CMS has officially ruled that Medicare patients are no longer required to undergo bariatric surgery at an accredited facility, despite strong opposition from groups including the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and American College of Surgeons.
In July, when CMS was in the process of deciding whether or not to keep the requirement, medical societies published a study in Surgical Endoscopy that found mortality rates at non-accredited centers were 0.22 percent and 0.06 percent at accredited facilities.
The Obesity Society, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Society of Bariatric Physicians and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists also oppose the CMS decision.
Major insurers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and United Healthcare, still support bariatric procedures being performed in an accredited facility.
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In July, when CMS was in the process of deciding whether or not to keep the requirement, medical societies published a study in Surgical Endoscopy that found mortality rates at non-accredited centers were 0.22 percent and 0.06 percent at accredited facilities.
The Obesity Society, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Society of Bariatric Physicians and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists also oppose the CMS decision.
Major insurers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and United Healthcare, still support bariatric procedures being performed in an accredited facility.
More Articles on Accreditation:
CEO Roundtable on Cancer Accredits SUNY Upstate Medical University
Joint Commission Accredits Abington Memorial as Comprehensive Stroke Center
American College of Radiology Accredits Tulare Regional Medical Center