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FASA, ASC leaders present views about proposed Medicare changes to CMS and HHS

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, March 13, 2007

FASA's 2007 Legislative and Compliance Seminar provided an opportunity for FASA leadership and other ambulatory surgery center (ASC) leaders to present their views on the proposed Medicare ASC payment system to members of both the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), according to a press release from FASA.

In attendance were Herb Kuhn, acting deputy administrator CMS, and Rich McKeown, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt's chief of staff.

Kathy Bryant, FASA president, Mark Mayo, executive director of the Illinois ASC association, and Washington Ambulatory Surgery Center Association's Public Policy Committee Chair Rob Quinton all spoke out against the proposed ASC payment rates equal to 62 percent of the hospital outpatient department rate.

"We were delighted to have two senior representatives of the Bush Administration meet with our state association leaders to hear, again, the concerns outlined in the comments we submitted in November concerning the proposed rule," said Bryant, according to the press release. "Key officials with the administration were able to hear firsthand the concerns about continued beneficiary access to ASC services. Through the help of state association leaders, I believe they came away with an understanding that the proposed 62% reimbursement rate is unsustainable."

The seminar was held Feb. 28-March 1 in Washington, DC.

To read the FASA press release, click here.

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