To see a reimbursement rate more than double is incredible, yet that'll soon be the case with hernia repair, thanks to Medicare's revised payment system for ASCs. In 2007, Medicare's reimbursement rate for abdominal hernia repair was $630. This year, it's risen to $790. By the time the new payment system is fully implemented in 2011, it'll be $1,270. If you're not already hosting hernia cases, perhaps it's time to consider adding this potentially lucrative service line. Before you do so, however, you'll want to determine whether it makes more sense to perform cases open or laparoscopically. Remember that Medicare's hernia reimbursements are the same whether the repair is done via open or laparoscopic surgery.