Latest News

September

ASC Focus: ASCA Advocates for Changes to CMS 2025 Proposed Payment Rule

September 13, 2024

ASCA’s comments include proposals to continue aligning the ASC and HOPD update factors, additions to the ASC-CPL and changes to the ASCQR Program.

New Podcast Episode: “OAS CAHPS Keys to Success”

September 9, 2024

ASCA and Press Ganey discuss what ASCs need to do to avoid future Medicare rate reductions tied to this new patient survey that becomes mandatory January 1, 2025.

ASC Focus: Joining Forces

September 6, 2024

ASC joint ventures are not a new concept. What is new is the level of interest from external parties in ASC joint ventures.

New! Virtual Education Included in 2025 ASCA Membership

September 5, 2024

Starting in 2025, ASCA membership will include all of ASCA’s virtual education offerings—at no additional cost!

Renew Your ASCA Membership Today!

September 4, 2024

Maintain your ASCA member benefits by renewing your membership now.

Important Dates in September

September 1, 2024

Submit comments on Medicare’s 2025 proposed ASC payment rule, watch the September webinar, check out where ASCA staff is speaking this month and more.

August

ASC Focus: ASCA Survey Provides Insight into Reporting ASCQR Measures

August 30, 2024

ASCA’s August 2024 60-Second Survey asked questions regarding the time and resources necessary to report measures in the Medicare ASC Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program.

ASC Focus: Comment Now on Medicare’s 2025 Proposed Rule

August 23, 2024

Submit your comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ 2025 proposed payment rule by September 9.

Benchmarking 2024 Q2 Reports Now Available

August 20, 2024

Subscribers to ASCA’s 2024 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey can now access their Q2 reports.

ASCA 2025 Conference & Expo: Registration Now Open!

August 19, 2024

Registration is now open for the ASCA 2025 Conference & Expo, taking place April 30–May 3 in Denver, Colorado.

ASC Focus: HIPAA Biannual Update

August 16, 2024

During the first half of 2024, healthcare organizations across the country posted 359 breaches of protected health information affecting 500 or more individuals.

ASCA’s Member Appreciation Week Is August 12–16

August 12, 2024

All this week, members can look forward to daily giveaways, exclusive discounts, member spotlights and more.

ASC Focus: ASCs Must Meet Updated Nondiscrimination Requirements

August 9, 2024

The recently released Section 1557 final rule from the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights creates three major deadlines for ASCs: July 5, 2024, November 2, 2024, and July 5, 2025.

ASC Focus: Avoid Life Safety Code Citations

August 2, 2024

It’s not easy to maintain compliance with the Life Safety Code, which covers a wide range of topics, including fire protection, means of egress, building construction and emergency lighting.

August Is National ASC Month

August 1, 2024

Help celebrate by promoting awareness of the ASC community and educating key policymakers about the many benefits ASCs provide.

Important Dates in August

August 1, 2024

Celebrate National ASC Month, attend the Sterile Processing & Infection Prevention in the ASC virtual course, participate in ASCA’s Member Appreciation Week and more.

July

ASC Focus: South Carolina Finalizes New ASC Licensing Regulations

July 26, 2024

Surgery centers in South Carolina now face new obligations due to implementation of the certificate of need reform that occurred on May 16, 2023.

ASCA Posts Proposed Rule Medicare Payment Resources

July 25, 2024

ASCA has posted multiple resources to help ASCs understand the proposed changes to Medicare rates and policies in the 2025 proposed payment rule.

New Podcast Episode: “Advocating for ASCs”

July 16, 2024

Todd Currier, an ASC administrator and ASCA Board treasurer, offers advice for getting your ASC’s physicians involved in ASC advocacy.

ASC Administrator Development Program Applications Due July 31

July 15, 2024

Applications are now being accepted for the fall virtual class of the ASC Administrator Development Program, which will run from September 2024–August 2025.

ASC Focus: CMS Releases 2025 Proposed Medicare Payment Rule

July 11, 2024

In the 2025 proposed payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) released on July 10, CMS proposed to extend the alignment of ASC and HOPD update factors through 2025.

ASC Focus: Sg2 2024 Annual Report Projects High Growth in ASC Volume

July 8, 2024

Between 2024 and 2034, ASC volume will go up 21 percent to 44 million, according to Sg2’s 2024 Impact of Change report.

