CMS is proposing a 2.4% bump in payments to inpatient psychiatric facilities in 2026.
The agency published its proposed payments for inpatient psychiatric facilities April 11. The proposed increase would be slightly lower than the 2.8% increase inpatient facilities received in 2025.
Here are five things to know:
- Under the proposed payments, inpatient psychiatric facilities would receive $70 million more in payments in 2026 than in 2025, according to CMS.
- The agency is proposing upping payments for rural inpatient psychiatric facilities and teaching facilities.
- The proposed rule would remove four quality measure reporting requirements for inpatient psychiatric facilities: facility commitment to health equity, vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel, screening for social drivers of health and screen positive rate for social drivers of health.
- CMS is also seeking input on creating a five-star methodology to rate inpatient psychiatric facilities. Other types of facilities are listed on the Medicare.gov Care Compare tool using a five-star system, but the site does not include inpatient psychiatric facilities.
- In addition, CMS is seeking input on introducing quality measures related to well-being and nutrition, and improving data reporting and interoperability at inpatient psychiatric facilities.
The proposed rule is open for comment for 60 days. CMS also published proposed payment rules for hospitals, hospices and other types of facilities. Read more here.
