Medicare may scrap certification for bariatric surgery centers

Dr. Ponce singled out a 2011 study in Annals of Surgery, which evaluated mortality among Medicare patients before and after the certification requirements took effect (Ann. Surg. 2011;254: 860-5). The study, which used Medicare data from 2004-2008, showed that mortality, readmission, and reoperation rates all declined after the coverage decision was implemented. The 90-day mortality rate dropped from 1.5% to 0.7%, while 90-day readmission rates decreased from 19.9% to 15.4%. The researchers also noted a decrease in payments for the procedures.

But gains in safety and cost-effectiveness could be lost if the CMS removes the certification requirements, Dr. Ponce said. Without clear requirements in place, hospitals will be unlikely to make the investments they are making today in equipment, personnel, and training, he said.

Another issue is what will happen to data collection if certification requirements are eliminated. Dr. Ponce said he’s concerned that data collection efforts would dry up without those mandates from the CMS.

"We will not have that data in order to improve the quality that we need to," he said.

A final decision on the coverage memo is expected in the fall.

mschneider@frontlinemedcom.com