Ambulatory and Outpatient Care

The American Hospital Association (AHA) shares resources on proposed and final rules related to ambulatory and outpatient care with hospitals and health systems.

Rep. Derek Kilmer, D- Wash., today urged support for his legislation – the Protecting Local Access to Care for Everyone Act (H.R. 2552) – which would prevent payment reductions for hospital outpatient clinic visit services furnished in off-campus provider-based departments that are grandfathered…
Medicare patients who receive care in a hospital outpatient department clinic are more likely to be poor, previously hospitalized and have severe chronic conditions than those treated in an ambulatory surgical center, according to a study by KNG Health Consulting released today by the AHA.
A new study from the American Hospital Association (AHA) reveals that Medicare patients who receive care in a hospital outpatient department (HOPD) clinic are more likely to be poorer, have severe chronic conditions, and have been previously hospitalized, than Medicare patients treated in an…
This study examines how Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) beneficiaries receiving surgical care in HOPDs compare to those receiving care in ASCs.   Download the report for details.
The New York Times editorial on proposed Medicare cuts to off-campus hospital outpatient departments (March 26) fails to reflect the significant differences between hospitals, independent physician offices and other sites of care.
On Nov. 2, CMS issued its calendar year 2019 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS)/ambulatory surgical center (ASC) final rule. In addition to standard updates, the OPPS rule expands Medicare “site-neutral” payment policies and makes changes to the payment policies for 340B-acquired drugs.…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today released the calendar year 2019 outpatient prospective payment system/ambulatory surgical center final rule.