CMS Releases 2025 Proposed Payment Rule

July 10, 2024

CMS has released the 2025 proposed payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD).

Benchmarking 2024 Q2 Data Submission Now Open

July 1, 2024

Data submission for Q2 of ASCA’s 2024 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey is now open and will close on July 31.

Important Dates in July

July 1, 2024

Submit 2024 Q2 benchmarking data, apply for the fall class of the ASC Administrator Development Program, register for ASCA’s Sterile Processing & Infection Prevention in the ASC virtual course and more.

June

ASC Focus: National Health Expenditures Projected to Exceed $5 Trillion in 2024

June 28, 2024

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of the Actuary recently released annually updated projections of National Health Expenditures for the years 2023–2032.

ASC Focus: Facility Fee Restrictions Remain on the Agenda in 2024

June 21, 2024

Throughout 2024, state legislatures have kept the topic of facility fee restrictions alive, entertaining proposals that, if enacted, would prevent ASCs from billing facility fees.

New Podcast Episode: “Unleash the Power of Data to Transform Your ASC”

June 17, 2024

Will Evans, senior director of data science & insights at HST Pathways, offers practical advice for using data to improve your ASC.

ASC Focus: Optimize Your Sterile Processing Department

June 14, 2024

Patient safety is the top priority for a sterile processing department (SPD), says Katlyn Karahuta, SPD lead for Ohio Specialty Surgical Suites (OS3) in North Canton, Ohio.

ASC Focus: CMS Releases Top Citations from 2023

June 7, 2024

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Quality, Certification & Oversight Reports (QCOR) page allows the public to pull citation frequency reports for both health surveys and Life Safety Code surveys.

New Podcast Episode: “The ABCs of an Effective, Compliant ASC Infection Prevention Plan”

June 3, 2024

Infection prevention (IP) educator and consultant Debbie Mack, RN, CAIP, talks with ASCA CEO Bill Prentice about what it takes to build and sustain a holistic IP program.

Important Dates in June

June 1, 2024

Join ASCA’s Human Resources for ASC Managers virtual course, request CEs for ASCA 2024, prepare for the OAS CAHPS Survey and more.

May

ASC Focus: Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Reimbursement Overhaul Dies in Senate Committee

May 31, 2024

ASCA, in partnership with the Louisiana Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (LASCA), opposed Louisiana HB 863, which proposed a new workers’ compensation reimbursement schedule in the state.

ASC Focus: Three More States Adopt Surgical Smoke Evacuation Laws

May 24, 2024

Three more states—Minnesota, Virginia and West Virginia—have adopted surgical smoke evacuation requirements for ASCs and hospitals in the 2024 legislative session.

New Podcast Episode: “HR Strategies for Surgery Center Administrators”

May 20, 2024

Sal Puccio, a legal expert on ASC employment practices, looks at how surgery centers can remain compliant with the nation’s ever-evolving human resources laws.

ASC Focus: National Advocacy Day Secures More Support for ASC Legislation

May 17, 2024

Since ASCA hosted its annual National Advocacy Day earlier this year, five new cosponsors have joined the Outpatient Surgery Quality and Access Act of 2023 (H.R. 972/S. 312).

Benchmarking 2024 Q1 Reports Now Available

May 15, 2024

Subscribers to ASCA’s 2024 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey can now access their Q1 reports.

ASC Focus: Welcome, New Graduates

May 10, 2024

New graduates represent a significant opportunity for ASCs to fill open job positions. Learn how to attract and hire students fresh out of college.

2024 National Nurses Week

May 6, 2024

May 6–12 is National Nurses Week. To celebrate our nurses, ASC Focus will feature a nurse every day of the week answering a question about their profession.

ASC Focus: ASCA Opposes FTC’s Ban on Noncompete Agreements

May 3, 2024

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted 3-2 to adopt the “Non-Compete Clause Rule” or the final rule, last week. The final rule “adopts a comprehensive ban on new non-competes with all workers, including senior executives.”

Important Dates in May

May 1, 2024

Celebrate National Nurses Week, submit ASCQR data, register for next month’s HR virtual course and more.

April

New Podcast Episode: “Cybersecurity for Surgery Centers”

April 30, 2024

Surgical Information Systems’ Chief Information Security Officer Dr. Paul Alcock talks with ASCA CEO Bill Prentice about how to protect your ASC.

