Comment on CMS-2026-1256-0002

Summary: Excellus Health Plan, Inc., a nonprofit health plan, supports the proposed rule's integrated approach to strengthening the IPPS but argues that CMS must take further action to address hospital reclassification abuses. The organization requests that CMS implement meaningful safeguards and controls on the ability of hospitals to frequently cancel or terminate reclassifications to ensure more predictable Medicare rates and program sustainability.