The original proposal, released last summer by the California Division of Workers’ Compensation, would have tied ASC reimbursement to 120 percent of the fee paid by Medicare for the same services performed at a hospital outpatient department. The revised proposal — released in Dec. 2010 — reduces those rates by 20 percent, tying ASC reimbursement to 100 percent of the Medicare HOPD rate.
CASA has participated in two public hearings on the proposed rate reductions, arguing that outpatient surgery should receive the same payment regardless of setting. Injured workers’ access to outpatient surgery may decrease as a result of the reductions and ASC cases would be moved to the HOPD setting at a higher cost to the healthcare system, it argues.
At the most recent hearing, CASA and member facilities examined comparative costs of workers’ comp cases at ASCs and HOPDs.
Read more on workers’ comp:
–6 Questions Workers’ Comp Programs Ask Orthopedic Surgeons
–6 Physician Biases That Keep Workers’ Comp Out of Orthopedic ASCs
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.