CMS' proposed rule for the 2013 Outpatient Proposed Payment System has garnered almost 300 comments as the public comment period closes, according to a Health Leaders Media report.
The proposed rule made significant changes in how CMS calculates ambulatory payment classifications, as well as how it reimburses hospitals for payable drugs and biologics. CMS proposed to change the way it calculates APC relative weights by shifting from median cost data to geometric mean cost. CMS says the new system will better capture the ranges of costs of services.
The American Hospital Association supported the proposal, but said the agency should proceed "cautiously and transparently" to avoid unintended consequences for hospitals and patients.
ASCA submitted comments to CMS this week, stressing that the agency needs to align ASC and HOPD reimbursements by adjusting policies within the ASC payment system to ensure a level playing field for outpatient surgical services. In particular, ASCA asked the agency to use the same inflation update factor for ASCs as it does for HOPDs, to bring transparency to the process of choosing ASC-eligible procedures and to enhance education efforts about the ASC quality reporting program that will launch Oct. 1.
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The proposed rule made significant changes in how CMS calculates ambulatory payment classifications, as well as how it reimburses hospitals for payable drugs and biologics. CMS proposed to change the way it calculates APC relative weights by shifting from median cost data to geometric mean cost. CMS says the new system will better capture the ranges of costs of services.
The American Hospital Association supported the proposal, but said the agency should proceed "cautiously and transparently" to avoid unintended consequences for hospitals and patients.
ASCA submitted comments to CMS this week, stressing that the agency needs to align ASC and HOPD reimbursements by adjusting policies within the ASC payment system to ensure a level playing field for outpatient surgical services. In particular, ASCA asked the agency to use the same inflation update factor for ASCs as it does for HOPDs, to bring transparency to the process of choosing ASC-eligible procedures and to enhance education efforts about the ASC quality reporting program that will launch Oct. 1.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing & Collections:
California Sues Plastic Surgeon for Aggressive Billing Tactics
NovaHealth, Aetna Collaboration Lowed Costs, Hospital Readmissions
5 Crucial Points on Moving Out-of-Network as an ASC