Here are four legislative updates that could affect your surgery center:
The American Hospital Association sent a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma, arguing against a CMS proposed rule that would allow Medicare beneficiaries to undergo total knee replacements and some cardiac procedures at ASCs.
Ohio expanded the definition of an "ambulatory surgical facility" to include certain hospital outpatient departments and other previously exempt facilities, effective Oct. 17.
CMS released a final rule on Sept. 25 that is expected to eliminate unnecessary or obsolete compliance requirements for healthcare providers. As a result of the rule, ASCs won't have to have a written transfer agreement or hospital planning privileges for all physicians. Centers will need to provide hospitals with a document that includes information about their operation and their patient population.
The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association backed The ASC Quality and Access Act of 2019, which would affect how CMS handles payment and quality data for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments.
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