Under OPPS, what does the term 'packaging' refer to?

The term 'packaging' under the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) refers to bundling services into one payment. This methodology is designed to improve payment efficiency by grouping related services or items and compensating them collectively rather than providing separate payments for each service rendered.

When services are packaged, it enables a more streamlined billing process for facilities, encouraging them to provide related care in a more integrated manner. This is especially relevant in outpatient settings where multiple procedures or services may be provided during a single patient visit, allowing healthcare providers to deliver better coordinated care while controlling costs.

While other options touch on aspects of payment methodology, they do not specifically define the concept of packaging as it is intended under OPPS. For example, total payment for services in one encounter or combining certain procedures may occur, but these are more general concepts that do not accurately capture the essence of 'packaging' as defined in the OPPS framework.