The final rule for the Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) that will become effective October 1, 2008 for the federal fiscal year 2009, tells us what was adopted from the proposed changes published April 14. Based on that proposed rule, CMS can be expected to move forward with expanded quality reporting. The final rule also, of course, will include the usual refinements to the MS-DRGs, as well as modifications to the outlier threshold, capital payments, and long-term care DRGs. CMS can be expected to continue its practice from recent IPPS rules of including changes for ambulatory surgery centers and the IPPS "inpatient only" requirements, which will further expand on what can be done in the ASC and physician office settings. In other words, this Audio Webcast will provide you with the in-depth look at the details you need in order to prepare your organization for the evolving Medicare Program.