Here are four legislative changes impacting the healthcare industry for ASC leaders to note from the past month:
CMS announced a new voluntary bundled payment program in January. The program was met with mixed reactions. For example, while the American Hospital Association supports the principles of the program, the organization said its members need more time and answers before applying to the program. For a full breakdown of the program, click here.
CMS also issued a statement announcing it would allow states to apply for several waivers for their Medicaid programs. One such waiver would allow states to implement a work requirement for abled-bodied adults receiving Medicaid benefits. Professional societies are concerned the waivers could be misused or misinterpreted and could limit access to care.
President Donald Trump's administration proposed a new spending plan that would increase military spending, create a fund for the controversial border wall and cut approximately $554 billion in Medicare spending over the next decade. The cuts would decrease site-neutral payments, endangering independent physician groups.
The World Health Organization published a draft of ICD-11 that includes new chapters and changes to code structures. For an overview of the changes, click here.