Ambulatory Surgical Centers

This article describes changes to and billing instructions for payment policies implemented in the October 2008 ambulatory surgical center (ASC) update. [MM6205]

Beginning January 5, 2009, Medicare will pay physicians at the facility rate for procedures furnished in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) that are excluded from the list of covered ASC procedures. [MM6052]

Fee information for 2008 for procedure codes on the new ASC fee schedule. Select your CBSA, scroll to the code desired, press the "query fee" button, and the applicable fee(s) will be returned.

This article was revised on September 24, 2008, to change the reference in the “Impact on Providers” section to data loop 2310A, instead of 2310B. All other information is the same. [MM6129]

2008 payment amounts for services paid based on the ASC FS. [CR 5680, 5885]

ZIPPED TEXT files. Unformatted text files; may be downloaded into a spreadsheet or database. [CR 5680 5885]

Beginning January 1, 2008, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) are replaced by Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSAs). ASC providers need to know their CBSA before they can determine the correct fees.

[CR 5417]