CMS is increasing Medicare payments for prostate HIFU ablation procedures performed in ASCs.
Here's what you should know:
1. CMS announced the change in its October 2017 ASC Payment System update. CMS now recognizes code C9747 as a device-intensive procedure.
2. CMS is increasing the payments from approximately $4,000 to $5,444.89.
3. Hospital-based payments for the procedure will remain at $7,500.
4. SonaCare Medical CEO said his company was pleased withe announcement. He said in a release, "HIFU ablation with Sonablate is suited ideally for delivery in an ASC. … An increased payment makes it more likely that prostate HIFU ablation will be offered in ASCs, thereby enabling greater opportunity to provide this single-visit procedure … to as many men as possible."
5. The Sonablate has been used to perform prostate HIFU ablations for 1,200-plus patients in 40-plus locations across the U.S.