ASC Focus: ASCA 2024 Rocking Orlando

April 19, 2024

After three days of roaring success, the ASCA 2024 Conference & Expo will wrap up tomorrow. The Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is humming with nearly 2,100 participants, 167 exhibiting companies and 45 unique sponsors.

ASC Focus: Shining a Light on National Minority Health Month

April 12, 2024

April is National Minority Health Month, a dedicated time to raise awareness about the health disparities faced by racial and ethnic minorities, as well as American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities in the US.

New Podcast Episode: AMSURG Vice President Discusses Importance of Colorectal Cancer Screening

April 11, 2024

AMSURG’s Dr. Abbey Vandersall talks about trends in colorectal cancer screening and the role of surgery centers in expanding patient access to care.

ASC Focus: Supporting Vulnerable Patients

April 5, 2024

The federal government’s Healthy People 2030 initiative defines social determinants of health (SDOH) as “the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.”

Benchmarking 2024 Q1 Data Submission Now Open

April 1, 2024

Data submission for Q1 of ASCA’s 2024 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey is now open and will close on April 30.

Important Dates in April

April 1, 2024

Attend ASCA 2024, submit 2024 Q1 benchmarking data, participate in ASCA’s latest 60-Second Survey, watch the April webinar and more.

March

ASC Focus: ASCA Continues to Advocate for Full Coverage of Colonoscopies

March 29, 2024

As Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a serious threat, ranking as the second deadliest cancer in the US after lung cancer. The good news is that many CRC cases are preventable through regular screenings like colonoscopies.

ASC Physician Brief: Spring 2024

March 27, 2024

Read the Spring 2024 edition of ASCA’s quarterly “ASC Physician Brief” to learn the latest about physician payment policy discussions in Congress, ASCA’s recent National Advocacy Day and more.

ASC Focus: Start on OAS CAHPS Survey Implementation Now

March 22, 2024

The Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (OAS CAHPS) Survey will become a mandatory component of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ ASC Quality Reporting Program on January 1, 2025.

Save 40% on ASCA 2024 Registration!

March 15, 2024

We’ve restructured pricing to help you save money and make attending ASCA 2024 more accessible than ever. Register now to take advantage of the lowest rates in years.

Register for ASCA’s New Regulatory Series

March 15, 2024

The Regulatory Series is free for ASCA members and consists of short, live, conversational sessions that provide you with the insights and guidance you need to ensure your facility is compliant with the complex network of regulatory requirements.

ASC Focus: National Advocacy Day Attendee Helps Secure New Congressional Supporter

March 15, 2024

Jennifer Hodge, chief operating officer at Carolina Interventional Pain Institute in Columbia, South Carolina, recently traveled to Washington, DC, to participate in National Advocacy Day and met with Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC).

ASC Focus: ASCA Members Make National Advocacy Day a Success

March 8, 2024

From February 26–28, ASCA members traveled from 28 states to Washington, DC, for this year’s National Advocacy Day to educate members of Congress and their staff on ASCs and urge them to support the Outpatient Surgery Quality and Access Act of 2023.

New Podcast Episode: “Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery in ASCs”

March 4, 2024

Oral surgeon Dayne Jensen, MD, explains why he believes an ASC offers the safest, most convenient setting for his patients and how he turned his vision into reality—even for Medicaid patients in his community.

Tools to Help ASCs Respond to Change Healthcare’s Cybersecurity Issues

March 1, 2024

ASCA pulled together three resources to help ASCs effectively and efficiently respond to disruptions caused by the cybersecurity issues Change Healthcare has been experiencing since last week.

ASC Focus: Welcome to ASCA 2024

March 1, 2024

Discover the magic that comes with being surrounded by hundreds of colleagues and friends at the largest ASC conference of the year and less than a mile from Walt Disney World.

ASC Focus: Prepare for Third-Party Cybersecurity Incidents

March 1, 2024

Last week, a cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group paralyzed subsidiary Change Healthcare, part of Optum, causing billing disruptions at different healthcare entities including ASCs.

Important Dates in March

March 1, 2024

Register for ASCA 2024 for a chance to win FREE LIFETIME REGISTRATION, sign up for the new Regulatory Series, stay on the lookout for the ASCA Audio Update and more.

