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Despite last summer’s widely publicized insurer pledge to improve prior authorization, new survey data from the American Medical Association show physicians are pervasively skeptical that meaningful change will occur—reflecting years of similar commitments that have failed to produce lasting improvements. In June 2025, after successful engagement from the Trump administration to address widespread concerns from patients and physicians, roughly 60 health insurers pledged to streamline, simplify, and reduce prior authorization requirements, with implementation deadlines spanning 2025 through 2027.
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AMA Press Release (05/13/26)
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Thank you to everyone who joined us in Washington, D.C., for the ASCA + SAMBA Conference & Expo! If you attended the conference, be sure to request your continuing education (CE) credits online via ASCA’s Education & Events Portal. The deadline to request CE credits is June 30.As a reminder, you must complete evaluations for the sessions you attended before you can request CE credits. |
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ASCA Content (05/19/26)
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Save Up To 50% on Demo & Refurbished Medical EquipmentSoma Tech Intl has been a trusted leader in the refurbished medical equipment industry for over 30 years, offering new, demo, & refurbished capital medical equipment up to 50% below OEM prices with the same service and warranty as new.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a sweeping rule to strengthen oversight of the Affordable Care Act Exchanges for plan year 2027 by lowering user fees, tightening eligibility verification, and giving states greater authority over plan oversight. The final rule, “Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; Basic Health Program” (the 2027 Payment Notice final rule) reduces federal Exchange user fees to help lower premiums, establishes new safeguards to prevent improper enrollments, ensures subsidies go only to eligible individuals, increases consumer choice, affordability, access and protections, and expands state flexibility to manage Exchange operations.
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CMS Press Release (05/15/26)
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Learn how one ASC reduced aged AR by 33% and boosted cash per case by 6% in six months through focused revenue integrity, analytics, and hands-on collaboration. The results highlight what’s possible when strategy and execution align.Read more.
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The ASCA + SAMBA Conference & Expo was a resounding success both in scale and impact. The conference hosted thousands of participants, more than 200 exhibiting companies and 36 unique sponsors exchanging ideas, attending insightful sessions and networking. Read this Digital Debut to learn more. |
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ASCA Content (05/19/26)
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HST’s EMR gives your ASC real-time electronic charting, 100% chart completion, and simultaneous multi-clinician access."What normally takes 3–4 hours for a chart audit was done in 37 minutes."Hannah Martinez, Clinical Director, Cascade Spine Center"We've eliminated chart audit battles 100%. Nobody leaves without a signature."Michael Tassos, Administrator, Pegasus Surgery CenterJoin 1,800+ ASCs who use HSTBook a demo
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PAI and Avalere Health have engaged in a long-term research collaboration to study how consolidation trends are impacting physicians. This report adds two additional years’ data (2024 and 2025) to previous research and provides insights into: (1) the trend of acquisitions of physician practices by hospitals/health systems (hereby referred to as “hospitals”) and other types of corporate entities; and (2) the dramatic shift of physicians from independent practice to employment.
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Physicians Advocacy Institute (05/13/26)
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ASCA awarded its 2026 Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community to Kay Tucker, former director of communications at ASCA, at the ASCA + SAMBA Conference & Expo in Washington, D.C., May 13–16. Read this ASC Focus article to learn more. |
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ASCA Content (05/19/26)
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We previously reported the 10-year effects of colonoscopy screening on colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. Here, we report the effects after 13 years of follow-up.
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The Lancet (05/09/26) Vol. 407, No. 10541, P. 1787 Michal F. Kaminski; Mette Kalager; Magnus Løberg; et al.
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ASCA joined hands with ASC Data and ASC News to produce the State of the ASC Market 2026 report. The report takes a deep dive into what’s driving density-first growth, where specialty development is heating up, why health systems are treating surgery centers as essential infrastructure, and which constraints could shape the pace of change in 2026 and beyond. Download the report today. |
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ASCA Content (05/19/26)
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OrthoCarolina, a Charlotte-based physician-owned and physician-led orthopedic practice, is expanding its ambulatory surgery center (ASC) footprint across the Charlotte region with plans for a new orthopedic ASC in Steele Creek and the expansion of its existing Matthews ASC, continuing the organization's long-term investment in physician-led outpatient orthopedic care. Together, the projects will increase OrthoCarolina's single-specialty wholly owned ASC operating room capacity from four operating rooms today to 10 operating rooms over the next 18 months, expanding patient access to outpatient orthopedic procedures across one of the fastest-growing regions in the Carolinas.
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PRWeb (05/12/26)
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Please take our member survey to tell us how your facility uses artificial intelligence (AI). Do you use any AI applications in your facility and how often do you use them? Are you concerned that AI applications could jeopardize your facility’s regulatory compliance or patient privacy? Share your thoughts on the use of AI in ASCs by completing our brief survey. |
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ASCA Content (05/19/26)
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is aware that the U.S. is experiencing interruptions in the supply of neurosurgical patties, sponges and strip devices because of recent supplier issues. The manufacturing disruption in supply of these devices is expected to impact patient care and may require adjustments to the clinical management of patients receiving neurosurgery or microsurgery.
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FDA Letters to Health Care Providers (05/06/26)
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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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