The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 proposed payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) on July 13. Of note, CMS concurred with ASCA’s request and proposed to continue to align the ASC update factor with the one used to update HOPD payments, extending the five-year interim period an additional two calendar years (CY) through 2025.
If the proposed rule were to be finalized as drafted, ASCs would see, on average over all covered procedures, an effective update of 2.8 percent—a combination of a 3.0 percent inflation update based on the hospital market basket and a productivity reduction mandated by the Affordable Care Act of 0.2 percentage points. Please note that this is an average and that updates might vary significantly by code and specialty. It is also important to note that CMS does not consider sequestration in its proposed rule. This statutory 2.0 percent reduction remains in effect unless Congress acts.
Although ASCA provided a list of 63 codes for procedures that are being performed safely in ASCs on non-Medicare populations to be added to the ASC Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL), CMS added only one of the requested codes—G0330 (Facility svs dental rehab)—as part of a larger policy change that includes the proposed addition of 26 dental surgical codes. CMS provided no comment on the lack of inclusion of the other surgical codes ASCA proposed for addition to the ASC-CPL, which included total shoulder arthroplasty.
Regarding the ASC Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program, CMS proposed to readopt, with modification, ASC-7: ASC Facility Volume Data on Selected ASC Surgical Procedures, with voluntary reporting in the CY 2025 reporting period followed by mandatory reporting beginning with the CY 2026 reporting period. CMS also proposed to adopt ASC-21: Risk-Standardized Patient Reported Outcome-Based Performance Measure (PRO-PM) Following Elective Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) and/or Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) in the ASC Setting (THA/TKA PRO-PM), with voluntary reporting beginning with the CY 2025 and 2026 reporting periods followed by mandatory reporting beginning with the CY 2027 reporting period. In addition, CMS proposed modifications to ASC-11: Cataracts Visual Function (previously referred to as Cataracts: Improvement in Patient’s Visual Function within 90 Days Following Cataract Surgery), but the measure remains voluntary at this time.
Unfortunately, ASC-20: COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel was proposed to remain in the ASCQR Program, with some modification. ASCA will continue to oppose this burdensome measure.
ASCA will provide additional resources soon, including a rate calculator that allows users to determine what ASCs will be paid locally if the proposal is adopted as well as template letters to assist facilities when commenting on the rule. Comments can be submitted through September 11, 2023. WISCA will be working with ASCA to develop and submit comments that reflect the concerns of Wisconsin surgery centers.
