As was reported in last month’s edition of the WISCA Advocacy Newsletter, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 proposed payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) on July 13.

Of note, CMS concurred with ASCA’s request and proposed to continue to align the ASC update factor with the one used to update HOPD payments, extending the five-year interim period an additional two calendar years (CY) through 2025. In addition, if the proposed rule were to be finalized as drafted, ASCs would see, on average over all covered procedures, an effective update of 2.8 percent—a combination of a 3.0 percent inflation update based on the hospital market basket and a productivity reduction mandated by the Affordable Care Act of 0.2 percentage points. It is important to note that CMS does not consider sequestration in its proposed rule. This statutory 2.0 percent reduction remains in effect unless Congress acts.

The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) – our national partner organization – has been keeping WISCA fully briefed on the proposed rule and has developed a national stakeholder letter outlining the ASC industry’s concerns and general thoughts on the rule. WISCA has signed onto the comment letter, which will be submitted to CMS prior to the September 11, 2023, deadline.