House passes legislation impacting ASCs

Editor's Note

The US House of Representatives on November 30 passed the 21^st Century Cures Act that includes two provisions benefiting Medicare patients and physicians in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association reports.

The first provision creates a public website that allows Medicare patients to compare differences in their out-of-pocket costs and in the total expenses for various surgeries when those procedures are performed in ambulatory settings.

The second protects physicians who practice in ASCs from penalties tied to Medicare’s meaningful use program.