ASC Industry Braces for More Red Tape as CMS Pushes Medicare Prior-Authorization Demo (ASC News)

A new five-year prior-authorization demo will roll out in 10 states, requiring ASCs to secure approval before performing select procedures often billed as cosmetic but coded as medically necessary. While CMS frames it as a safeguard against fraud and improper payments, ASC leaders warn of heavier bureaucracy, delayed care, and denied claims if documentation falters. For operators, this isn’t just compliance—it’s a stress test of their workflows, technology, and ability to adapt before similar requirements inevitably expand nationwide.