The bipartisan bill was passed in the House of Representatives on Nov. 30 and has two key provisions associated with Medicare patients:
1. Section 4012 directs the creation of a searchable website for Medicare beneficiaries to compare out-of-pocket costs and total expenses between ASCs and hospital outpatient departments.
2. Section 16003 protects physicians performing cases at ASCs from meaningful use penalties they’d face if they don’t adopt a certified EHR; there currently isn’t a certified EHR for ASCs. This legislation also gives HHS the ability to approve a certified EHR for ASCs.
The Senate is expected to vote next week on the legislation.
More articles on surgery centers:
AAAHC identifies 6 areas of improvement for ASCs to target
AmSurg, Envision Healthcare shareholders approve merger—4 key notes
The 5 ASC powerhouses: 35 things to know about the largest surgery center chains
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.