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    New Technology Add-On Payment

    Supplemental Medicare payment for inpatient use of qualifying new technologies.

    Reviewed by Christian Espinosa, Founder, Blue Goat CyberLast reviewed May 5, 2026

    Definition

    NTAP provides up to 65% additional payment (75% for some categories) above the MS-DRG rate to hospitals using qualifying new technologies. Eligibility requires FDA marketing authorization, newness (typically <3 years), substantial clinical improvement, and inadequate MS-DRG payment.
    What the regulation says
    The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishes the New Technology Add-On Payment (NTAP) program to facilitate beneficiary access to new medical technologies and services. The criteria for NTAP eligibility are outlined in the Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) for inpatient hospital services, specifically in the annual Inpatient PPS Final Rule, which includes requirements related to FDA marketing authorization, newness, substantial clinical improvement, and inadequate payment under existing Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) rates. The program aims to ensure that hospitals are not financially disadvantaged when using qualifying new technologies before their costs are fully incorporated into DRG payment rates.

    What this means in practice

    NTAP bridges the gap while CMS gathers utilization data to update DRG weights. Time-limited (2–3 years). Critical for high-cost devices used inpatient.

    Examples

    • A medical device manufacturer secures NTAP for a novel cardiac assist device after demonstrating its FDA approval, significant improvement in heart failure patient outcomes, and that existing DRG payments do not cover its acquisition cost.
    • A hospital successfully applies for NTAP for a new surgical robot that allows for less invasive procedures with shorter recovery times, meeting the newness and substantial clinical improvement criteria.
    • A pharmaceutical company receives NTAP for a new antibiotic that treats highly resistant infections, as it has FDA approval and provides a unique treatment option where existing therapies are ineffective.
    Common pitfalls
    • •A common pitfall is failing to secure timely FDA marketing authorization, which is a prerequisite for NTAP consideration.
    • •Misinterpreting the "newness" criterion can lead to missed application windows, as technologies typically qualify for a limited period, often three years.
    • •Overlooking the requirement for "substantial clinical improvement" can result in rejection, as mere incremental advancements may not be sufficient.
    • •Failing to demonstrate that the existing Medicare Severity-Diagnosis Related Group (MS-DRG) payment is inadequate to cover the technology's costs is a frequent pitfall.
    • •Companies sometimes assume NTAP is a permanent solution rather than a transitional payment mechanism while CMS updates DRG weights.

    Frequently asked questions

    FDA marketing authorization, such as 510(k) clearance or PMA approval, is a mandatory prerequisite for a technology to be considered for NTAP by CMS.

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    Primary references

    3 sources
    Link health: 3 verified· last checked 2026-06-20
    CMS·1AdvaMed·1AMA·1
    1. 1
      CMS NTAP
      Verified
      CMScms.gov
    2. 2
      AdvaMed - Payment & Coverage
      Verified
      AdvaMedadvamed.org
    3. 3
      AMA CPT Resources
      Verified
      AMAama-assn.org

    Inline markers like [1] jump to the matching reference above.