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ASCA is seeking candidates to serve on the ASCA Board of Directors (members also serve on the ASCA Foundation Board). If you know of an individual who has the skills, experience and a commitment to devote time and energy to surgery center advocacy, please see if they are interested, and, if so, nominate them. Self-nominations are also welcome. The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, December 19. |
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Register today for the 2023 Winter Seminar, taking place in person January 12–14 at Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. This focused, surgery center-specific event features two tracks: Coding & Reimbursement and Management Essentials for Administrators. Don’t miss out—reserve your spot now! |
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Register now for the ASCA 2023 Conference & Expo, May 17–20 in Louisville, KY. ASCA’s annual conference— the front-runner in surgery center events—has the resources, education and networking opportunities you need to lead your surgery center to success. Hurry! Sign up today to get the best rate. |
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In its 2023 final payment rule for surgery centers and HOPDs, CMS showed a willingness to advance policies that will drive volume to the surgery center setting and save Medicare and its beneficiaries money. However, surgery centers still face many hurdles under the final rule and will need to advocate strongly to advance their interests in 2024 and beyond. Read this Digital Debut for an analysis of the rule. |
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ASCA has posted multiple new 2023 payment resources to assist members in understanding Medicare reimbursement.
In addition to the Medicare Rate Calculator and Medicare Payment Resources document, this year ASCA has created spreadsheets for complex codes, device-intensive codes and rate comparisons for surgery centers versus HOPDs.
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Key industry stakeholders have asked the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to pull its recently published draft guidance on laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) patient labeling, arguing that the agency’s recommendations are based on faulty and outdated data and challenging its legal authority to issue the guidance. The draft guidance, issued for comment in July, notes the FDA has become aware of more potential side effects of LASIK treatment and asks manufacturers to update their labeling so physicians can discuss those risks and alternative treatments with patients.
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Regulatory Focus (11/29/2022) Ferdous Al-Faruque
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For decades, the level and growth of U.S. health care spending has diverged from both international and domestic norms, leading many to characterize rising health expenditures as “unsustainable.” Value-based payment is a systemic intervention with the potential to affect all drivers of excess health spending and growth, including prices, administrative waste, clinical waste, and other factors.
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Health Affairs (12/01/22)
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Long COVID is a chronic illness resulting from a COVID-19 infection. It goes by many names, including long-haul COVID, post-COVID or post-acute COVID syndrome. Not much is yet known about the illness. Its symptoms number in the hundreds and can be debilitating.
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CNBC (11/30/22) Greg Iacurci
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n 2022, the average annual premium for family coverage in an employer-sponsored health plan was $22,463, according to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. For single coverage, the cost was $7,911, and both findings were similar to last year’s annual premiums. With wages increasing 6.7% and inflation increasing 8%, the lack of change may be because 2022 premiums were finalized before the extent of rising prices was fully known, according to the report; as inflation continues to increase, higher premiums for 2023 are possible.
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Medical Economics (12/01/22) Todd Shryock
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The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) recently provided written comments to the HHS, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Labor regarding rulemaking for the advanced explanation of benefits and good faith estimate requirements of the No Surprises Act. The No Surprises Act, which became effective January 1, contains provisions that protect patients from surprise medical billing and out-of-network emergency care costs not reimbursed by insurance.
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Health Leaders Media (11/17/22) Amanda Norris
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Although the overall death rate from colorectal cancer has been on the decline in recent years, it remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. There has also been an increase in colorectal cancer-related death for people younger than 55, and an increase in diagnosis in patients between the ages of 40-49 over the past decade, according to the National Cancer Institute.
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Health.mil (11/22/22) Robert Hammer
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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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