Complete Story
12/15/2016
President Barack Obama Signs 21st Century Cures Act
President Barack Obama has signed into law the 21st Century Cures Act. This legislation includes two key provisions that are important to ASCs and their physicians. CASA has been working with the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) to advocate the importance of this issue with our Congressional representatives. Thank you to all our CASA members who have reached out to their elected officials, including making the long trip to Washington, DC, to deliver the ASC message in person. These provisions were included in the larger 'Cures' legislation because they received broad, bipartisan support thanks to the combined efforts of ASC-supportive members and these grassroots efforts.
The first provision, Section 4012, directs the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a public, searchable web site that allows Medicare beneficiaries to compare differences in their out-of-pocket costs and in the total expenses for various surgeries when those procedures are performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) and ASCs.
The second provision, Section 16003, protects physicians who practice in an ASC from potential penalties tied to the Medicare meaningful use program. Current law requires Medicare providers to adopt and use certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) for a fixed percentage of their patients; unfortunately, no CEHRT is currently available for ASC encounters. As a result, physicians who bring patients to ASCs could face cuts in their professional fees even though meeting the program’s threshold is not possible in the ASC setting. This legislation protects physicians who perform surgery in ASCs and authorizes HHS to approve CEHRT for the ASC setting.
CASA and ASCA would like to thank all the individuals who made this possible. Your letters, phone calls and meetings with your elected officials are so important to educating our elected officials on how ASCs are an integral part of healthcare delivery.
ASCs and the Medi-Cal Payor-An Overview of the Medi-Cal Billing Process
Don’t miss the CASA seminar devoted to ASCs and the Medi-Cal payor. Medi-Cal is expanding in California and ASCs are seeing more of these patients each month. Often the Medi-Cal payor is new to ASCs and navigating the complexities can be time-consuming and frustrating. This one-day seminar will explore the complicated reimbursement model and provide ASCs with the tools to successfully provide necessary surgical services.
Our speakers want to hear from you in order to build a program that best meets the ASC's needs. What are your questions regarding Medi-Cal? Do you encounter certain areas that need clarification? Email areas that you would like to see addressed to info@casurgery.org. This information will assist our presenters in providing the most useful content.
The date of this important Seminar is Wednesday, February 22, 2017, and will be held in Costa Mesa. The program is designed to allow for one day travel without the need for overnight accommodations and extended time away from your center. For further program information and registration please access the links below.
CASA 2017 Membership Renewal
2017 is quickly approaching. Make sure your center is receiving all the benefits of CASA by processing your renewal for 2017. It is easy to renew online at www.casurgery.org/renew2017. This is a great opportunity to make sure your facility contacts are current and you are maximizing your membership.
