[Intl_DxMedPhys] CMS releases 2026 HOPPS final rule - ECQR on Excessive Radiation Dose or Inadequate IQ in CT to remain voluntary (for now)

[Mary Ellen Jafari]

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) final rule<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2025-20907/medicare-program-hospital-outpatient-prospective-payment-and-ambulatory-surgical-center-payment__;!!KGKeukY!3MZSh58IGYyDBeoxnPr0HAzXcgjlshboQcStYuwVWaLTJVZH-SEwq6YYFMEK9JVxN0KqgU7baK01YGfOxSoRafcIsWjsYVeF_GHRVoV0e_4S6ck$ > Nov 21.

>From the final rule, page 54029 of the Federal Register, p 582 if you download the pdf.  "We are...(5) modifying the Excessive Radiation Dose or Inadequate Image Quality for Diagnostic Computed Tomography (CT) in Adults (Hospital Level-Outpatient) eCQM (Excessive Radiation eCQM) from mandatory reporting beginning with the CY 2027 reporting period to continue voluntary reporting in the CY 2027 reporting period and subsequent years;"

The responses to comments are interesting reading. See pp 53935-53939 of the Federal Register, pp 488-492 if you download the pdf.  Please note the last sentence in the excerpt below:

After consideration of the comments received, we are finalizing our proposal to modify the Excessive Radiation Dose or Inadequate Image Quality for Diagnostic Computed Tomography (CT) in Adults (Hospital Level-Outpatient) measure (Excessive Radiation eCQM) from mandatory reporting beginning with the CY 2027 reporting period/CY 2029 payment determination to continue voluntary reporting beginning with the CY 2027 reporting period. We encourage hospitals to use the voluntary reporting period to prepare for future implementation by addressing the remaining technical, operational, and data submission challenges needed to support consistent adoption of the measure. We intend to propose a date to begin mandatory reporting at the next feasible opportunity, which we expect to be the CY 2027 OPPS/ASC proposed rule.

Mary Ellen Jafari, MS, DABR (D,N), MRSE, MRSO, FACR, FAAPM, CIIP
Chief Physicist and Regional Radiation Safety Officer

Kaiser Permanente
Southern California Permanente Medical Group Medical Imaging Technology and Informatics
199 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena CA 91101
626-430-1231 (office mobile)
Maryellen.Jafari at kp.org<mailto:Maryellen.Jafari at kp.org>

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