Starting Oct. 1, 2012, a new CMS rule created through healthcare reform will require Medicare-eligible ASCs to submit reports on five quality measures or face a 2 percent payment reduction. The initial five quality metrics are the number of 1) patient burns; 2) patient falls; 3) surgeries that are wrong site, wrong side, wrong patient, wrong procedure, or wrong implant; 4) surgeries requiring a hospital transfer or admission; and 5) the number of patients who did not receive an IV antibiotic within one or two hours before incision.
A year after the implementation date, the list will include facility volume for some gastrointestinal, eye, nervous system, musculoskeletal, skin and genito-urinary codes. The year after that, the list expands further to include the percentage of healthcare personnel who receive influenza vaccinations.
“I believe the pay-for-reporting quality metrics will be good for our industry because it will raise the bar for all ASCs,” said David Covert, CEO of Phoenix-based Banner Surgery Centers, which is part of Banner Health and has 10 surgery centers in Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.
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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.