Getting ready for the OAS CAHPS Survey 2025 requirement

Editor's Note

Starting in 2025, Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) will be required to participate in the Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (OAS CAHPS) Survey to comply with the ASC Quality Reporting Program, reports the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) and Outpatient Surgery Magazine March 4.

ASCs that do not comply with this upcoming requirement will “face reduced Medicare reimbursement rates in 2027 and beyond,” said ASCA. The OAS CAHPS survey, mandatory for these centers to avoid forfeiting the Annual Payment Update, consists of 34 questions across three sections aimed at evaluating facilities, staff, and the overall patient experience. The survey will allow patients to provide detailed comments on their experiences, which can help ASC leaders identify positive aspects of their care and address areas needing improvement such as communication barriers and service quality.

Outpatient Surgery Magazine compiled the following six-step checklist to implement the survey:

• Register for a login at oascahps.org.
• Complete the CMS Certification Number registration.
• Contract with one of the CMS-approved vendors (visit this ASCA page to see the chart of approved vendors).
• Authorize the contracted vendor to collect and submit survey data.
• Compile and deliver survey vendor list of patients.
• Get vendor will submit survey data to OAS CAHPS data center before January 1, 2025.

According to ASCA, Medicare is offering five ways for ASCs to offer this survey:

• mail only
• phone only
• mail with phone follow-up
• electronic with mail follow-up
• electronic with phone follow-up.

While the OAS CAHPS survey is being seen as an additional task for ASCs, the hope is it will become a beneficial tool for improving patient care and operational efficiency and building stronger relationships with the community.