ASC Communications, Inc.

11 ASC MANAGEMENT How the CMS Final Rule will Affect Orthopedic ASCs: 5 Key Notes By Laura Dyrda O n Nov. 2, CMS received the 2018 final payment rule, providing a 1.2 percent increase in ASC reimbursement next year. e final rule also addressed several issues pertaining to orthopedic procedures in ASCs, including total joint replacements and spine procedures. Here are five ways the final rule will affect orthopedic ASCs, ac- cording to guidance from ASCA: 1. Total knee replacements: CMS removed total knee replacement from the inpatient only list, but did not add it to the ASC payable list. e agency will continue discussion on other joint replace- ment codes before removing them from the inpatient only list as well. While some in the industry are excited by this move, which could bring total knee replacements a step closer to the ASC pay- able list, others feel it could have a negative impact on an ASC's ability to negotiate fair contracts with private payers if CMS sets the rate too low. 2. Total and partial hip replacements: In the proposed final rule, CMS solicited comments for adding total and partial hip replace- ments to the ASC payable list, but decided not to add them in the final rule, stating, "Our understanding is that these procedures typically require more than 24 hours of active medical care follow- ing the procedure." 3. Spine surgery: CMS added two spine procedures to the ASC payable list, including total disc arthroplasty with discectomy (22856) and second-level cervical disc arthroplasty with discec- tomy (22858). 4. Quality reporting: A new quality measure was approved that will affect orthopedic surgery centers specifically: ASC-17 will collect data via claims for hospital visits aer orthopedic procedures in the ASC. Data collected over the next few years will affect payment determination in 2022 and subsequent years. 5. Payment rates: Overall, ASCs received a 1.2 percent reimburse- ment increase and hospital outpatient departments received a 1.35 percent increase. n Building and using your accreditation toolkit. 2017 Achieving Accreditation DEC 1–2 | LAS VEGAS, NV Save the date: March 16–17 | TAMPA, FL Registration opens January 2018. www.aaahc.org/achieve LEARN ABOUT THE 2018 STANDARDS!

• Cover