ASCA News Digest

Published January 7, 2025

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Drugmakers plan to raise U.S. prices on at least 250 branded medications including Pfizer's COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid, Bristol Myers Squibb's cancer cell therapies, and vaccines from France's Sanofi at the start of 2025, according to data analyzed by healthcare research firm 3 Axis Advisors. Nearly all of the drug price increases are below 10% — most well below.
Reuters (12/31/24) Michael Erman
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Sign up now for ASCA’s Coding & Reimbursement for ASCs virtual course, streaming live next Monday, January 13–Tuesday, January 14, and available on demand afterward. Participants will hear from industry experts as they discuss the coding and billing updates for 2025 and share strategies to maximize ASC reimbursements.

The coding course—along with ASCA’s entire suite of virtual education—is included in 2025 ASCA membership. Join ASCA or renew your membership for 2025 to access this course as part of your membership! The course is also available for purchase by nonmembers.
ASCA Content (01/07/25)
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Your first attempt at intubation should be your best. Discover how the McGRATH™ MAC video laryngoscope can help experienced and inexperienced clinicians significantly increase first-pass success rates.1,†

President Joe Biden signed a stripped down funding bill on Saturday, averting a government shutdown during the holiday season. Congress agreed to a sweeping package earlier last week that included a number of important healthcare provisions, including an extension of telehealth flexibilities, relief from scheduled Medicare cuts for physicians and reform for controversial pharmacy benefit managers. However, of the major healthcare changes only an extension of virtual care waivers made it into the final bill, after President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk panned the initial package as overly expensive.
Healthcare Dive (12/23/24) Rebecca Pifer
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Prepare for 2025 Changes

Join MedTrainer’s compliance experts for a look at the regulatory changes that could impact healthcare operations, compliance, and financial performance. You’ll leave this 20-minute session aware and prepared so you can quickly adjust processes and plans.

The data submission period for the fourth quarter (Q4) of ASCA’s 2024 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey is now open and will close January 31. Subscribers should make sure to submit their data by the deadline to get a complete picture of trends for last year.

Is your ASC on track for success in the new year? Make 2025 your facility’s best year yet by subscribing to ASCA’s 2025 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey.
ASCA Content (01/07/25)
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Is your ASC part of the growth wave? Two-OR ASCs are experiencing a 22% growth surge, driven by increased operational efficiency and flexibility. In contrast, larger ASCs with 15 ORs are seeing declines. Why are smaller ASCs leading the charge? Read the full report and find out.

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) announces today that it has been awarded Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approval as a national accreditation organization for Ambulatory Surgery Centers that request participation in the Medicare Deemed Status Accreditation program. This renewal underscores AAAHC’s long-standing commitment to high-quality patient care and regulatory compliance in the ambulatory surgery field.
AAAHC News Release (12/16/24)
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WAIT! Ask These Questions Before Making a Capital Equipment Purchase

When outfitting your medical facility with essential equipment, your decisions can have a long-term impact on its effectiveness and budget. Whether buying new, refurbished, or exploring other alternatives, asking the right questions can ensure that you make informed decisions.

The application period for the March Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist (CAIP)® exam is now open through January 31.

CAIP is the first credential designed specifically for infection preventionists in the ASC community. This certification distinguishes those with a comprehensive understanding of the skills and knowledge that the role of an ASC infection preventionist requires.
ASCA Content (01/07/25)
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Ready to convince your physicians to switch to an EMR? Equip yourself with the knowledge and resources to confidently initiate the switch.

Our comprehensive resource hub has everything you need to make a compelling case. From ROI calculators to informative blogs, insightful slide decks, and step-by-step video guides, you’ll find the tools to demonstrate the financial, operational, and clinical benefits of adopting an EMR in your surgery center.

In the summer of 2002, Margaret Stamp returned home to Sarpy County from college four weeks after her 74-year-old grandmother, Phyllis Behm, had died from a short battle with colorectal cancer. Stamp found her dad, Mark Behm, a former northeast Nebraska county attorney and private practice lawyer, wincing in pain on the living room floor.
Nebraska Examiner (01/02/25) Zach Wendling
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The OAS CAHPS Survey is now mandatory for all eligible Medicare-certified ASCs. If you haven’t already, it’s imperative that your facility start immediately.

The survey is designed to measure patient experience with overall care received in ASCs. Visit ASCA’s OAS CAHPS Survey page to learn more about the approved survey vendors and find out what you need to do to get started.

ASCA members receive a discount if they use Press Ganey as their vendor. Press Ganey clients are invited to attend weekly implementation sessions each Tuesday and Thursday, where they can ask questions about survey setup, regulatory requirements and more.
ASCA Content (01/07/25)
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Umpqua Community College and the Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board are partnering on the creation of Oregon’s first surgical technologist apprenticeship program with the Oregon Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, college officials said. UCC officials said that the program, developed with the Oregon Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, aims to address the critical shortage of surgical technologists across the state, particularly in rural areas that have a high demand for trained professionals.
KEZI-TV (Eugene, Ore.) (01/02/25) Ryan Bonham
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2025 Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program payment determination last month. Of the 6,012 ASCs included in the release, 5,714 facilities will receive the full annual payment update (APU) for 2025. Read this Digital Debut to learn more about the data released by CMS, participation exemptions and how to appeal an adverse APU determination.
ASCA Content (01/07/25)
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Nearly 6 million deaths from five common cancers were avoided through prevention, early detection and better treatments, a new study reveals. Biostatistician Katrina Goddard from the National Cancer Institute, and colleagues used statistical modeling to estimate how many lives would have been lost in the United States to each of the five cancers if survival rates had remained at 1975 levels, before major advances in cancer control strategies were implemented.
Science News (12/13/24) Tina Hesman Saey
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News summaries © copyright 2025 Smithbucklin
About ASCA

Mission: 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.

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