The AAHKS Keynote Session – AAHKS Town Hall Meeting this year featured discussion about important issues related to site of service, including changes to inpatient, outpatient and ASC care, as well as the impact of the CMS Two-Midnight rule on care delivery. Panelists discussed updates on the move towards value-based care and proposed Stark Rule, Anti-Kickback Statutes, and physician ownership issues, as well as physician ownership changes and payment reform issues.
Members in attendance were polled, and the results showed that about 57% intend to treat appropriately screened Medicare patients in the ASC setting and 45% are currently participating in a CMS bundled payment pilot. The poll also showed that 94% of attendees reported they believe patient optimization has increased their practice work effort. Finally, 91% are still dealing with problems or confusion related to the removal of TKA from the CMS inpatient only list.