MedPAC plans to recommend ASCs submit cost data to CMS and eliminate the anticipated 2 percent pay update for 2018, according to a Medpage Today report.
The group took a 2 percent budget sequester on Medicare payments into consideration when making their recommendations for 2018. Medpage reported the group came to a consensus on their recommendations but plan to hold a final vote next month. CMS does not have to take MedPAC's recommendations.
Here are five key notes:
1. The Commission has recommended eliminating the 2 percent payment update for the past four years, but CMS has opted to increase ASC pay each year. Next year ASCs will receive a 1.9 percent Medicare payment update.
2. The number of ASCs is growing and there has been an increase in Medicare beneficiaries using these centers, which is why MedPAC plans to recommend cutting the 2 percent payment update for ASCs. The Commission feels their recommendation wouldn't impact access to care, according to the report.
3. The Commission also addressed data gathering and reporting, noting CMS has gathered quality measures for ASCs since 2012 and began docking payments for centers that didn't report in 2014. However, the data wasn't released publicly until this year and "some quality data have remained hidden."
Medpage reported some at MedPAC suggested higher penalties for submitting data while others emphasized finding a better set of quality measures to report. The Commission also plans to recommend ASCs submit cost data in the future.
4. MedPAC's technical staff reported potential new quality measures may include tracking surgical site infections or hospital admissions after surgery at an ASC.
5. MedPAC doesn't intend to recommend changes to hospital inpatient or outpatient service payments for 2018.