CY 2027 hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center proposed rule

On July 2, 2026, CMS issued a proposed rule that would update Medicare payment policies and rates for hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center services for calendar year 2027. CMS states the proposed payment policies would affect approximately 3,500 hospitals and approximately 6,400 ambulatory surgical centers. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on July 7, 2026 and includes quality reporting program provisions, a request for information on strengthening the standardization and comparability of hospital price transparency data, prior authorization, accrediting organization deeming for EMTALA, and notices of closure of teaching hospitals. CMS stated comments were due by August 31, 2026.

Medicare's outpatient and ambulatory surgical center payment rules for 2027 are proposed but not final. The comment period has closed and a final rule is expected before the policies would take effect.

Outpatient and ambulatory surgical center payment levels influence where procedures are performed, which affects demand for outpatient facility build-out, surgical equipment, sterile supplies, imaging, and supporting technology. Price transparency and prior authorization provisions may create data and systems work. Suppliers should treat these as directional signals until the final rule is issued.