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CMS administrator pledges support for ASCs

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, February 14, 2006

The administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pledged support for increasing patient access to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) at a legislative seminar organized by the Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association (FASA), according to a statement issued by FASA.

"ASCs play a very important role in creating a modern, innovative health care system by providing care at a lower cost with better patient satisfaction," said CMS Administrator Mark McClellan "With the challenge of rising healthcare costs, it is clear to me that innovation and creativity in ASCs can make a big difference in the quality and cost of the healthcare."

McClellan addressed the new ASC payment system and the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) commitment to improving patient access to ASCs, referencing HHS Secretary Michael O. Leavitt's recent letter to Sen. Michael Crapo (R-ID) stating his intention to expand the ASC list of Medicare-covered procedures, as reported in the December 27, 2005, issue of Ambulatory Surgery Regulatory Update.

In the letter, Leavitt said he will reconcile the proposal with a new ASC payment system in 2008.

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