Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/774636
37 CODING & BILLING CMS Final Rule Increases ASC Pay 1.9% in 2017: 5 Things to Know By Laura Dyrda C MS released the final 2017 ASC payment rule with plans to increase payment rates next year, and ASCA outlined the key components for ASCs. Here are five things to know about the final rule: 1. Payments to ASCs will increase 1.9 percent in 2017. e percentage increase is based on the 2.2 percent projected rate of inflation with 0.3 percentage point productivity adjustment which the ACA requires. e increase is larger than the proposed 1.2 percent increase released earlier in 2016. 2. e hospital outpatient departments will receive a 1.65 percent. CMS is implementing Section 603 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, stat- ing certain off-campus provider-based departments will be paid under the physician fee schedule beginning Jan. 1, 2017. 3. ere are 10 new codes added to the ASC payable procedures list for next year. e codes include spinal fusions, spinal fixation device inser- tion, spinal prosthetic devices, interbody biomechanical device inser- tion and intervertebral biomechanical device insertion. Despite ASCA advocating for several other codes, CMS reported the codes didn't meet criteria for inclusion, but the missing criteria wasn't explained. 4. ere were seven new quality reporting measures added to the ASC Quality Reporting Program for the 2020 payment determinations. Two of the measures require ASCs to submit data to CMS through a web-based tool — ASC-13: Normothermia Outcome and ASC-14: Un- planned Anterior Virectomy. e five finalized measures that are based on the Outpatient and Am- bulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems include: • ASC-15a: OAS CAHPS — About Facilities and Staff • ASC-15b: OAS CAHPS — Communication About Procedure • ASC-15c: OAS CAHPS — Preparation for Discharge and Recovery • ASC-15d: OAS CAHPS — Overall Rating of Facility • ASC-15e: OAS CAHPS — Recommendation of Facility 5. To meet reporting requirements, ASCs must have 300 completed surveys and the survey "will need to be operational in facilities by 2018." ASCA plans to continue advocacy efforts to reduce the length and number of completed surveys necessary before OAS CAHPS is fully implemented. n SELL YOUR ASC REAL ESTATE ASCs Inc. helps you maximize the value of your aSC real eState "the industry leader in aSC sales." "ASCs Inc. helps physician-owners of ASCs realize the maximum value from their ASC business and ASC/MOB real estate. Since 1984 we have helped physicians with over 500 beneficial ASC partnership and real estate transactions. Please call us so we can discuss how we can help you achieve your goals." — Jon Vick, President • Highest prices in decades • Sell and Leaseback • Excellent market for selling • More buyers than sellers • A seller's market • Long term, triple-net leases Call today to get a free valuation of your ASC/MOB real estate! Contact Jon Vick at JonVick@ASCs-Inc.com 760-751-0250 or visit us online at www.ASCs-Inc.com • No personal guarantees • High valuations • Free-up your capital • No increase in rent • Low selling costs • Tax deferred exchanges