Newsline No. 24-10	Printer friendly
May 4, 2010

Division of Workers' Compensation announces ambulatory surgical center fee schedule stakeholder meeting

The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has scheduled a stakeholder meeting to discuss the issues related to drafting regulations regarding ambulatory surgical center (ASC) fees. The meeting will be held:

Date:	Thursday, May 27, 2010
Time:	10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place:	Elihu M. Harris State Office Building, Room 2 1515 Clay Street Oakland, California  94612

When the Official Medical Fee Schedule was enacted in 2004, Medicare’s ASC fee schedule was outdated.  Therefore, DWC decided to adopt the same fee schedule for ASCs as outpatient hospitals, which is 120% of the Medicare rate for outpatient surgery.  In 2008, Medicare updated its rates for ASC services, and DWC is now considering basing its ASC fee schedule on the Medicare ASC fee schedule.  This proposal is part of DWC’s 12-point plan to monitor and help control medical costs in California’s workers’ compensation system.

The division is interested in hearing comments, suggestions, and options regarding the ASC fee schedule from interested parties at the stakeholder meeting. Please RSVP to Maureen Gray at mgray@dir.ca.gov or (510) 286-0676.

To submit questions or issues for discussion, please e-mail them to Maureen Gray at mgray@dir.ca.gov or fax them to (510) 286-0687.

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