A New Medicare Rule Changes How Organ Recovery Costs Are Accounted For, with No Projected Effect on Waiting Lists

In the inpatient payment rule finalized on July 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it will "reconcile organ acquisition costs for non-renal organs" for independent organ procurement organizations and histocompatibility laboratories. Kidney acquisition costs have long been subject to their own reconciliation framework. Implementation Runs Through 2028The reconciliation requirement applies to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2028. Medicare will reconcile organ acquisition costs for non-renal organs for independent organ procurement organizations and histocompatibility laboratories, with implementation delayed to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2028. Why are organ acquisition costs paid separately?