Important Dates in October

October 2, 2017

Make sure to mark your calendar for the following dates this month:

Sunday, October 1

• Data collection opens for ASCA Benchmarking Q3.
• ASC-8 Quality Reporting Program data collection period begins.

Monday, October 2

• Joint session with ASCA CEO Bill Prentice and ASCA Regulatory Counsel Kara Newbury at 11:00 am ET during the Pennsylvania Ambulatory Surgery Association (PASA) Annual Meeting in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
• Deadline for MIPS-eligible clinicians who wish to receive a positive 2019 payment adjustment to begin collecting Quality Measure data.

Tuesday, October 3

• ASCA’s 2018 membership renewal cycle opens. Renew your ASC’s membership online or return the renewal form you receive in mid-October.
• Presentation from ASCA Director of Education & Clinical Affairs Gina Throneberry at 10:45 am ET during the OR Manager Annual Conference, October 2–4 in Orlando, Florida. ASCA is also exhibiting during the conference.

Tuesday, October 10

• ASCA webinar Protect Your Patients with a Comprehensive Surgical Instrument Safety Program at 1:00 pm ET.

Wednesday, October 11

• Presentation from ASCA Regulatory Counsel Kara Newbury at 9:00 am ET during the Virginia Ambulatory Surgery Association (VASA) Annual Conference in Glen Allen, Virginia.

Thursday, October 12

• Presentation from ASCA CEO Bill Prentice at 11:15 am PT during the Washington Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (WASCA) Annual Conference, October 12–13 in Tulalip, Washington.

Sunday, October 15–Saturday, October 21

• International Infection Prevention Week, which this year focuses on antibiotic resistance.

Friday, October 20

• Panel discussion featuring ASCA CEO Bill Prentice at 8:45 am ET and joint session with ASCA Regulatory Counsel Kara Newbury and ASCA Director of Education & Clinical Affairs Gina Throneberry at 11:20 am ET during the 2017 New York Metro ASC Symposium in New York, New York.

Tuesday, October 24

• ASCA webinar Preparing for Electronic Health Records at 1:00 pm ET.

Thursday, October 26–Saturday, October 28

• ASCA exhibiting at Becker’s ASC Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

Tuesday, October 31

• Data collection closes for ASCA Benchmarking Q3.

Month of October

• Register for one of ASCA’s three 2018 Winter Seminars, January 11–13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Take advantage of ASCA’s affinity partnerships by:
  • Utilizing Akorbi’s high-quality, affordable translation and interpretation services, which meet Medicare certification requirements.
  • Earning continuing education credits anytime, anywhere with ASCA’s Online Training Series.
  • Buying and selling health care supplies, equipment and inventory at affordable prices through the ASCA Asset Network.

Coming Soon:

• The 2018 Medicare Final Rule is scheduled for release by November 1.
• On November 15, new Emergency Preparedness Requirements are implemented for 17 CMS-certified provider and supplier types, including ASCs. ASCs must complete several required activities before surveys beginning November 15, so ASCs that have not yet started their emergency preparedness activities should begin immediately.