Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Drug Acquisition Cost Survey
CMS is launching the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Drug Acquisition Cost Survey (ODACS) via the Fee-for-Service Data Collection System (FFSDCS) on January 1, 2026. To prepare users, CMS is hosting a webinar for representatives of selected United States hospitals that are paid through the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) who have been identified as responsible for registering with the Survey Data Collection System and uploading drug acquisition cost data. CMS encourages these hospital representatives to take advantage of this session as they will learn more about the survey initiative and the Survey Data Collection System in a 60-minute webinar covering:
- An overview of the purpose of the survey
- System registration and the data Submitter role
- How to prepare for data submission
- A demonstration of the Survey Data Collection System
- Where to find resources and support
- Question and Answer session
You may send questions in advance to OPPSdrugsurvey@cms.hhs.gov with “Outpatient Drug Survey Webinar” in the subject line.
The webinar will be offered on two dates: December 9, 2025, and December 11, 2025, both at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Users may register for the session that works best for them at the OPPS Drug Acquisition Cost Survey Webinar Registration Link.
Consistent with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on April 15, 2025, directing federal agencies to take actions to lower the costs of prescription drugs, CMS is conducting a survey to collect outpatient drug acquisition costs from hospitals around the country. On July 15, 2025, CMS issued the CY 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System proposed rule to update the OPPS and ASC Payment System. The proposed rule stated that CMS will be conducting a survey of the acquisition costs for each separately payable drug acquired by all hospitals paid under the OPPS by early CY 2026.
See a summary of provisions and applicable sections of the proposed rule regarding the OPPS Drug Acquisition Cost Survey.
Introduction
OPPS Drug Acquisition Cost Survey
On April 15, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order that stated: “Within 180 days of the date of this order, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a plan to conduct a survey under section 1833(t)(14)(D)(ii) of the Social Security Act to determine the hospital acquisition cost for covered outpatient drugs at hospital outpatient departments. Following the conclusion of this survey, the Secretary shall consider and propose any appropriate adjustments that would align Medicare payment with the cost of acquisition, consistent with the budget neutrality requirement in section 1833(t)(9)(B) of the Social Security Act and other legal requirements.”
CMS is working to implement the Executive Order, and more information will be provided on this webpage as it is available.
CMS is currently gathering contact information for hospitals who are paid through the OPPS to communicate updates and future survey directions. More information will soon be posted to this website regarding this process.
Questions
For questions, please contact OPPSDrugSurvey@cms.hhs.gov.