In the 2024 OPPS/ASC final rule, CMS finalized revisions to the regulations at 45 CFR 180.50 related to making public hospital standard charges in a Machine Readable File (MRF), including adding data elements that must be included in the hospitalâs MRF and requiring hospitals to conform to a CMS template layout. In this 2026 OPPS/ASC rule, we propose to add additional data elements that must be included in the hospitalâs MRF. We are finalizing amendments to the HPT regulations to enhance clarity and standardization in hospital standard charges. Specifically, we are finalizing revisions to §180.20 to remove the definition for "estimated allowed amount" and add definitions for "median allowed amount,â âtenth (10th) percentile allowed amount,â and "ninetieth (90th) percentile allowed amount,â to provide additional context and enhance transparency and comparability of hospital standard charges. Furthermore, we are finalizing revisions to §180.50 to require hospitals, beginning January 1, 2026, to disclose the median, tenth and ninetieth percentile allowed amounts in MRFs when payer-specific negotiated charges are based on percentages or algorithms, as well as the count of allowed amounts used to calculate those allowed amounts.
The annual burden has increased by 139,204 hours (from 276,092 hours to 415,296 hours). This is primarily due to an increase in the number of respondents required to post the required standard charge data, the addition of a new burden estimate, and updated wage rates. We also note the additional one-time burden of 88,992 hours related to the implementation of the new requirements in the 2026 CY OPPS/ASC final rule with comment period.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.