ASCs see 1.4% fee increase, addition of 11 spine codes to payment list

Why This Topic Matters

ASC payment-list changes and annual fee updates can affect whether procedures are payable in the ambulatory surgery center setting and influence facility revenue planning. Readers who manage outpatient surgical coding or reimbursement need to know which procedure categories were added and how the annual payment adjustment compares with other outpatient settings.

Article Sections

1. Surgery centers

   Introduces the 2015 Medicare ASC payment update and the addition of spine procedures to the ASC payment list. Also notes the policy background for the change.

2. The newly included codes and facility payments are:

   Presents the list of newly covered spine procedure codes and the associated ASC facility payment information.

3. ASC fees get a 1.4% payment boost next year

   Summarizes the annual ASC payment update and compares it with the hospital outpatient department increase.