Here are seven news updates for ambulatory surgery center leaders to know for July 20, 2015.
ACA provides fewer choices of physicians
A new study reveals the Affordable Care Act offers fewer healthcare providers in insurance plans' networks, according to The Hill.On average, the ACA offers 34 percent fewer healthcare providers in the insurance plans' network. Additionally, there are 24 percent fewer hospitals and 32 percent fewer primary care physicians available in payers' networks.
AGA lobbies for GI on Capitol Hill
The American Gastroenterological Association traveled to Capitol Hill for the Alliance of Specialty Medicine's annual legislative conference held July 13 to July 15. AGA representatives pushed for legislators to continue overseeing the implementation of Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. The AGA leaders also discussed changes to Stage 3 of meaningful use. The GI society hopes to see new measures specific to specialty physicians.
Wentworth Surgery Center (N.H.) joins local chamber of commerce
Wentworth Surgery Center in Somersworth, N.H., has joined the Greater Somersworth Chamber of Commerce, according to a fosters.com report. Wentworth Surgery Center is a 6,700-square-foot, multispecialty surgery center. The center offers ENT, gastroenterology, general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, oral surgery, orthopedics, podiatry and urology services.
TLC Health Network opposes Premier ASC project in New York
TLC Health Network, based in Irving, N.Y., is voicing opposition to a new surgery center project proposed for Hamburg, N.Y., according to a Buffalo Business First report. TLC Health is arguing against the project, claiming that the surgery center would have a detrimental impact on its Lake Shore Health Care Center in Irving, N.Y. The project will go before the Public Health and Health Planning Council establishment committee for review on July 23, according to the report. The project will then move forward to full committee review.
CMS gives average rating to most home health agencies
The majority of home health agencies received a rating of three based on CMS' five-star rating program. The program compares quality and safety at U.S. healthcare facilities, according to Crain's Chicago Business. The national average for more than 9,000 home health agencies is three, with five being the best on the star-rating scale.
Barnabas Health & Robert Wood Johnson Health System partner
Barnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson Health System have signed a definitive agreement which outlines the merger that will create one of the largest health systems in the country under the name RWJ Barnabas Health. RWJ Barnabas Health will annually represent operating revenues of over $4.5 billion and will represent 260,000 inpatient admissions and 2 million outpatient visits.
England chooses Seattle's Virginia Mason Institute to help improve safety & control costs
England's National Health Service Trust Development Authority will implement Virginia Mason Institute's management system as part of an effort to improve safety and quality, and control costs at NHS hospitals. The institute will train and mentor professionals at five NHS acute-care hospital trusts to use the Virginia Mason Production System.