Coverage Expanded at Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Procedures involving the implantation of cardiac devices are mostly slated for increases: from 5% for bare-metal stents to 14% for drug-eluting stents, and 3%–20% for defibrillators.
Payment for the implantation of neurologic devices would also increase under the proposal. For instance, implantation of a neurostimulator would rise from $11,500 in 2007 to $12,500 in 2008.
Hospitals will get an automatic 2% cut in fees in 2009 if they don't report on 10 quality measures in 2008, including five measures on how well emergency departments handle MI; two surgical care measures (the selection and timing of antibiotic prophylaxis); one heart failure measure (ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker given); one on community-acquired pneumonia (empiric antibiotic); and a diabetes measure (poor hemoglobin A1c control).
