CMS has issued an update of the ambulatory surgical center payment system.
Included in the update are:
- updates to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System;
- calendar year 2011 payment rates for separately payable drugs and biologicals, including long descriptors for newly created Level II HCPCS codes for drugs and biologicals; and
- calendar year 2011 ASC payment rates for covered surgical and ancillary services.
The updates became effective Jan. 1, with an implementation date of Jan. 3.
To review the changes, read the MLN Matters article about the update to the ASC payment system (pdf). The article addresses Change Request 7275, which can be viewed by clicking here (pdf).
Read more about payments to surgery centers:
- MedPAC Expected to Recommend Modest 2012 Increase for ASCs
- 3 Ways 2011 OIG Work Plan Impacts Ambulatory Surgery Centers
- OIG Issues Report on Improper Billing of Surgery Center Services for Skilled Nursing Facility Stays