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CMS ASC Feedback Session Talking Points - Memo

MedPAC Recommends Extension of Specialty Hospital Moratorium

Important Meeting Notice and Letter from Christy Davies, President of Idaho Ambulatory Surgical Center Association.  Please Print this Letter and Share with Your Nursing Director, and Physician Owners

New MedPAC Report Analyzes High Volume Medicare Procedures

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) issued two reports, both assembled by RAND, which are of great potential interest to the ambulatory surgery center community. The studies compare patient characteristics for several procedures across various ambulatory settings, cataract surgery, colonoscopy, and MRI of head, neck and brain in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Click here for AAASC review.

State ASC Associations Report on Priority Issues

• Workers Comp payment reductions
• Restrictions on physician ownership
• Public reporting of ASC financial information
• CON changes that restrict ASC growth

For more information about a specific state, review the information on state association websites or contact the leadership of the state association available at the AAASC website: http://www.aaasc.org/state/

AAASC has placed emphasis on the development and support of strong state ASC associations for many years. The state association is the first line of defense for state level issues. Fortunately many state associations are well positioned organizationally and are doing a great job representing the ASC industry as state legislative and regulatory issues arise.

Medicare Payment Rates for ASC Services to be Dropped to pre-October 1, 2003

CMS Issues Memo on Overnight Stays

In a March 11 memorandum to state survey agency directors, CMS appears to be changing longstanding policy regarding overnight stays in ambulatory surgery centers. AAASC Washington Counsel has been in communication with CMS. CMS understands the questions we have raised about the statements in their memo that appear to restrict Medicare certified centers to performing only Medicare approved procedures. CMS is actively considering the need to correct the unintended change and we will notify members of their resolution.

IASCA Holds Coding Seminar with featured speaker Laurie Castillo click on the following links for the handouts made available at that seminar.

•  "Site of Service Package"
•  "CMS Manual System Transmittal 51"   02-04
•  "CMS Manual System Transmittal 42"   01-04
•  "Federal Register Vol. 69, No. 39"         02-04
•  "Medicare ASC Approved List Effective  01-04

CMS Issues Guidance on Specialty Hospital Moratorium

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced details of its plan to implement a moratorium on physician investment in and referrals to certain specialty hospitals. Learn More

January 2004 MedPAC Meeting Supports ASC Recommendations

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) approved three recommendations concerning Medicare payment to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) , including two that were supported by AAASC.  Learn More

Review the AAASC statement for the January 2004 MEdPAC meeting