Becker's ASC Review

35 CODING & BILLING CMS eliminates ASC hospital transfer agreement requirement in new rule By Laura Dyrda A new CMS rule will make it easier for ASCs to run efficient and effective operations. CMS released its final rule on Sept. 25: "Regulatory Provisions to Promote Pro- gram Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction," which is expected to eliminate unnecessary or obsolete compliance require- ments for healthcare providers. e agency estimates that changes could save $843 mil- lion within the first year of implementation. ASCA spent several years working with CMS to address concerns related to the provisions of this final rule. "We are pleased to see this support for patient access to ASCs and look forward to working with CMS on other initiatives that will enable Medicare patients to take fuller advantage of top-quality, lower cost care ASCs deliver," said Kara Newbury, ASCA director of government and regula- tory counsel. As a result of the new rule: 1. ASCs won't be required to have a written transfer agreement or hospital planning privileges for all physicians. Centers will need to provide hospitals with a document that includes information about their opera- tion and patient population. 2. CMS is working on a final proposal to require ASCs to create a policy for identify- ing patients that need a medical history and physical examination before surgery, instead of requiring this from all patients 30 days prior to the procedure. ASCA spells out the potential information CMS would require about the patient's history and physical examination here. 3. ASCs will be allowed to review their emer- gency preparedness plan every two years instead of every year, and they won't need to contact local, tribal, regional, state and fed- eral emergency preparedness officials as part of their plan. e training for emergency preparedness is now only required every two years as well, instead of annually. "is rule makes it easier for ambulatory surgery centers to remain efficient and affordable providers of outpatient surgery without compromising their commitment to patient safety," said ASCA CEO William Prentice. n Value-based care is coming, says CEO of N.C. ASC By Alan Condon W ith changes in care and reimbursement shifting toward value-based care, ASCs are redefining how they view reimbursement. Value-based care is coming and ASCs need to get on board "whether you like it or not," said to Jacob Rod- man, of Raleigh (N.C.) Neurosurgical Clinic, during a panel session at the Becker's ASC Review 26th Annual Meeting in Chicago on Oct. 24. "When we look at a bundle, it's really putting the ball in our court. It's up to us to manage the expenses and manage the patients and it's changing the way we think in terms of you do a surgery, you get paid," Mr. Rodman said. RNC is preparing for bundled payments to be the way of the future. Blue Cross Blue Shield recently rolled out several bundles and value-based care initiatives, which could be a significant opportunity. Bundled payments are putting the ball in the ASC court where they will be responsible for managing expenses and managing the patients, Mr. Rodman said. "It's changing the way we think in terms of you do a surgery, you get paid," Mr. Rodman said. "I'm used to seeing surgeries come in and no longer than 30 days later, we get paid for them. Under these bundles, that's not the way that happens but the end result can be that much greater." n Dives Deep into What Matters" Learn strategies for operational and financial success from the experts. Comprehensively takes you through all stages of developing and expertly managing an ASC. Plus the business of managing staff and physicians to create cultures of excellence for patients. A must read for new and seasoned ASC professionals. Over 700 copies now in circulation. 4.9 Amazon rating. ASDManagement.com Book & Kindle formats. Easy online ordering Books@ASDManagement.com H

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