CMS Launches Hospital Drug Acquisition Cost Survey Under Executive Order to Inform Medicare Payment Adjustments

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is conducting a nationwide survey to collect outpatient drug acquisition costs from hospitals paid under the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS). This initiative is part of an Executive Order signed on April 15, 2025, directing federal agencies to reduce prescription drug costs. The survey data will inform potential adjustments to Medicare payments to better align with actual hospital acquisition costs for outpatient drugs, ensuring compliance with statutory budget neutrality requirements. CMS released the CY 2026 proposed rule updating the OPPS and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System which outlines this survey process. Contact information for OPPS hospitals is being gathered to facilitate communication and next steps. Further updates will be provided by CMS as the survey progresses.