ASA Provides Feedback to CMS on Issues Included in the 2022 OPPS Proposed Rule

ASA has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on issues included in the Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Systems proposed rule.

•  ASA supports CMS’s decision to halt the elimination of the Inpatient Only (IPO) list. We offer a list of concerns CMS should take into account as it considers future action and urge the agency to work collaboratively with all stakeholders as it considers next steps. 
• ASA offers feedback in response to the Request for Information on Rural Emergency Hospitals included in the proposed rule making specific note of the need for access to tertiary care, appropriate use of telehealth and other remote service capacities and the need to address maternal morbidity and mortality rates.
• ASA urges CMS to finalize its proposal to expand its policy of separate payment for certain non-opioid pain medications beyond the ACS environment and to include the hospital outpatient environment. 

CMS will consider all comments and release a final rule later this year.