Latest News

December

ASC Focus: ASCA Advocacy Drives Success in 2023

December 22, 2023

2023 was a busy year for healthcare policies and ASCs were no exception. While ASCA has its work cut out for it in 2024, let’s take a minute to celebrate our successes from the past year.

ASCA’s ASCQR Program Resources Updated for 2024

December 21, 2023

ASCA has updated its ASC Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program resources to reflect 2024 measures and deadlines.

ASC Physician Brief: Winter 2023

December 21, 2023

Read the Winter 2023 edition of ASCA’s quarterly “ASC Physician Brief” about CMS finally approving total shoulder and ankle arthroplasty procedures in ASCs, trends to watch in 2024 and more.

ASCA’s Greatest Hits of 2023

December 20, 2023

Check out ASCA's greatest hits of 2023, including a broad array of tools and resources available for free or at a discount to ASCA members.

ASC Focus: House Passes Healthcare Transparency Bill

December 15, 2023

On December 11, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378) by a vote of 320–71.

ASC Focus: State Legislative Trends in 2023

December 8, 2023

In 2023, ASCA tracked more than 650 bills across the 50 states for potential impacts on ASCs.

ASC Focus: ASCA Survey Shows Salaries and Caseloads Rising

December 1, 2023

ASCs are paying more for nearly every staff position they hire and offering robust benefits packages to help manage increasing caseloads and employee turnover rates.

Important Dates in December

December 1, 2023

Watch the final 2023 webinar, renew your membership, register for the January virtual coding course and ASCA 2024 and more.

November

ASC Focus: Support Continues to Grow for Outpatient Surgery Quality and Access Act

November 17, 2023

This fall, three new cosponsors have joined the Outpatient Surgery Quality and Access Act of 2023 (H.R. 972/S. 312).

2024 National Advocacy Day: Register Today!

November 16, 2023

Registration is now open for ASCA’s 2024 National Advocacy Day, taking place February 26–28 in Washington, DC.

New Podcast Episode: “Medicare’s Final Payment Rule: Solid Progress for ASCs in 2024”

November 15, 2023

ASCA staff discuss the 2024 outpatient payment and quality reporting rule the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released on November 2, 2023.

Benchmarking 2023 Q3 Reports Now Available

November 15, 2023

Subscribers to ASCA’s 2023 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey can now access their Q3 reports.

ASCA 2024 Conference & Expo: Registration Now Open!

November 14, 2023

Registration is now open for the ASCA 2024 Conference & Expo, taking place April 17–20 in Orlando, Florida.

ASC Focus: Develop an Effective Infection Prevention and Control Plan

November 10, 2023

The Conditions for Coverage require Medicare-certified ASCs to develop a written infection control plan.

New Podcast Episode: “Preparing for OAS CAHPS”

November 8, 2023

ASCA leaders discuss Medicare’s soon-to-be-mandatory OAS CAHPS Survey and encourage Medicare-certified ASCs to start now.

2024 Virtual Course Bundle Now Available!

November 6, 2023

Registration is now open for ASCA’s 2024 virtual courses. Purchase the bundle to get four courses for the price of three!

ASC Focus: ASCA Advocacy Achieves Victories in 2024 Final Payment Rule

November 3, 2023

CMS added multiple procedures to the ASC Covered Procedures List that were not included in the proposed rule, including total shoulder arthroplasty.

CMS Releases 2024 Final Payment Rule

November 2, 2023

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released its 2024 final payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments today.

Important Dates in November

November 1, 2023

Make plans to join ASCA’s 2024 virtual courses, learn about ASCA’s affinity partnership with Press Ganey and renew your membership or join ASCA today.

October

ASC Focus: California Raises Minimum Wage for Healthcare Workers

October 27, 2023

The new California bill increases the minimum wage for healthcare employees from $15.50 to $25 over a five-year period.

Now On Demand: Life Safety Code for ASCs Virtual Course

October 25, 2023

The Life Safety Code for ASCs virtual course is now available to watch on demand.

ASC Focus: ASCA Meets with CMS to Discuss 2024 Proposed Payment Rule

October 20, 2023

ASCA representatives met virtually with CMS staff to discuss concerns with the 2024 proposed payment rule for ASCs, which was released on July 13.

New Podcast Episode: “Constructing and Opening an ASC”

October 19, 2023

Learn about the critical steps and considerations involved in constructing and opening a new ASC.

ASC Focus: Performing Total Joints in ASCs

October 6, 2023

Learn about the opportunities and common challenges facing ASCs with total joint programs.

New Administrator Development Program Graduates

October 3, 2023

Congratulations to the graduates of the 2022-2023 virtual class of the ASC Administrator Development Program!

Benchmarking 2023 Q3 Data Submission Now Open

October 1, 2023

Data submission for Q3 of ASCA’s 2023 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey is now open and will close on October 31.

Important Dates in October

October 1, 2023

Join the Life Safety Code virtual course, submit your Q3 benchmarking data, watch the October webinar and more.

September

New Podcast Episode: “Medicare Patients Deserve a Choice: The Case for Safe, Effective, Cost-Saving Shoulder Surgery in ASCs”

September 28, 2023

Listen to an orthopedic surgeon discuss how several clinical studies and his personal experience performing thousands of shoulder surgeries support performing outpatient total shoulder surgeries in ASCs.

ASC Physician Brief: Fall 2023

September 27, 2023

Read the Fall 2023 edition of ASCA’s quarterly “ASC Physician Brief” about the battle physicians face against proposed Medicare cuts, CMS still prohibiting total shoulder arthroplasty in ASCs and more.

From ASC Focus: Support Mental Health in Your ASC

September 1, 2023

Help your team manage change, stress and anxiety

Important Dates in September

September 1, 2023

Renew your membership, submit comments on the 2024 proposed payment rule, watch the September webinar and more.

August

Podcast Episode: “Creating a Culture of Inclusion in ASCs”

August 16, 2023

Find out how to give your ASC an edge in today’s labor market by creating a culture of belonging.

Q2 2023 Benchmarking Reports Now Available

August 15, 2023

Subscribers to ASCA’s 2023 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey can now access their Q2 reports.

Celebrate Member Appreciation Week

August 14, 2023

This week is all about celebrating ASCA members. Play games, win prizes and more!

August Is National ASC Month

August 1, 2023

Help celebrate by hosting a facility tour and encouraging your members of Congress to support ASCs.

July

Podcast Episode: “Medicare’s 2024 Proposed ASC Payment Rule”

July 25, 2023

Learn about Medicare’s proposed updates to ASC payments, covered procedures, quality reporting requirements and more.

2023 Salary & Benefits Survey Reports Now Available

July 18, 2023

Reports from ASCA’s 2023 Salary & Benefits Survey are now available for purchase.

Admin Program Virtual Class Application Period Now Open

July 17, 2023

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 virtual class of the ASC Administrator Development Program.

CMS Releases 2024 Proposed Medicare Payment Rule

July 13, 2023

CMS has released the 2024 proposed payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD).