Hospitals are encouraged to review their preliminary wage and occupational mix data released May 23 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and submit any requests for changes to their Medicare Administrative Contractor by Sept. 2 since no new requests for changes will be accepted after that date.
This data is being used by the CMS to develop the fiscal year (FY) 2024 Medicare wage index which will be used to adjust up to nearly 70% of the payment amount across Medicare prospective payment systems including inpatient, outpatient and post-acute care settings effective Oct. 1, 2023. To assist hospitals in reviewing their data, the MHA distributed hospital-specific reports that included comparisons to the previous two years and to that of other hospitals in their core-based statistical area. Materials and a recording of the MHA’s educational webinar held June 29 are available upon request by contacting Crystal Mitchell at the MHA.
Hospitals are also reminded that applications for Medicare geographic reclassifications are due Sept. 1 to the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board (MGCRB). Applications approved by the MGCRB are valid for three years, FY 2024 -2026, and can be withdrawn if needed. Applications, instructions and other information regarding hospital wage index reclassifications are available on the CMS website.
Members with other questions regarding the Medicare wage index or geographic reclassification process should contact Vickie Kunz at the MHA.