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CMS released the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule, which affects hospital payments and includes provisions for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and physician payments.
Thanks to the AGA members who submitted comments to the proposed rule, CMS withdrew plans to publicly post facility accreditation reviews and correction plans. Below is a summary of AGA’s position and where CMS landed on each issue.
1. Public display of final accreditation surveys and plans of correction.
Summary of AGA position – AGA urged CMS to withdraw its proposal making ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. To support shared transparency objectives, AGA recommended that if CMS were to finalize its proposal, the agency should first develop standards and a framework that considers both violation severity and scope.
CMS final rule – After consideration of the public comments received, CMS will not make ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. CMS was concerned that the suggestion to have accrediting organizations post their survey reports would appear as if it was attempting to circumvent current law, which prohibits CMS from disclosing survey reports or compelling the accrediting organizations to disclose the reports themselves.
2. EHR Incentive Program certification requirements for payment year 2018.
Summary of AGA position – AGA supported increased flexibility for 2018 and urged CMS to allow use of EHR technology certified to the 2014 software edition OR the 2015 software edition for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.
CMS final rule – CMS will allow health care providers to use either 2014 or 2015 CEHRT or a combination of 2014 and 2015 CEHRT for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.
3. Exception for ASC-based physicians under the EHR Incentive Program for payment years 2017 and 2018.
Summary of AGA position – AGA encouraged CMS to define ASC-based as a physician or other eligible professional who provides more than 50% of Medicare billed services in an ASC. AGA was concerned that implementing a higher threshold would leave certain physicians exposed to payment penalties, because the meaningful use requirement is set at 50% or more.
CMS final rule – Unfortunately, CMS set the definition of “ASC-based” as those who provide 75% of all services in an ASC, based on previous statutory definitions.
Policy changes are effective on Oct. 1, 2017, and changes to the 2017 and 2018 EHR Incentive Program apply immediately to the 2015 and 2016 reporting period, and provide relief that will impact 2017 and 2018 payments.
CMS released the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule, which affects hospital payments and includes provisions for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and physician payments.
Thanks to the AGA members who submitted comments to the proposed rule, CMS withdrew plans to publicly post facility accreditation reviews and correction plans. Below is a summary of AGA’s position and where CMS landed on each issue.
1. Public display of final accreditation surveys and plans of correction.
Summary of AGA position – AGA urged CMS to withdraw its proposal making ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. To support shared transparency objectives, AGA recommended that if CMS were to finalize its proposal, the agency should first develop standards and a framework that considers both violation severity and scope.
CMS final rule – After consideration of the public comments received, CMS will not make ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. CMS was concerned that the suggestion to have accrediting organizations post their survey reports would appear as if it was attempting to circumvent current law, which prohibits CMS from disclosing survey reports or compelling the accrediting organizations to disclose the reports themselves.
2. EHR Incentive Program certification requirements for payment year 2018.
Summary of AGA position – AGA supported increased flexibility for 2018 and urged CMS to allow use of EHR technology certified to the 2014 software edition OR the 2015 software edition for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.
CMS final rule – CMS will allow health care providers to use either 2014 or 2015 CEHRT or a combination of 2014 and 2015 CEHRT for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.
3. Exception for ASC-based physicians under the EHR Incentive Program for payment years 2017 and 2018.
Summary of AGA position – AGA encouraged CMS to define ASC-based as a physician or other eligible professional who provides more than 50% of Medicare billed services in an ASC. AGA was concerned that implementing a higher threshold would leave certain physicians exposed to payment penalties, because the meaningful use requirement is set at 50% or more.
CMS final rule – Unfortunately, CMS set the definition of “ASC-based” as those who provide 75% of all services in an ASC, based on previous statutory definitions.
Policy changes are effective on Oct. 1, 2017, and changes to the 2017 and 2018 EHR Incentive Program apply immediately to the 2015 and 2016 reporting period, and provide relief that will impact 2017 and 2018 payments.
CMS released the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule, which affects hospital payments and includes provisions for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and physician payments.
Thanks to the AGA members who submitted comments to the proposed rule, CMS withdrew plans to publicly post facility accreditation reviews and correction plans. Below is a summary of AGA’s position and where CMS landed on each issue.
1. Public display of final accreditation surveys and plans of correction.
Summary of AGA position – AGA urged CMS to withdraw its proposal making ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. To support shared transparency objectives, AGA recommended that if CMS were to finalize its proposal, the agency should first develop standards and a framework that considers both violation severity and scope.
CMS final rule – After consideration of the public comments received, CMS will not make ASC accreditation surveys open to the public. CMS was concerned that the suggestion to have accrediting organizations post their survey reports would appear as if it was attempting to circumvent current law, which prohibits CMS from disclosing survey reports or compelling the accrediting organizations to disclose the reports themselves.
2. EHR Incentive Program certification requirements for payment year 2018.
Summary of AGA position – AGA supported increased flexibility for 2018 and urged CMS to allow use of EHR technology certified to the 2014 software edition OR the 2015 software edition for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.
CMS final rule – CMS will allow health care providers to use either 2014 or 2015 CEHRT or a combination of 2014 and 2015 CEHRT for the 2018 EHR Incentive Program.
3. Exception for ASC-based physicians under the EHR Incentive Program for payment years 2017 and 2018.
Summary of AGA position – AGA encouraged CMS to define ASC-based as a physician or other eligible professional who provides more than 50% of Medicare billed services in an ASC. AGA was concerned that implementing a higher threshold would leave certain physicians exposed to payment penalties, because the meaningful use requirement is set at 50% or more.
CMS final rule – Unfortunately, CMS set the definition of “ASC-based” as those who provide 75% of all services in an ASC, based on previous statutory definitions.
Policy changes are effective on Oct. 1, 2017, and changes to the 2017 and 2018 EHR Incentive Program apply immediately to the 2015 and 2016 reporting period, and provide relief that will impact 2017 and 2018 payments.