News & Analysis

10 Most-Read Articles on Becker's ASC Review in August 2010

Here are the 10 most-read articles in Becker's ASC Review in August.

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty Rejects All Funds From Reform Bill

Tags: executive order | healthcare reform law | Minnesota governor | Tim Pawlenty

Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota's Republican governor, has issued an executive order rejecting all funds from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the healthcare reform law, according to a report by Minnesota Public Radio.

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Appeals Court Rules Health Plan Administrator Abused Discretion in Determining Discounted Rate was "Unreasonable," Case May Have Implications for OON Providers

Tags: customary and reasonable | Larry Crain | out of network

The United States Fifth Court of Appeals has upheld a district court ruling that a health plan violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act by refusing payment to a hospital for health services it felt were not "reasonable and customary," according to court documents. Further, the court upheld a ruling that the plan administrator abused discretion in denying the claim.

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10 Challenges Facing Community Hospitals

Tags: community hospitals | hospital business

The nation's community hospitals, long a backbone for healthcare provision in this country, face increasing challenges as reimbursements fall, regulations become more complicated and payors demand closer collaboration with physicians and other outpatient providers. These hospitals continue to join larger organizations. Of the 5,010 community hospitals in the nation, the AHA reports 2,868 are now part of healthcare systems. Here we ask five experts to comment on specific challenges faced by this sector.

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New Poll Shows Support Slipping Again For Healthcare Reform Law

Tags: healthcare reform

After bumping up in a July poll, public support for the healthcare reform law in a new poll is back to its May levels, according to a report by Kaiser Health News.

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ASC Association Gives Farewell Tribute to President Kathy Bryant

Tags: Ambulatory Surgery Foundation | ASC Association | ASC industry | Kathy Bryant

ASC Association and Ambulatory Surgery Foundation have assembled a final tribute to President Kathy Bryant, who is set to depart both organizations Aug. 31.

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ASCAC Delivers Comments to CMS on Proposed ASC Payment System Changes

Tags: Andrew Hayek | ASC industry | ASC payment system | ASCAC | Donald Berwick

The Ambulatory Surgery Center Advocacy Committee has sent a letter to Donald Berwick, MD, administrator of CMS, with the Committee's comments on the proposed 2011 rule for ASC payments.

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Don Berwick Refuses Sen. Grassely's Request for Donor List

Tags: Charles Grassley | Donald Berkwick

CMS Administrator Don Berwick, MD, has declined a request from Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) to provide a list people who donated to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, which Dr. Berwick headed before his CMS appointment, according to the Hill.

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Healthcare Reform Opponents Rev Up Ad Campaigns for November Elections

Tags: healthcare reform

A political group affiliated with former top GOP officials is airing more than $2 million in TV ads against politicians such as Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), who is running for Arlen Spector's Senate seat, according to a report by the Associated Press.

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Medical Necessity Reviews Underway by Region D RAC

Tags: medical necessity review | RAC audits

The Recovery Audit Contractor for Region D has begun medical necessity reviews for 10 types of inpatient hospital conditions, according to a report by AHA News Now.

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