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Under the No Surprises Act that took effect January 1, 2022, ASCs and other healthcare providers must comply with new billing prohibitions and regulatory requirements designed to protect patients from unexpected bills and egregious charges after receiving care. Listen free to the newest episode of ASCA’s Advancing Surgical Care Podcast, “ Understanding the New Surprise Billing Regulations,” to learn what your ASC needs to do and where to turn for help under the new rules. For additional details, watch ASCA’s 30-minute webinar No Surprises Act: What New Surprise Billing Regulations Mean for ASCs. ASCA members can view the recorded program free. The cost to nonmembers is $50. Continuing education credit is not available for either program. |
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Applications for ASCA’s new ASC Administrator Development Program are due next Monday, January 31.This program is a yearlong mentoring program that matches newer and aspiring administrators with their experienced peers. In addition to learning new ideas and best practices from people who have been in your shoes, you’ll also get:
- an exclusive ASC Administrator Development Track at the ASCA 2022 Conference & Expo
- four exclusive 30-minute webinars
- monthly check-in communications
- complimentary ASCA publications
- and more!
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While the past two years of virtual conferences have been great, we are excited to return to the classic ASCA in-person conference this spring. Register today for the ASCA 2022 Conference & Expo, taking place April 27–30 in Dallas, TX. ASCA’s annual conference is the can’t-miss event of the year for ASC professionals and will feature the same top-quality education, an extensive ASC-specific expo hall, a return to in-person networking and a dedication to safety. Register today! |
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In a 5-4 decision on January 13, the US Supreme Court handed down an opinion allowing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to move forward with the implementation of its healthcare worker vaccination mandate while the cases of Biden v. Missouri and Becerra v. Louisiana continue to move through appellate courts. Justices Breyer, Kagan, Kavanaugh, Roberts and Sotomayor sided with the federal government; Justices Alito, Barrett, Gorsuch and Thomas dissented. Read this Digital Debut for further background on this mandate and what it means going forward. |
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Following the US Supreme Court’s January 13 opinion, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance regarding the implementation of the mandate for facilities in the 24 states previously covered by a preliminary injunction.
Under the January 14 guidance, facilities located in the 24 states must meet certain deadlines.
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Washington Post (01/21/22) Christopher Rowland
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Two years ago, Robert DeMoss fell at his home in rural Ohio and hit his head on a bucket of paint. He got a black eye and, worse, ruptured a cervical disk.
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Washington Post (01/21/22) Christopher Rowland
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Joint Commission Online (01/19/22)
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Beginning Jan. 27, 2022, for applicable deemed program surveys in progress on that day, The Joint Commission will begin surveying to the "Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination" interim final rule published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the Nov. 5, 2021 Federal Register. Further guidance was published by CMS on Dec. 28, 2021. This rule affects the following Joint Commission deemed programs: Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Critical Access Hospitals, Hospitals, Home Care, Home Infusion Therapy, and Hospice.
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Joint Commission Online (01/19/22)
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FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts (01/19/22)
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Getinge is recalling the Vaporizer Sevoflurane Maquet filling due to the potential chemical breakdown of Sevoflurane, a general surgical anesthetic, that may result in inhalation and/or skin exposure to harmful chemicals. If this occurs, this may cause serious patient harms including irritation of the respiratory tract, lung edema (swelling caused by excess fluid), and severe hypocalcemia (condition in which the blood has too little calcium).
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FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts (01/19/22)
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Spokane Spokesman-Review (WA) (01/19/22) Orion Donovan-Smith
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In a letter to the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs on Wednesday, hundreds of VA anesthesia doctors warned a proposal to let nurses practice anesthesiology without a doctor’s supervision could jeopardize patient safety. The letter, signed by 265 doctors, asks VA Secretary Denis McDonough for an urgent meeting and to reconsider an initiative set in motion under the Trump administration to develop national standards that override state laws, potentially allowing nurse-only anesthesia care in VA facilities, which is not currently permitted in most states.
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Spokane Spokesman-Review (WA) (01/19/22) Orion Donovan-Smith
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FDA Medical Device Safety (01/19/22)
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware the United States is experiencing significant interruptions in the supply of several blood specimen collection (blood draw) tubes because of an increase in demand during the COVID-19 public health emergency and recent vendor supply challenges. The FDA is expanding the medical device shortage list to include all blood specimen collection tubes.
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FDA Medical Device Safety (01/19/22)
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San Joaquin Valley Sun (CA) (01/21/22) Daniel Gligich
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Some Central Valley hospitals are putting elective surgeries on hold for a short period as they are dealing with a surge of COVID-19 cases. Saint Agnes Medical Center and Valley Children’s will halt all elective surgeries starting Monday. Saint Agnes has been reportedly dealing with more than 250 employees missing work, the vast majority of which have tested positive for COVID-19.
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San Joaquin Valley Sun (CA) (01/21/22) Daniel Gligich
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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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