The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), today, reversed its long-standing limitation on ASCs performing procedures on the day they are scheduled. ASCs will now be allowed to provide patient notifications on the day the procedure is performed, clearing the way for same-day surgeries.

More...


The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has recommended that Congress repeal the current sustainable growth rate (SGR) policy, which is slated to result in an estimated 30% cut in the rates Medicare pays physicians in 2012. Instead, MedPAC recommends that Congress should freeze payment rates for primary care physicians for 10 years, reduce payment rates to non-primary care physicians by 5.9% for three years and, then, freeze payment rates for those providers for seven years. MedPAC is an independent congressional advisory group tasked with advising Congress on Medicare payment issues. Although its advice is not binding, it is highly influential.

More...


The ASC Association reported in this week's ASC Government Affairs Update on Congressional Committee's work this week to reduce the federal budget deficit.

More...


CMS will hold a National Provider Call Thursday, October 27, 2011; 12:30-2pm ET to discuss the revalidation of Medicare provider enrollment information.

More...


ASCA Government Affairs Update
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule outlining its 2012 payment policies for ASCs and HOPDs. A final version of the proposal is expected in late October or early November. The following are three key points the proposal raises.

More...


The ASC Association announced release of the proposed 2011 Medicare rates and payment policies.

The proposed 2011 Medicare rates and payment policies have been released. Of note in the proposal: the proposal provides a 0% inflation update (+1.6% estimated change in the consumer price index, -1.6 % due to the productivity adjustment mandated by the health care reform legislation = 0%); and the proposal does not require quality reporting.

Please keep in mind that the proposed 2011 rates are different than the 2010 rates for a variety of other factors. Additional resources and information will be available soon at
www.ascassociation.org.  A copy of the proposed rule is available at www.ascassociation.org/2011proposed.pdf 

More...
A1 Medical Gas Inc
http://www.imagefirst.com
Shared Health Services Corporation
SVA Healthcare
Source Medical