Here are seven things for ambulatory surgery center leaders to know for August 12, 2013.
August 15 is National ASC Day.
Thursday, August 15, is National ASC Day. Ambulatory surgery centers have the opportunity to hold events to raise awareness and reach out to leaders in the community. Tells us what you're doing for National ASC Day!
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Allina Health partner to offer novel insurance plan.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and Allina Health have partnered to offer a new type of insurance plan called BluePrint. BluePrint includes some free office visits, the elimination of co-pays and full coverage of many prescription drugs. The plan will be available to families and individuals for both large and small employers in the 11-county Twin Cities area. Though the price is expected to be lower than "open choice" plans, patients will be limited to Allina providers.
CMS requests comment on disclosing individual physicians' Medicare payments.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is requesting public comment on how to suitably disclose individual physician Medicare payment data. CMS would like input on policies to consider and in what form the individual payment data should be released. CMS is accepting comments until Sept. 5.
Percentage of hospitals offering outpatient surgery rises 7 percent from 2002 to 2012.
Hospital competition is an ever-present issue in the ASC industry. The percentage of hospitals offering outpatient services has remained fairly steady, at 94 percent in 2002 and 95 percent in 2012, according to MedPAC data. The percentage of hospitals offering outpatient surgery has risen from 84 percent in 2002 to 91 percent in 2012.
Surgery Center Network sponsors Association for Corporate Health-Risk Management.
Surgery Center Network has announced that has become a sponsor of the Association for Corporate Health-Risk Management. ACHRM, an employer-exclusive community in Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., provides a medium for collaboration on reducing a company's healthcare costs, while improving employee well-being and productivity.
Baptist Plaza Surgicare files CON for relocation.
Baptist Plaza Surgicare in Nashville, Tenn., has filed a certificate of need for the relocation of its existing ambulatory surgical treatment center. The existing facility has nine operating rooms and one procedure suite. The CON calls for the relocation to a building in Nashville with 28,500 square feet available.
Great Plains Surgery Center opens in Olathe.
Great Plains Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery has opened a new surgery center in Olathe, Kan. The surgery center will offer services such as tooth extraction, dental implants and reconstructive facial surgery.
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