CMS Final FY26 IPPS Rule Preserves Payment Rates for RNS Cases

Last week, CMS issued the final rule for the Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) for fiscal year (FY) 2026.

CMS did not finalize its earlier proposal to move responsive neurostimulation (RNS) cases to MS-DRGs 020–022, which would have resulted in a significant reduction in hospital payment. Instead, RNS cases will remain in the current MS-DRG 023, and Medicare payment rates will not be reduced.
 
This is an important win for patients and providers, ensuring continued access to RNS therapy without financial barriers that could have impacted care delivery.
 
The final rule also revises the IPPS for operating and capital-related costs of acute care hospitals and makes changes to Medicare graduate medical education (GME) for teaching hospitals. You can view the final rule in the Federal Register here.