifts timing for hospitals’ budgeting, reporting, and operational changes tied to the joint‑replacement mandate.