ASCA lauds passage of 21st Century Cures Act

Editor's Note

The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) on December 7 applauded Congress for passing the 21^st Century Cures Act, which includes two provisions that benefit Medicare patients and physicians in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs).

The first provision, Section 4012, directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a public website that allows Medicare patients to compare out-of-pocket costs and total expenses for procedures performed in hospital outpatient departments versus ASCs.

The second provision, Section 16003, protects physicians who practice in ASCs from penalties tied to Medicare’s meaningful use program and authorizes HHS to approve certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) for the ASC setting. Currently, no CEHRT is available for ASCs.