HHS to Reconsider Same-Day Surgery Regulations

The Department of Health & Human Services has announced a preliminary plan to review same-day surgery regulations and other burdensome regulatory requirements, according to an ASC Association release.

President Obama is requiring HHS, as well as other agencies, to review regulations and determine those that need to be changed or removed because they are out-of-date, unnecessary, excessively burdensome or in contradiction with other rules.

HHS will review the requirement that ASCs generally provide certain notices to patients prior to the date of surgery. The ASC Association met with agency staff last month to advise HHS to revise the advance notice requirements that currently limit ASCs from performing surgery on the same day it is scheduled. Currently, ASCs can perform same-day surgery if the physician deems same-day surgery medically necessary.

HHS will also review regulations with the goal of developing consistency in quality reporting programs. The ASCA hopes this will result in quality reporting that would help patients compare ASCs and HOPDs on an apples-to-apples basis.

Read a copy of the HHS report here.

Learn more about the ASC Association.

Related Articles on HHS:
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HHS Releases New Interactive Video to Prevent HAIs
HHS Secretary Sebelius Applauds Hospitals for Joining Infection Prevention Initiative

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