AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTERS: Gastro, Pain Management Docs Could Lose Money In ASCs

Article Overview

This article reviews a CMS final rule affecting Medicare payment for services furnished in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). It discusses broad changes to the ASC-covered procedure list, payment methodology, phase-in timing, and the expected impact on physician-owned ASCs and specialty practices such as gastroenterology, pain management, orthopedics, and multispecialty facilities. The piece is aimed at physicians, ASC owners, and revenue cycle/coding professionals who need to understand how the new Medicare ASC policy may affect site-of-service decisions and reimbursement planning.