Here are seven news updates for ambulatory surgery center leaders to know for March 5, 2015.
Supreme Court hears King v. Burwell.
The Supreme Court began to hear arguments in the King v. Burwell case on March 4. The case challenges federal subsidies to states with federal exchange programs as opposed to state-run programs. The Affordable Care Act gives subsidies to individuals who can't afford healthcare coverage through "an exchange established by the state"; King argues this excludes states where the federal government runs the exchange. There are 37 states falling into this category where people currently receive subsidies to purchase health insurance from the exchanges. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
Two more hospitals report CRE outbreaks.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, also in Los Angeles, reported four patients have been infected with CRE following ERCP performed with duodenoscopes. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services confirmed five patients were infected with CRE in a 2013 outbreak at a medical facility in the state. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
USPI reports 6% increase in 4Q revenues.
United Surgical Partners International announced its fourth quarter and year-end financial results. USPI reported net revenues of $174.7 million for the fourth quarter, up 6 percent from $164.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. USPI's net revenues for 2014 increased 4 percent from $616.2 million in 2013 to $640.8 million this year.
DISC Sports & Spine Center plans to launch hip arthroscopy center of excellence.
DISC Sports & Spine Center plans to launch a new hip arthroscopy center of excellence. DISC founder Robert S Bray, Jr., announced that orthopedic surgeon and hip specialist Dean K. Matsuda, MD, will lead the establishment of the center and serve as its director.
33% of physician groups to face penalties under value-based modifier program this year.
Last Friday the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported a third of physician groups with 100 practitioners or more will face penalties under the value-based modifier program in 2015.
Wichita physicians to develop freestanding heart, surgery center.
A group of Wichita, Kan., cardiologists have partnered to establish a freestanding heart and surgery center. The new 8,000-square-foot facility will be serve Wichita and surrounding communities. The physicians involved in the projected are affiliated with Heartland Cardiology, but the facility will not be solely for the clinic's use.
The Eye Care & Surgery Center adds new surgeon.
Henry Lee, MD, facial reconstructive surgeon, joined The Eye Care & Surgery Center in Westfield, N.J. He focuses on providing care for patients with issues such as entropion, ectropion, droopy eyelids, orbital tumors, orbitofacial trauma, lacrimal system trauma and more.