CHA has extended the deadline to join its legal effort in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ changes to its area wage index (AWI) policy to Sept. 27. CHA is coordinating and paying for the litigation as well as the necessary provider reimbursement appeal process and subsequent legal challenge to the AWI calculation changes as finalized in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ federal fiscal year 2020 inpatient prospective payment system final rule.
While there is no cost to member hospitals to pursue this legal challenge, those interested in participating must sign an engagement letter with the legal counsel responsible for this effort (Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, P.C.); separate appeals must be filed on behalf of each hospital/system.
CHA has developed a document with detailed information about the process. Additional information on the AWI litigation — including steps for member hospitals to participate in the legal challenge, important documents and key contact information — is available on CHA’s website.