Protect Payment for Expanding or New CR and PR Programs
2015 Bipartisan Budget Act, implemented by CMS in 2017, added a section to Medicare law prohibiting hospitals from billing at the hospital outpatient rate if an existing off-campus service (beyond 250 yards from the main campus) moved to a new location or a new hospital service opened that was located greater than 250 yards from the main campus. A very limited number of exceptions were permitted, e.g., services furnished in an emergency department, in an on-campus department, or a remote location within 250 yards of the main campus.
