Medicare program; changes to the hospital inpatient prospective payment systems and fiscal year 1999 rates--HCFA. Proposed rule.

We are proposing to revise the Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment systems for operating costs and capital-related costs to implement applicable statutory requirements, including section 4407 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, as well as changes arising from our continuing experience with the systems. In addition, in the addendum to this proposed rule, we are describing proposed changes in the amounts and factors necessary to determine rates for Medicare hospital inpatient services for operating costs and capital-related costs. These changes would be applicable to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1998. We are also setting forth proposed rate-of-increase limits as well as proposing changes for hospitals and hospital units excluded from the prospective payment systems.