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ASCs in the news: Mixed reviews for ASC proposed rule from two organizations

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, July 22, 2008

As the FY 2009 ASC proposed rule receives more attention, its pluses and minuses come into sharper focus. These two assessments come from the ASC Association and the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgical Society (OOSS).

Michael A. Romansky, JD, Washington counsel and vice president of corporate development for the OOSS, says, “we are relatively pleased with the first payment regulation under the new ASC payment system. As expected, some procedures increased; some declined, with the aggregate impact on ophthalmology about even.”

Kathy Bryant, JD, president of the ASC Association, says "all the positives and negatives are the same. We continue to be disappointed by the inflation update…. We would still prefer to be tied to hospitals rather than everything being figured separately for us."

The two organizations have different reactions to CMS’ decision to defer ASC quality reporting past 2009. Speaking for the ASC Association, Bryant says, "Many are disappointed that they decided not to implement quality reporting for ASCs in 2009. A lot of ASCs had put work into making sure ASCs were ready to go.”

Romansky offers another view from OOSS. “We are certainly pleased that CMS has decided to defer implementation of the requirement that ASCs report on ASC quality effective January 1, 2009.” While OOSS “adamantly supports” ASC quality, he says, the group believes ASCs and CMS both need more experience with the new payment system.

Neither group, nor the ASCs they represent, has finished making their opinions known to CMS and Congress. To bring ASC payment in line with hospitals, the ASC Association hopes to influence the legislation. “The Crapo-Meek-Herger legislation is a great road map for where ASCs should be,” says Bryant. “This legislation would provide the same inflation update for hospitals and ASCs.” At the OOSS, Romansky says, “we look forward to working with the agency in fine-tuning the new payment system.”

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