What you should know:
1. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation filed an amended rule that adopts the 2019 Medicare ASC rates, incorporates the Medicare ASC performance-based quality reporting program and sets payment adjustment factors. Details can be found here.
2. The proposal would also update reimbursement rates for 10 arthroplasty procedures.
3. The Ohio Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers submitted a comment about the rule, saying the reimbursement rate for implants is insufficient and affects arthroplasty utilization in ASCs. It was the only entity to submit a comment.
4. The organization also said “similar surgical settings should be reimbursed in an equitable manner and indicated that Medicare ASC rates have fallen behind inflation increases in other medical sectors,” according to a Common Sense Initiative Office memorandum.
5. The bureau responded to OAASC, saying it considered evaluating costs through alternative methodologies, including invoice reimbursement. It explained the ASC fee schedule is modeled after Medicare and cited methodology changes that benefit participating ASCs. The bureau ultimately made no changes to the draft rule based on OAASC’s comment.
6. A public hearing on the proposed fee schedule changes is scheduled for March 22.
More articles on orthopedics & TJR:
The key trends impacting pain management in ASCs: 3 insights from Dr. Evan Argintar
Total hip arthroplasty safe to perform in the outpatient setting: 3 study details
Alabama orthopedic practice to re-open satellite location: 4 notes
