ASCA NEWS Medicare could also save money
by demanding that providers be more efficient. Efficiency could be accom- plished in several ways. Providers could simply be paid less. The ACA contains a provision that reduces Medicare payments by a productivity factor, which in essence, represents an expectation that providers become more efficient over time and can do more with less. Efficiency could also be encour-
aged by incentivizing patients to seek care in the least costly setting that meets their clinical needs. ASCs could stand to gain from such policies if the result is that volume migrates from the more costly hospital out- patient department (HOPD) setting. However, ASCs might also see a loss
It will be critical for ASCs to be engaged in any reform efforts so that they can limit harmful changes and take advantage of opportunities.
—Jonathan Beal
in the volume of certain procedures as they migrate to the less costly physi- cian office setting. Efficiency could also be fostered through programs such as accountable care organizations or strategies such as bundled payments that attempt to in- crease cooperation among health care providers. How effective such strate- gies will be in creating efficiency re- mains to be seen, but achieving it might mean that ASCs will need to become
more connected to other providers in some markets. It also might mean that ASCs will face greater competition in some locations as health systems be- come more consolidated. Potential Medicare reform pres- ents both challenges and opportuni- ties for ASCs. It will be critical for ASCs to be engaged in any reform efforts so that they can limit harm- ful changes and take advantage of opportunities.
ASC FOCUS APRIL 2013
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