News Archive

Effective January 1, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will increase payment levels for standalone office and outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) codes, but will not apply this payment increase to the E/M portion of global surgical payments. Additionally, CMS created a new add-on code that will result in significantly increased spending in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Since the Fee Schedule operates pursuant to “budget neutrality,” the combination of these factors will automatically result in significant decreases to reimbursement for other services, due to a large reduction to the conversion factor. Some surgical specialties will experience double-digit reductions in reimbursement.

The American Society of Breast Surgeons is pleased to announce the launch of BESAP III, the highly-anticipated third iteration of the Society’s Breast Education and Self-Assessment Program (BESAP), providing up to 65 hours of self-assessment credit to help surgeons fulfill the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification Program.

The ASBrS recently launched an Industry-Supported Procedural section of its online video library. In addition to the members-only videos, ASBrS now has a section in the library that is open to the public. The purpose of this section is to act as an educational resource for general surgeons who perform a limited number of breast surgeries and seek to improve their technical understanding of specific breast surgery procedures. Our first posted video demonstrates Wise Pattern Oncoplastic Lumpectomy using PlasmaBlade™ X Technology.

Findings are published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology (ASO). To view the publication in its entirety, members may use their complimentary electronic subscription to ASO. Visit the Clinical Resources tab's Annals of Surgical Oncology page for access.