October 7, 2008
October 2008 update to the ASC payment system and payment policy changes
Effective Date: October 1, 2008
Implementation Date: October 6, 2008
Summary
This change provides updates to the following:
• payment rates for selected separately payable drugs and biologicals
• rates and descriptors for newly-created level II health care procedure code system (HCPCS) codes for drugs and biologicals
• correct reporting of drugs and biologicals when used as implantable devices
• correct reporting of units for drugs
Other changes not related to drugs and biologicals include:
• Payment for office-based procedures and covered ancillary radiology services
Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) requires that the Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) update, that was originally applicable to dates of service January 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008, be extended through December 31, 2008.
Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) requires that the Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) update, that was originally applicable to dates of service January 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008, be extended through December 31, 2008.
• Payment for brachytherapy sources
For dates of service July 1, 2008, through December 31, 2009, payment for brachytherapy sources will be made at contractor-priced amounts, consistent with payment policy for the revised ASC payment system when no outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) rate is available.
For dates of service July 1, 2008, through December 31, 2009, payment for brachytherapy sources will be made at contractor-priced amounts, consistent with payment policy for the revised ASC payment system when no outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) rate is available.
Additional information is available on the CMS Web site. Here is the link to the MLN Matters article MM6205 
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.Source: CMS MLN Matters Special Edition Article MM6205