February

Win Free Conference Registration for Life!

February 26, 2024

Register for the ASCA 2024 Conference & Expo by March 8 and you’ll be entered to win free registration to ASCA’s annual conferences FOR LIFE.

Change Healthcare Experiencing Cybersecurity Issues

February 23, 2024

Change Healthcare is experiencing cybersecurity issues. Updates are available online.

ASC Focus: Choose to Get Your ASC Accredited

February 23, 2024

Accreditation plays a vital role in validating the ASC community’s solid reputation of performing high-quality, safe care for the communities served. ASCA’s virtual course “Getting to Know the ASC Accrediting Organizations” can help you select the best accrediting organization for your surgery center.

FREE Member Webinar: Introduction to ANSI/AAMI ST108

February 21, 2024

Listen to this discussion about water quality and its application to medical device processing through the standard ANSI/AAMI ST108. This webinar is free for ASCA members; nonmembers can purchase access to the program.

ASC Focus: Maine Legislature Balks at Site-of-Service Facility Fee Restrictions

February 16, 2024

On February 6, Maine’s Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services voted to report out legislation related to transparency recommendations and restrictions on facility fees associated with telehealth services.

Benchmarking 2023 Q4 Reports Now Available

February 15, 2024

Subscribers to ASCA’s 2023 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey can now access their Q4 reports.

ASC Focus: HIPAA Biannual Update

February 8, 2024

During the last half of 2023, healthcare organizations across the country posted 336 breaches of protected health information affecting 500 or more individuals.

ASC Focus: ASCA Advocacy Results in TSA Coverage in ASCs

February 2, 2024

Now that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has added total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) to the ASC Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL), the healthcare system will save a considerable amount.

Submit a Presentation Proposal for ASCA 2025

February 1, 2024

ASCA is now accepting presentation proposals for the ASCA 2025 Conference & Expo. The submission deadline is March 31.

Important Dates in February

February 1, 2024

Get a SUITE deal for ASCA 2024, submit your ASC-20 data, attend National Advocacy Day, renew your ASCA membership and more.

January

ASC-20: 2023 Q3 Data Due February 15

January 31, 2024

The deadline to submit data for the third quarter of 2023 for ASC-20: COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel is February 15.

OAS CAHPS Survey Becomes Mandatory in 2025: Use ASCA’s New Resources to Get Started NOW

January 26, 2024

Visit ASCA’s new OAS CAHPS resources page to learn more about the approved survey vendors and find out what you need to do to get started.

ASC Focus: State Legislatures Kick Off 2024 with Continued Focus on Healthcare

January 26, 2024

This year’s state legislative sessions are well underway, with 39 state legislatures actively meeting as of January 17, and the most unfortunate trend in healthcare policy in 2023, facility fee restrictions, already rearing its ugly head.

ASC Focus: Medicare Introduces New ASC Procedure Request Process

January 19, 2024

CMS recently rolled out the ASC Covered Procedures List Pre-Proposed Rule Recommendation Request, a new way to submit codes for consideration.

What Should Medicare Add to the ASC Covered Procedures List?

January 18, 2024

Help ASCA advocate for the expansion of CMS’ ASC Covered Procedures List by completing a brief survey.

Administrator Development Program Applications Due January 31

January 16, 2024

Applications are now being accepted for the spring virtual class of the ASC Administrator Development Program, which will run from March 2024–February 2025.

ASC Focus: Headwinds and Tailwinds Shaping ASC Performance

January 11, 2024

Learn more about the challenges and opportunities ASCs will face in the new year.

ASC Focus: Trends to Watch in 2024

January 5, 2024

Industry experts weigh in on what to expect this year and how to make the best of the circumstances.

ASCA’s 2024 Q1 Medicare Rate Calculator Now Available

January 4, 2024

ASCA has posted the 2024 Q1 Medicare Rate Calculator, which shows correct local and national rates based on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services January addenda.

Important Dates in January

January 3, 2024

Attend the virtual coding course, submit your Q4 benchmarking data, prepare for the OAS CAHPS Survey and more.

Benchmarking 2023 Q4 Data Submission Now Open

January 2, 2024

Data submission for Q4 of ASCA’s 2023 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey is now open and will close on January 31.