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 is accepting comments on the proposed rule through September 11, 2017. The final rule is expected to be released 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.)

Please see the spine code spreadsheet 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. CMS addresses the following issues relevant to spine in the proposed rule:

Click here for a full summary of these changes. CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until September 11, 2017, and will issue the final rule by November 1, 2017.

 

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