Medicare: Alternatives for Computing Payments for Hospital Outpatient Surgery
HRD-90-78
Published: Apr 03, 1990. Publicly Released: Apr 03, 1990.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed three alternatives to the current Medicare payment methodology for hospital outpatient surgery.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Because it may be some time before a prospective payment system for hospital outpatient surgery is designed and implemented, Congress should consider an interim solution to the shortcomings of the current payment methodology. Depending on the policy objectives to be satisfied, either the first or second alternative presented in this report would be suitable. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Congress elected not to revise the current payment system but to move toward a prospective payment system for hospital outpatient surgery. |
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Topics
Billing proceduresHealth insurance cost controlHospital care servicesHospitalsInsurance premiumsMedicarePatient care servicesPaymentsStandards evaluationSurgeryOutpatient care