Reimbursement
The rule proposes a permanent 5% cap on negative wage index changes, regardless of the underlying reason for the decrease.
Hospital are now left to question how they will be made whole and what HHS will set for future drug reimbursement.
Without action from Congress, the AHA estimates hospitals will lose at least $3 billion by the end of the year.
However, 15% of those say their claim was eventually paid by the insurer, according to eHealth.
The group supported predictable payment for radiation oncologists but said the model has been marred by payment cuts and administrative burdens.
Congress will act prior to the end of flexibilities allowed under the public health emergency, ATA says.
The analysis also found that should this trend hold, more than 12 million surprise bills will be avoided in 2022.
The AHA recommends the DOJ establish a task force to examine routine denials from major health insurance companies.
Hospitals could face a greater number of uninsured patients as facilities remain financially strained by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A surge in COVID-19 cases led to a substantial increase in the demand for related care and testing, adding to expenses, Kaiser says.