ISASS submits comments on 2023 Outpatient Prospective Payment System/Ambulatory Surgical Center Proposed Rule Released

On September 13, 2022, ISASS submitted comments to CMS on calendar year (CY) 2023 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems Proposed Rule, which includes proposals to update payment rates, policies, and regulations affecting Medicare services furnished in hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center (ASC) settings beginning in CY 2023.

Areas that ISASS commented on include:

• Proposed APC payments for new/emerging spine surgical procedures performed in outpatient and ASC settings.
• Proposals to ensure continued access to mental health services via telehealth following the conclusion of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
• Proposal to maintain its site neutrality process but also, for the first time, to exempt rural sole community hospitals from the existing policy.
• Payment policies for rural emergency hospitals (the new hospital type authorized by legislation enacted in 2020).
• Proposed language further cementing flexibilities allowing certain nonphysician practitioners to supervise select diagnostic services.
• Compensation to hospitals for the increased cost of acquiring certain personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To read the ISASS comment letter, see attached.