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Societies urge CMS not to reverse certification requirement for bariatric surgery
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Several major medical societies have issued a joint letter to CMS requesting it not to reverse its requirement that medical facilities obtain certification to perform bariatric surgery.
CMS, citing a lack of evidence indicating an impact on outcomes among Medicare recipients in a proposed decision memo, is considering overturning its 2006 decision to require certification for the procedure. The joint letter, composed by the American College of Surgeons, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, American Society of Bariatric Physicians, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons and The Obesity Society, states that the consideration to overturn is “based upon an incomplete review and analysis of the evidence.” The organizations suggest that reversal of the decision may put Medicare recipients who undergo the procedure at risk, according to a press release.
“Substantial gains have been made in the quality of bariatric surgery because of certified and accredited programs,” David B. Hoyt, MD, executive director of the ACS, said in the release. “This proposed decision by CMS could be a setback, particularly for the Medicare beneficiaries, who have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality than the general bariatric surgery population.”
The letter refers to a study to be published by Surgical Endoscopy, yet to be evaluated by CMS, in which 277,760 procedures performed between 2006 and 2010, were assessed. In this study, nonaccredited facilities had an in-hospital mortality rate of 0.22% for bariatric surgery, compared with 0.06% at accredited centers.
“The evidence shows facility certification, and all that it entails, improves patient outcomes and reduces risk,” Jaime Ponce, MD, ASMBS president, said in the release. “There is very little rationale to reverse a policy that has clearly worked. We urge CMS to continue the facility certification requirement.”
CMS’ final ruling on whether to reverse the requirement is expected by late September.