Becker's Healthcare December 1, 2025
Federal payment updates, insurer reimbursement cuts and a wave of acquisitions are reshaping the ASC landscape heading into 2026.
Here are 10 major policy moves and market developments from 2025:
In the 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center final rule, published Nov. 21, CMS increased ASC payment rates 2.6% using the hospital market basket update. Hospital outpatient departments that meet quality reporting requirements will also receive a 2.6% increase.
CMS said it plans to apply the hospital market basket update to ASCs again next year while monitoring its impact. For 2026, the ASC conversion factor will be $56.322, compared to $91.415 for HOPDs.
CMS to phase out inpatient-only list, add 547...
Today's Sponsors
Today's Sponsor