Here are four legislative updates for ASC leaders to note from the past month.
CMS proposes 1.9% increase in 2018 ASC pay
CMS released a proposed rule updating the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and the Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System. CMS proposes increasing payment rates by 1.9 percent to ASCs that are meeting quality reporting requirements. CMS based the increase on the consumer price index but adjusted it in accordance with the ACA. For more on the proposal, click here.
House bill to expand Oregon ASCs' hours dies in Senate
The Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems' lobbying efforts contributed to officials killing House Bill 2664 in the Senate. The bill would have allowed Oregon ASCs to expand their hours, which sparked opposition from the hospital association.
Oklahoma ASCs face updated building standards to meet Medicaid, Medicare safety codes
The Oklahoma State Department of Health implemented new standards for building requirements applicable to ASCs and hospitals. The health department set the standards to meet current national Medicaid and Medicare safety code guidelines. The rules will go into effect Oct. 1.
ASC owners challenge Georgia's CON law in state Supreme Court
Cartersville-based Georgia Advanced Surgery Center for Women owners Hugo Ribot Jr., MD, and Malcolm Barfield, DO, sued the Georgia Department of Community Health, claiming the state's certificate-of-need legislation is unconstitutional. The ASC owners' lawyers testified in front of the state Supreme Court on June 26, saying the law violates anti-monopoly provisions in the Georgia Constitution.