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Being an ASCA member gives you and your staff access to vital educational resources, timely networking, essential news, information and tools that apply daily in your practice. Don’t delay— renew your membership today to make sure you have continuing access to these valuable benefits into the new year. Not yet a member? See all the ways you can put ASCA benefits to good use and join today. |
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This week ASCA released a new analysis of Medicare payment data, conducted by KNG Health Consulting LLC, that shows performing outpatient surgery procedures in ASCs instead of HOPDs from 2011 through 2018 saved Medicare $28.7 billion. The analysis projects that without any policy changes, procedures provided to Medicare patients in ASCs are expected to reduce program costs by an additional $73.4 billion from 2019 to 2028. Read this Digital Debut to learn more on the study’s findings. |
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The deadline to submit comments on Medicare’s 2021 proposed ASC payment rule is just one week away. ASCA staff have created sample comment letters (available to ASCA members only) and other talking points to consider for inclusion in your comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the 2021 proposed ASC payment rule. The templates that are currently available advocate for:
- removal of the secondary rescaling applied to ASCs, a policy that contributes to the growing disparity in reimbursement rates between ASCs and HOPDs
- CMS’ proposal to add total hip arthroplasty to the ASC-payable list
- additional codes to be added to the ASC-payable list
Be sure to submit your comments by next Monday, October 5. |
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Madison365.com (09/28/20) David Dahmer
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When "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman recently died at the young age of 43 after being diagnosed with colon cancer, many medical professionals and social workers felt a renewed urgency to talk about the rise of incidence of colon cancer in young people and to share information on screening, symptoms and prevention of colorectal cancer, especially for an African-American population, who are more likely to develop colorectal cancer at a younger age and to be at a more advanced stage when diagnosed. "We think that the racial disparities we see are something that we can really start chipping away at," Dr. John Eason, an associate professor of sociology at UW-Madison, tells Madison365, "but it starts with getting information out there and making sure that people know their family history."
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Madison365.com (09/28/20) David Dahmer
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GAO Reports (09/20)
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In the government’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Congress and the administration have taken action on multiple fronts to address challenges that have contributed to catastrophic loss of life and profound economic disruption. These actions have helped direct much-needed federal assistance to support many aspects of public life, including local public health systems and private-sector businesses.
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GAO Reports (09/20)
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AMA News Release (09/21/20)
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The American Medical Association (AMA) strongly supports provisions in the Continuing Resolution that will offer relief to hard-pressed physician practices. Revisions to the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments program (AAP) will help keep doors open during the pandemic and continue to offer patients access at this time. "Upon passage of the Continuing Resolution, patients should know that their physician is more likely to weather the pandemic's economic challenges. Congress recognized the danger, and rightfully modified the program so physicians can keep seeing patients," said AMA President Susan R. Bailey, M.D.
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AMA News Release (09/21/20)
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Health Leaders Media (09/15/20) Christopher Cheney
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A coalition of 27 organizations convened by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement has launched an initiative to improve coordination of patient safety work nationwide. Patient safety has been a pressing issue in healthcare since 1999, with the publication of the landmark report To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System.
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Health Leaders Media (09/15/20) Christopher Cheney
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Medscape (09/25/20) Ken Terry
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which recently trumpeted the success of accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program, is endangering the ability of ACOs to succeed next year by proposing new regulations on how quality is assessed and how quality data is reported, say the National Association of ACOs and leading medical and hospital associations in a September 23 letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma. Among the signers of the letter, besides the National Association of ACOs, are the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association, America's Essential Hospitals, America's Physician Groups, AMGA, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Federation of American Hospitals, the Medical Group Management Association, and Premier Inc.
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Medscape (09/25/20) Ken Terry
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Anaesthesia (08/17/20) A. Van Harten; H. G. Gooszen; J. J. Koksma; et al.
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Several studies have reported on the negative impact of interruptions and distractions on anaesthetic, surgical and team performance in the operating theatre. This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of these events and why they remain part of everyday clinical practice.
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Anaesthesia (08/17/20) A. Van Harten; H. G. Gooszen; J. J. Koksma; et al.
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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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