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Site neutrality in payment practices has become a salient issue in the US health care debate, as rising prices have brought increased pressure for policy action. Although Medicare has received disproportionate attention, these policies could also apply to commercial insurers, particularly to address payment differentials between hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers.
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Health Affairs (10/01/25) Vol. 44, No. 10 Matthew P. Maughan; Andrew M. Ryan; Christopher M. Whaley; et al.
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Make plans to join us next spring at ASCA’s annual conference—the ASC community’s can’t-miss event of the year. New for 2026, the conference will feature SAMBA, the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia. This exciting collaboration brings together ASC clinical and operational leaders with experts in outpatient anesthesia to offer a richer, more interdisciplinary learning and networking experience for the entire ASC community. Register for the ASCA + SAMBA Conference & Expo by December 31 to get the best rate! |
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ASCA Content (10/21/25)
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Procision's AI Voice for Pre-Op CallsPre-operative calls are essential for patient safety and surgical readiness — but they place a heavy burden on clinical staff. Procision’s new AI Voice Assistant offers a smarter, scalable way to handle these calls while maintaining a personal, voice-first experience for patients.Click here for full article and more details.
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said late Wednesday that it was not pausing all Medicare payments to doctors, after a statement earlier in the day stated it would. Instead, the agency will only wait to process claims that are related to programs that have expired, such as some telehealth or rural services.
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STAT News (10/15/25) Daniel Payne; Tara Bannow
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When cases require IONM, SpecialtyCare is the partner you can count on. Our nationwide network of expert neurophysiologists ensures reliable coverage for your ASC, even in complex cases. We seamlessly integrate with your surgical teams to provide consistent, expert monitoring—reducing risk, avoiding costly complications, and supporting your surgeons when it matters most.
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Renew your ASCA membership online today! With your membership comes a variety of benefits that help you run your ASC more efficiently, provide quality patient care, and stay up to date on industry trends and regulations. Your membership also includes complimentary access to all of ASCA’s virtual education programs and—new in 2026—ASCA’s Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey. Not yet a member? Join now!
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ASCA Content (10/21/25)
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What Comes After the CRNA Model?Exploring New Paths Forward in ASC Sedation and Staffing
The CRNA model has long been a cornerstone of ASC anesthesia—but with staffing shortages, rising costs, and growing gaps in coverage, many facilities are asking: what’s next? Register today to join the conversation and share your insight.This virtual focus group is sponsored by SedAssure.
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Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) continue to navigate a complex environment marked by rising costs, physician recruitment hurdles, and increasing revenue cycle pressures. At the same time, competition from private equity and other non-traditional players is accelerating, reshaping the future ASC landscape.
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VMG Health (10/09/25)
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Expertise for every phase of the journey
Your ASC should reflect your vision—innovative, efficient and built for success. We provide deep expertise during every phase – planning, execution and beyond – to help ensure there aren’t any missteps during the journey. Request a copy of Stryker’s ASC New Build Playbook today.
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Data submission for the third quarter (Q3) of ASCA’s 2025 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey is open through Friday, October 31. This valuable online resource provides data you can use to improve clinical outcomes, staff indicators, billing performance and more at your facility. If you haven’t already, subscribe or submit your data today to receive valuable comparison data. ASCA members save $150 on subscriptions to the 2025 survey. |
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ASCA Content (10/21/25)
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On Oct. 1, 2025, UnitedHealthcare implemented a new anesthesia reimbursement policy that cuts reimbursements by 15% for certified nurse anesthetists (CRNA) practicing independently. This policy would slash CRNA reimbursement and threaten access to life-saving cancer screenings and GI procedures, especially for patients in rural and underserved communities.
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American Gastroenterological Association (10/07/25)
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ASCA’s Salary & Benefits Survey is a great tool to use as you plan your facility’s 2026 budget. These survey reports allow ASCs to compare their compensation packages to similar ASCs, negotiate a raise, or determine salary and benefits for a new position. ASCs can benchmark their information with other ASCs from the same region, with a similar number of employees, of the same specialty, with a similar number of patient encounters and more. ASCA members save $100 on survey reports. Participants who completed at least 40 percent of the survey can access their reports for free! Purchase or access your report today. |
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ASCA Content (10/21/25)
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This study highlighted changes in incidence and prevalence of use of medicines after shortage announcements, and changes observed in patient care in terms of the indication, duration, or prescribed dose of medicines. Our findings showed that some reductions in use were observed across Europe and the USA, and others differed across countries.
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The Lancet Public Health (10/01/25) Vol. 10, No. 10, P. E835 Marta Pineda-Moncusí; Alexandros Rekkas; Álvaro Martínez Pérez; et al.
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This year for National Advocacy Day, 89 ASCA members, representing 30 states, met with 122 members of Congress and their staff to help educate lawmakers about the ASC community and advocate for the Medicare Beneficiary Co-Pay Fairness Act. After meeting with their ASCA member constituents, three US representatives signed on as cosponsors for the act. Securing these new ASC supporters would not have been possible without the direct advocacy of ASCA members. Read this Digital Debut to learn more about the legislation and how to continue advocating. |
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ASCA Content (10/21/25)
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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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