News - Washington Updates
Facilities Can Review ASCQR Preview Reports During The Next Month
April 2016 Ambulatory Surgical Center Public (ASC) Reporting Preview Reports are available through the QualityNet Secure Portal for participating facilities. The preview reports are available from January 16 through February 14, 2016.The data in the preview reports will be reported on Hospital Compare, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website for Medicare beneficiaries…
ASCRS, AAO, and OOSS Release Recommendations Regarding Use of Enzyme Detergent for Cleaning Intraocular Surgical Instruments
The following clinical guideline on the use of enzyme detergent for cleaning intraocular instruments is being jointly released by ASCRS, AAO, and OOSS. Because of the risk of TASS, many ASCs do not use enzyme detergent to clean intraocular instruments. Because some regulatory agencies are citing this as a deficiency, this guideline is meant to…
CMS Defers Action on Payment for Office Cataract Surgery
As OOSS members are well aware, CMS solicited “information” in its 2016 proposed physician payment rule on the advisability of providing financial incentives for physicians to furnish cataract surgery in the office setting. OOSS submitted comprehensive comments objecting to such a policy, citing serious concerns about patient health and safety. CMS took no action on…
Leveling The Playing Field: Budget Legislation Will Limit Payments to Hospitals That Acquire Surgery Centers and Physician Practices
As you are aware, Congressional leaders and President Obama have announced a bipartisan agreement to fund the government for two years, raise the debt ceiling, and avoid premium increases for Medicare beneficiaries. Of particular significance to the ASC industry is a provision — which OOSS strongly supports — that would place a moratorium on hospitals…
CMS Releases Disappointing Final CY 2016 ASC Payment Regulation
On October 30, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its final CY 2016 payment rate regulation for hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) and ambulatory surgery centers (ASC). The highlights for ophthalmic ASCs: 2016 ASC Payment Rate Update. ASC payments are annually updated for inflation by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index…
OOSS Challenges CMS 2016 Proposed ASC Payment Rates & A Reminder to Submit Your Comments Regarding Cataract Surgery in the Office Setting
ASC Payment Comments On August 31, OOSS joined the AAO, ASCRS, the American Society of Retinal Specialists (ASRS), and the Society for Excellence in Eyecare (SEE) in submitting comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding its proposed 2016 ASC payment regulation. As in past years, we strenuously objected to CMS’ use…
Do You, as an OOSS Member, Support Payment for Cataract Surgery in the Office?
As we reported several weeks ago, CMS is considering establishing a payment mechanism for office cataract surgery. Citing advancements in technology, patient convenience, flexibility in scheduling surgery, and, of course, lower Medicare expenditures, CMS states that “we believe that there are advantages for all parties to furnishing appropriate cataract surgery cases in the non-facility setting.” …
CMS Soliciting Comments on Office-Based Cataract Surgery
In its proposed 2016 Medicare fee schedule regulation issued yesterday, CMS is soliciting information from interested stakeholders regarding the advisability of paying for cataract surgery in the office-based surgical suite. CMS cites a number of perceived advantages in implementing such a policy: advancements in technology; patient convenience; flexibility in scheduling surgery; and, lower Medicare expenditures,…
CMS Releases Proposed CY 2016 ASC Payment Regulation: 1.1 Percent ASC Update; Soliciting Comments on Unplanned Vitrectomy Quality Measure
On July 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its proposed CY 2016 payment rate regulation for hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) and ambulatory surgery centers (ASC). The proposed regulation will soon be published in the Federal Register, after which time OOSS and other interested parties will have an opportunity to submit public…
MedPAC Staff Recommends Zero Update For Surgery Centers In 2016
On December 18, the staff to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommended that ASCs be afforded no update in facility fees in 2016. MedPAC staff also recommended that facilities be subject to some form of Medicare cost reporting. The Commission will take up the staff recommendations in January. Because access to ASC services continues…