Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026

Progress

Timeline

• Mar 25Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Summary

**What it does:** This bill would update how Medicare pays ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) - outpatient facilities where patients have same-day surgeries and procedures that don't require overnight hospital stays. **Who it affects:** - Medicare beneficiaries who use ASCs for outpatient surgeries - Ambulatory surgical centers nationwide - The Medicare program's budget **What would change:** The bill would "modernize" the payment system Medicare uses to reimburse these facilities, though the specific changes aren't detailed in this summary. This could potentially affect: - How much Medicare pays ASCs for procedures - Which procedures are covered - Administrative processes for payments The bill is currently under review in congressional committee and has not been voted on or enacted. Any changes would only apply to Medicare payments - private insurance and self-pay arrangements would be unaffected.

How This Affects You