Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Applauds Critical VA Health Care Reform Legislation that Supports Veterans’ Access to Private-Sector Care
WASHINGTON, DC, MAY 24, 2018—Yesterday, Congress passed the VA MISSION Act to reform the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) applauds Congress for taking this important step to ensure access to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) for veterans across the country. The VA MISSION Act will coalesce all non-VA provider programs into one Veterans Community Care Program in 2019 and institute a new, more reliable claims reimbursement process.
ASCs proudly provide high-quality, cost-effective surgical and preventive care, including orthopedic, endoscopic, pain management and other important procedures, to veterans. Unfortunately, challenges within the current non-VA provider programs cause significant delays in reimbursement to providers. Most ASCs are small businesses and depend on timely reimbursement to remain viable in a fluid health care environment.
To address these challenges, ASCA endorsed the Veterans Deserve Better Act (H.R. 4783/S. 2239), introduced by Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (D-NV) in the US House of Representatives and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in the US Senate. This bill, whose language was included in the VA MISSION Act, would enable the more than 5,600 Medicare-certified ASCs nationwide to continue to deliver efficient community care to veterans through a reliable claims process that requires claims be reimbursed in 30-45 days for non-VA providers.
“ASCs have provided veterans with essential services for years. That said, our members encounter untenable wait times for claims reimbursement—often waiting longer than 12 months to receive payment for services rendered,” stated ASCA Chief Executive Officer William Prentice. “Our members save the health care system billions of dollars annually, as ASCs are reimbursed by Medicare and the VA at 53% of the rate in similar sites of care for the same procedures. ASCs are committed to providing high-quality outpatient care, and the expedited claims reimbursement process outlined in the VA MISSION Act will support ASCs in serving our veterans.” For more information on veterans health care issues, visit ASCA’s website.
###
About the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association
The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association is the national membership association that represents ambulatory surgery centers and provides advocacy and resources to assist members in delivering high-quality, cost-effective ambulatory surgery to all the patients they serve. Learn more at www.ascassociation.org and www.advancingsurgicalcare.com. For media inquiries, contact Kay Tucker (ktucker@ascassociation.org; 703.636.0491).