Here are seven news updates for ambulatory surgery center leaders to know for Feb. 5, 2015.
Obama's budget plan calls for HOPD rates to align with ASC rates.
President Barack Obama's proposed budget aims to save Medicare $423 billion between 2016 and 2025. Amongst bold moves such as sustainable growth rate repeal and primary care incentive payments, hospital outpatient department payments would be subject to great change. The proposed budget would lower off-campus HOPD rates to physician fee schedule or ambulatory surgery center rates.
House votes to repeal PPACA.
In a 239 to 186 vote, the Republican-led House passed legislation to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Earlier this month, at the House Democratic Issues Conference in Philadelphia, President Barack Obama said he had lost count of the number of times the GOP has attempted to repeal the PPACA. He also said he would "happily" veto the most recent attempt. Read the full report on Becker's Hospital Review.
Joan Rivers' ENT physician contests lawsuit allegation.
Melissa Rivers has officially filed a lawsuit against Yorkville Endoscopy, but Joan Rivers' ENT physician Gwen Korovin, MD, is contesting her alleged actions on the day the comedienne went into cardiac arrest. The lawsuit alleges that Dr. Korovin left the procedure room and did not attempt to resuscitate the patient. Dr. Korovin's attorney has stated that she was actually the last physician to leave the room
Surgery Partners acquires ASC, physician practices.
Surgery Partners acquired a majority stake in Delaware Outpatient Center for Surgery in Newark, and acquired two physician practices. The acquisitions come shortly after the company finalized the acquisition of ASC company Symbion.
Out-of-pocket medical costs on the rise.
Adult consumers with employer-sponsored insurance paid more than 15 percent of their medical bills out-of-pocket in 2013, amounting to approximately $700 a year. Consumer out-of-pocket spending for common health care procedures can vary from $10 to nearly $1,000 depending on the procedure. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
9 states on the verge of faster interstate physician licensing.
Interstate physician licensing could happen more quickly in nine states if new legislation is passed. The Medical Licensure Compact final model legislation was released last September and more than 25 medical and osteopathic boards have publically expressed support since then. Read the full article on Becker's ASC Review.
Robinwood Surgery Center to close this month.
Hagerstown, Md.-based Robinwood Surgery Center will close its doors later this month. Officially set for Feb. 20, the closure marks the end to a 20-year, 14,000-surgery run for the center, which will now be moved to Meritus Medical Center.