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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2023 proposed payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) on July 15, 2022. CMS proposed to continue to align the ASC update factor with the one used to update HOPD payments. Although ASCA provided a list of 47 codes for procedures that are being done safely on non-Medicare populations for consideration to be added to the ASC Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL), CMS added only one of the requested codes.
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Due to popular demand, ASCA is excited to open applications for a virtual class of the new ASC Administrator Development Program! This yearlong mentoring program matches newer and aspiring administrators with their experienced peers to strengthen and broaden the knowledge and professional network of all participants. The deadline to apply is August 31, and the class will begin in October. A maximum of 30 applicants will be accepted into the 2022 virtual class. |
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Find out what recent updates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Interpretive Guidelines for ASCs mean for your facility in the newest episode of ASCA’s Advancing Surgical Care Podcast, “Revised CMS Interpretive Guidelines for ASCs.” |
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Register today to attend ASCA’s virtual course Infection Prevention for ASCs, streaming live August 29–30. Over the course of two half days, this program will cover a wide variety of topics and provide you with the resources you need to develop and maintain an infection prevention program. It will also help you prepare for the Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist (CAIP) ® exam. Session recordings will be available to watch on demand after the live event.
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For years, ASCA has worked with key dental organizations to add dental surgery procedures to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) ASC Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL). These procedures cannot be performed in an ASC because they do not have codes payable under Medicare Part B. This creates a limitation in access to these surgeries for children and adults with special needs and disabilities, resulting in health inequity. Read this Digital Debut to learn more about this effort. |
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On July 7, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released proposed 2023 policy updates to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Most policies included in this proposed rule do not directly affect ASC payments, but ASCA does submit comments to the MPFS proposed rule following the lead of the specialty societies who practice heavily in ASCs.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing actions to advance health equity and improve access to care in rural communities by establishing policies for Rural Emergency Hospitals and providing for payment for certain behavioral health services furnished via communications technology. Additionally, in line with President Biden's Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, the calendar year 2023 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System proposed rule includes proposed enhanced payments under the OPPS and the Inpatient Prospective Payment System for the additional costs of purchasing domestically made NIOSH-approved surgical N95 respirators and a comment solicitation on competition and transparency in our nation's health care system.
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CMS Press Release (07/15/22)
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Drug shortages in the United States have been increasingly common for several decades. However, in the past 10 years, we have seen more drugs in short supply than ever before—and crucially, shortages have lasted even longer than usual.
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Forbes (07/14/22) Kevin MacDonald
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On June 9, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced an opportunity for the public to comment through Aug. 8, 2022, on its voluntary self-referral disclosure protocol (SRDP). The voluntary SRDP is a way to resolve technical violations under the physician self-referral law (commonly known as the Stark Law) by submitting information to CMS about the prohibited conduct as described below.
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JDSupra (07/14/22) Timothy Fry; Deepika Raj; Gretchen Heinze Townshend
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Orthopedic surgeons are offered the highest average starting salary among physicians and advanced practice professionals, according to an annual report from AMN Healthcare and its physician search division, Merritt Hawkins. The 2022 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives indicates that orthopedic surgeons are offered an average of $565,000 to start, exclusive of signing bonuses and other incentives, up from $546,000 the previous year.
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Business Wire (07/18/22)
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As the U.S. health care system continues to adopt internet-connected care delivery systems, health care organizations are increasingly experiencing attacks from cybercriminals. In the first half of 2022, there was a 70 percent increase in hacks and information breaches compared to the same period in 2021.
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Joint Commission Dateline @ TJC blog (07/13/22) Patrick Ross
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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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