Medicare reimbursement for the 10 highest-volume procedures performed in ASCs is projected to increase 2.8 percent this year, according to a report from VMG Health.

Four recent stories about physicians:

Nearly all ASCs suffered a loss when elective surgeries paused in the spring of 2020. ASCs with highly functioning business operations have not only overcome those losses, but will benefit from a rebounding and growing market. ASCs with orthopedics have the advantage of offering one of the most financially desirable specialties.

A federal grand jury in Kentucky charged two surgeons this week with illegal opioid distribution, healthcare fraud and healthcare fraud conspiracy.

CMS and commercial payers are adopting new policies that push providers and patients out of the hospital and into surgery centers, The National Law Review reported Feb. 24.

Four updates on CMS:

The bipartisan No Surprises Act (“the Act”) was enacted on December 27, 2020. The Act provides comprehensive patient protection against surprise medical bills that occur when a patient receives a bill for the difference between an out-of-network provider’s charge and the amount paid by the patient’s insurance company, less patient cost sharing amounts.

President Joe Biden issued an executive order to reopen the ACA marketplace on Feb. 15 for expanded enrollment during the pandemic to give more Americans access to health insurance.

The U.S. has more than 900 health insurance companies that provide medical coverage.

While some ASC administrators have seen payers become more accepting of outpatient surgeries and drive cases to the ASC, others report continued challenges in contract negotiations.

ASCs began 2020 tracking ahead of 2019 in terms of overall case volume, based on procedure claims data from Definitive Healthcare.

St. Louis-based National Medical Billing Services, a revenue cycle management company, received an investment from private equity firm Aquiline Capital Partners.

President Joe Biden issued an executive order to open a special enrollment period for the health insurance marketplace from Feb. 15 to May 15.

The estate of an urologist agreed to settle allegations he submitted false claims related to lithotripsy procedures, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the middle district of Florida.

Prior to leaving office on Jan. 20, former President Donald Trump granted a pardon for a New Jersey surgeon who pleaded guilty to obstructing justice during an investigation of his billing practices, according to a report in the Courier Post.

Niagara Falls, N.Y.-based Ambulatory Surgery Center of Niagara is seeking permanent certification, Buffalo Business First reported Jan. 18.

The Williamson County, Tenn., board of commissioners passed a resolution opposing state legislation to revise certificate-of-need laws, the Williamson Herald reported Jan. 11.

The most recent stimulus bill included multiple changes that will affect physician pay and practices going forward, according to a report in Medscape.

The average salary for medical coding professionals varies by location, practice setting and credential.

With the new calendar year, several CMS changes took effect, with more on the way. Here's a roundup of changes CMS made or will make in 2021: