On July 13, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2018 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System policy changes, quality provisions, and payment rates proposed rule. CMS will issue the final 2018 rule by November 1, 2017. (Please note that physician payment is made under the Physician Fee Schedule; hospitals are paid for outpatient services under the OPPS and ASCs are paid under the ASC payment system, both detailed in this rulemaking.)

ISASS submitted comments to CMS in support of the addition of CPT codes 22856 (Total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, including discectomy with end plate preparation (includes osteophytectomy for nerve root or spinal cord decompression and microdissection); single interspace, cervical) and 22858 (Total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, including discectomy with end plate preparation (includes osteophytectomy for nerve root or spinal cord decompression and microdissection); second level, cervical (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure) to the list of ASC-covered procedures. ISASS also provided comments on CMS’ proposed new a all-cause ASC quality measure, ASC-17, to measure unplanned hospital visits within seven days of an orthopedic procedure performed at an ASC.

Click here to read ISASS’ comment letter. Click here for a full summary of the proposed rule and here for a comprehensive comparison of reimbursements for spine procedures in both the Hospital Outpatient and ASC settings from the 2017 final rule to the 2018 proposed rule.