Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) continue to expand their footprint in Medicare while delivering care at significantly lower cost than hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). That’s according to a recent status report from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). The report offers a high-level overview of ASC utilization, spending, quality and geographic distribution under fee-for-service Medicare. MedPAC is an independent congressional advisory body that analyzes Medicare … [Read more...]
MedPAC Recommends 4.6% Medicare Increase for Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), which advises Congress on Medicare policy, recommended a 1% base rate increase above current law to both hospital inpatient services and outpatient services for 2026. With that increase, the overall increase would be 4.6% based on the current projected hospital market basket increase of 3.6% for 2026. Analysts at Macquarie Capital noted that a hospital rate increase would have a positive impact on ambulatory surgery centers, including … [Read more...]