Final answer:
Comprehensive APCs were created by CMS to transition towards a bundled outpatient PPS for better payment accuracy and simplified billing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comprehensive APCs and Outpatient PPS
Comprehensive APCs (Ambulatory Payment Classifications) were introduced by the CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) as a way to transition towards a bundled or packaged outpatient PPS (prospective payment system). This system groups together services and procedures that are typically furnished together during an outpatient visit. Unlike an unbundled system where each service is separately billed, the bundled system provides a single payment for a group of services.
By moving towards a bundled outpatient PPS, CMS aims to improve payment accuracy, reduce fragmentation, and simplify the billing process for outpatient services. The goal is to create a more holistic and cost-effective approach to outpatient care.