MedPAC also recommended that ASCs should be required to submit cost and quality data.
MedPAC recommended 0.6 percent because "that is the difference between the most recent published estimates of input price increases, which is measured by the CPI-U (Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers), as required by law, and the Commission’s productivity goal," said Dr. Dan Zabinski, according to the transcript.
Dr. Zabinski also said noted that MedPAC will discuss whether the CPI-U is an appropriate measure of input price increase.
Dr. Zabinski ended his presentation by stating that the recommendations would have no impact on beneficiaries access to ASC services, which is "especially important because beneficiaries typically have lower cost sharing if they receive a procedure in an ASC rather than an HOPD," according to the transcript.
Glenn Hackbarth, JD, chair of MedPAC, followed Dr. Zabinski’s presentation with a suggestion that MedPAC, in the future, "take up what would be a more appropriate market basket for the ASC Payment System," a change that the ASC Association has long advocated and was recently recommended to MedPAC in a Dec. letter from the ASC Association (pdf).
Read the Jan. 8 MedPAC transcript (pdf). The discussion on ASCs begins on p. 117.
