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ADVAMED CHIEF COMMENTS ON RECENTLY RELEASED CMS RULES

August 11, 2006

AdvaMed President and CEO Steve Ubl Aug. 10 responded to proposed rules for ambulatory surgery center (ASC) reimbursement, the Outpatient Prospective Payment System and the Physician Fee Schedule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Aug. 8.

While the CMS regulations recognize the importance of maximizing patient treatment choice, proposed cuts for imaging procedures are a concern, Ubl said. Ubl said AdvaMed supports the passage of the Access to Medicare Imaging Act of 2006 (H.R. 5704 and S. 3795), which calls for a two-year moratorium on those cuts while the Government Accountability Office conducts a comprehensive study on imaging services.

There may also be "opportunities for further refinements to the ASC payment levels," Ubl added.