Ambulatory surgery centers in California are facing a 20 percent reduction in reimbursement under proposed regulations from the California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC), according to a news release from the California Ambulatory Surgery Association.
The DWC is proposing to keep HOPDs at the current fee schedule and reduce ASC reimbursement to 100 percent of the CMS HOPD fee schedule.
According to the news release, "The CASA Board takes exception to the DWC removing ASCs from parity with the HOPD. The services provided to the injured worker are the same regardless of the site of service and the reimbursement should reflect this. Disrupting the equilibrium between HOPDs and ASCs will cause surgery centers to opt out of treating workers' compensation clients due to cost concerns and creates potential gamesmanship incentives to move patients to a more 'lucrative' setting."
CASA is calling for surgery centers to voice their displeasure about the proposal by attending an upcoming DWC hearing on Jan. 25 and submitting comments to the DWC.
Read the CASA news release about proposed changes to workers' compensation reimbursement.
Read more about surgery center state and national issues:
- New Head of ASC Association William Prentice Shares Thoughts on the Industry
- MedPAC Expected to Recommend Modest 2012 Increase for ASCs
- New Jersey Out-of-Network Bill Passes Assembly