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There’s just one month until the ASCA 2022 Conference & Expo, taking place April 27–30 in the wonderful city of Dallas, Texas. Don’t miss out on ASCA’s first in-person conference since 2019! In addition to top-quality ASC education, you will have access to an expo hall with more than 100 exhibitors who can answer your questions, along with fun and games in ASCA’s Backyard. Other opportunities for networking and fun this year include the ASCA 2022 social event, wellness morning activities and expo hall receptions. Register today and we’ll see you next month! |
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Make sure all the physicians in your ASC get a copy of the newest edition of ASCA’s “ ASC Physician Brief.” This issue provides education to help centers comply with new surprise billing requirements, discusses the copay penalty that affects ASC patients and explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physician workplace. These quarterly, one-page news briefs provide at-a-glance reporting that can help ASC physicians lead their facilities to future success. Please encourage all your ASC’s physicians to subscribe. |
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Data collection for the first quarter (Q1) of ASCA’s 2022 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey opens this Friday, April 1. This valuable online resource provides data you can use to improve clinical outcomes, staff indicators, billing performance and more at your facility. If you haven’t already, subscribe today so you can submit your data in April and gain a full year of national comparison data. ASCA members save $150 on subscriptions to the 2022 survey. Purchase your subscription now. |
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On March 17, ASCA staff met virtually with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) staff responsible for payment policies in ASCs. At the meeting, the participants discussed mainly the ASC Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL). ASCA submitted 47 codes for consideration for addition to the ASC-CPL in 2023. Read this Digital Debut for more on the nomination process, criteria for inclusion on the ASC-CPL and ASCA member requests. |
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On March 21, the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee in the Connecticut General Assembly considered legislation that would create new tax credits for ASCs. SB 441, introduced March 15, would grant ASCs a tax credit based on the amount of revenue received from Medicaid beneficiaries and state health plan beneficiaries.
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The COVID-19 pandemic and the strain it has put on healthcare workforces is threatening patient care. Years of progress reducing medical errors and preventable hospital-acquired infections were reversed in medical centers and skilled nursing facilities during the pandemic. But ongoing health care workforce disruptions — including early retirements, nurses shifting to travel positions and increased workloads for those who remain — threaten hospitals' ability to get back on track.
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Axios (03/28/22) Tina Reed
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At first, Reeny Pereira didn't mind the wait. The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing told Pereira it would take about 12 weeks for her to get licensed to work in the state.
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NPR (03/23/22) Brett Sholtis
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It's been a full year since The Joint Commission returned to surveys at full capacity and, as expected, most high-risk findings at ambulatory surgery centers are related to infection control, medication management and leadership. Challenges actually mirror those of 2019, despite two very difficult years in terms of: financials, staffing, supply chain, workflow, scope of services, and regulatory/statutory requirements.
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Joint Commission Ambulatory Buzz blog (03/25/22) Susan Annicelli
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On March 22, 2022, OSHA solicited additional input from healthcare industry stakeholders on standards to protect healthcare workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19 in settings where people with COVID-19 are reasonably expected to be present. OSHA is establishing a final standard to replace the emergency temporary standard that was established in June 2021.
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U.S. Department of Labor (03/22/22)
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Fears that the United States would experience unprecedented prescription medication shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic were unfounded, despite concerns fueled in part by supply chain issues that affect other consumer products, experts told UPI. As of Friday, the Food and Drug Administration was reporting shortages of 169 medications, but that was not out of the ordinary.
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United Press International (03/21/22) Brian P. Dunleavy
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Doctors are one of the most essential professions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which the U.S. has been battling for over two years now. Doctors are on the front lines helping to combat the spread of this disease and are working to administer the vaccines and boosters that will eventually help life go back to normal.
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WalletHub (03/21/22) John S. Kiernan
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About ASCAMission: The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) is the national membership association that represents ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and provides advocacy and resources to assist ASCs in delivering high-quality, cost-effective ambulatory surgery to all the patients they serve. About Us: At ASCA, we are eager to help you become better acquainted with our nation's ASCs and the people who own and operate them. We are also eager to help you develop policies on ASC-related issues. If you have questions, please contact us. We'll put you in touch with the experts and, if you like, arrange for you to visit an ASC in your area. Contact Us: Advertising inquiries should be addressed to Chris Schriever or Alex Yewdell at 202.337.1897 or at advertising@ascassociation.org. Follow ASCA on
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