MedPAC to recommend eliminating 2.8% rate increase for surgery centers

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission plans to recommend eliminating an expected 2.8 percent payment rate bump for surgery centers in 2021, according to Bloomberg Law.

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The panel, which advises lawmakers on Medicare payment policy, said that it will make the recommendation to Congress March 13, because it doesn’t have enough cost data from the surgery centers. 

MedPAC Chairman Francis J. Crosson said at a recent meeting that without cost data on items like drugs, medical supplies, medical equipment, labor costs, building expenses “it’s very difficult for this commission to make a recommendation for increased payments.”

In addition, the panel will also recommend establishing a mandate to require surgery centers to submit annual cost data to CMS.

“There is something visceral about not getting a cost report from [surgery centers],” commission member Brian DeBusk said at a recent panel meeting, according to Bloomberg Law. “At the rate they’re growing, yes, yes, and yes, we should get a cost report.”

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