The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association lauded the recently passed VA Mission Act that aims to reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' healthcare system.
Here's what you should know.
1. Both legislative branches passed the act. It's expected to reach President Donald Trump's desk sometime this week.
2. The VA Mission Act will merge all non-VA provider programs into a Veterans Community Care Program in 2019 to create a streamlined, reliable claims reimbursement process, among other elements.
3. ASCA supported the legislation because the current program poses a number of challenges to ASCs. ASCs fall into the current non-VA provider program and struggle because of significant reimbursement delays.
4. Under the new bill, more than 5,600 Medicare-certified ASCs will receive reimbursement between 30 and 45 days, a significant improvement from the current wait.
ASCA CEO William Prentice said, "ASCs have provided veterans with essential services for years. That said, our members encounter untenable wait times for claims reimbursement — often waiting longer than 12 months to receive payment for services rendered... ASCs are committed to providing high-quality outpatient care, and the expedited claims reimbursement process outlined in the VA Mission Act will support ASCs in serving our veterans."