We are talking about Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursements to upstate New York hospitals this weekend on In Focus. Cristina Batt, senior vice president, federal policy, with the Healthcare Association of New York State sat down with JoDee Kenney to unpack some of the technical aspects of the proposed rule change to the Area Wage Index. Batt said rates are calculated based on geographical areas of the U.S. Since it costs more to provide care in New York state, raising these reimbursement rates from $0.85 to $1.22 on the dollar would allow hospitals to maintain patient care. Care for 20% of New York’s population is provided through Medicare, according to Batt, so an increase in reimbursements would allow hospitals to maintain their bottom line. Additionally, Batt pointed to site-neutral payments as another policy that hurts hospitals and their outpatient facilities, which must maintain higher regulatory standards than other medical providers.

You can watch the full interview with Batt in the video player above or on the Spectrum News App. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting Upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.