Ambulatory surgical centers last week received a 2.6% boost in their Medicare prospective payment rates.
The adjustment is based on projected inflation rates for the 12 months ending March 31, 1997. Under the HCFA rule published last week, facility service payment rates will range from $312 to $935 per patient for the eight groups of procedures performed in ambulatory surgical centers.
The ambulatory surgical center payment rate also has an effect on hospital reimbursement because it is the basis for some payments to hospital outpatient departments for ambulatory procedures.
