The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) has commended HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and HHS for its framework to establish a Medicare value-based purchasing (VBP) program for ambulatory surgery centers but also expressed concern over suggested delays in its implementation, according to a news release issued by ASCA.
The HHS report on the VBP program noted that HHS lacks the authority to enact the plan, suggesting implementation of the quality reporting program is not likely to occur in the near future.
David Shapiro, MD, ASCA board chair, indicated the Association would like to see the implementation earlier than what is being projected currently, according to the release.
ASCA said it is pleased to see the VBP plan from HHS include many recommendations from the ASC community, such as:
- acknowledgement of the need to align measures across payment systems,
- the importance of minimizing the reporting burden associated with VBP,
- recognition of the ASC quality measures developed by the ASC Quality Collaboration and endorsed by the National Quality Forum as measures quality reporting should incorporate,
- the inclusion of a claims-based reporting option, and
- the inclusion of a shared savings plan as a possible quality bonus funding options.
ASCA Executive Director William Prentice said ASCA is currently working with the other members of the ASC community — including many medical specialty societies — to introduce legislation that would give HHS the authority to enact the plan, according to the news release.
View a copy of the news release from ASCA by clicking here (pdf).
Learn more about the ASC Association.
Read more from the ASCA:
- CMS: ASC Surveyors Are Not Required to Provide Documents, Gain Surgeon Consent
- Surgery Centers Report RAC Confusion Over ASC Billing Rules
- ASC Association Explains Medicare Enrollment Revalidation