What will be the biggest benefit to ASCs under the new rules?
A. The expansion of the list of procedures that can be performed in ophthalmic ASCs can be considered a total “win” for ASCRS and OOSS. Literally hundreds of additional procedures are being added to the “approved” list. “The new list includes all procedures with only a few exclusions. It should be significantly less confusing,” says William Fishkind, M.D., F.A.C.S., president of OOSS. “In regard to new procedures, many plastic surgery procedures will now be eligible for ASC reimbursement. This is an area of potential growth. Additionally, retinal procedures, especially membrane peels and vitrectomy, are now eligible for payment at a high enough level to make this attractive to ASCs. I would predict exponential growth in this area. Doing these procedures in an ASC is better for patients and fits the mission for ASCs.” Beginning on Jan. 1, almost any ophthalmic procedure can be performed in an ASC, excluding only those services that impose a significant risk or that require an overnight
