The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the addition of the following codes to the list of procedures payable when performed at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs):
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0171T, Lumbar spine process distraction;
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0172T, Lumbar spine process add;
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37241, Vascular embolize/occlude venous;
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37242, Vascular embolize/occlude artery;
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37243, Vascular embolize/occlude organ;
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49406, Image cath fluid peri/retro;
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57120, Closure of vagina;
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57310, Repair urethrovaginal lesion;
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58260, Vaginal hysterectomy, for uterus 250 grams or less;
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58262, Vaginal hysterectomy, for uterus 250 grams or less, including tubes/ovaries;
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58543, Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, uterus above 250 grams;
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58544, Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy uterus above 250 grams, with removal of tube(s) and/or ovary(s);
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58553, Laparoscopic-vaginal hysterectomy complex;
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58554, Laparoscopic-vaginal hysterectomy with tubes/ovaries compl;
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58573, Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with tubes/ovaries, uterus over 250 grams;
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63046, Remove spine lamina, one, thoracic;
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63055, Decompress spinal cord, thoracic.
The ASC Association (ASCA) advocated for the addition of these codes, and leaders said they were pleased to see six codes added that were not included in the proposed rule.
“ASCA always appreciates any additions to the ASC procedure list, but we believe that there are hundreds of additional procedures that ASCs could be safely providing to Medicare beneficiaries,” said ASCA CEO Bill Prentice. “Allowing ASCs to perform more outpatient procedures would increase access to care for those served by the Medicare program while also saving the system billions of dollars over time.”
CMS did not finalize its proposal to align the reporting deadline for all web-based measures in the ASC Quality Reporting Program beginning next year, ASCA reported. Citing concerns raised by the industry, the deadline for those measures submitted via QualityNet (ASC-6, ASC-7, ASC-9, and ASC-10) will remain Aug. 15 in 2016. ASCs will be required to report on ASC-8 via the National Healthcare Safety Network by May 15, 2016. CMS did not add any new measures to the ASC Quality Reporting Program for 2016.
