Here are seven things ASC leaders should know for April 16, 2018.
MedPAC advises Congress to make ASC cost reporting mandatory
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission made two ASC-specific recommendations to Congress in its March 2018 report: that Medicare payment rates remain the same in 2019 and cost reporting be mandatory for participation in the Medicare program.
Spine surgery in outpatient setting linked to fewer ER visits postoperative, study shows
A study published in Spine examined the number of emergency room visits resulting from spine surgery performed at hospitals compared to outpatient settings. The study found outpatient spine clinic services reduce the likelihood of both 30-day and 90-day emergency department utilization.
Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia decrees surgery center safety
The Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia rebuked a story by Kaiser Health News and USA Today, stressing that millions of procedures have been safely performed in an ASC or hospital outpatient setting. Read more.
Humana expands orthopedic bundled payment model to 7 more states
Humana more than doubled the number of states where it offers a bundled payment program for Medicare Advantage members undergoing total hip or knee joint replacement procedures. The model is now available in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
Mississippi eye practice reopens
Brooks Eye Center in Columbus, Miss., is reopening April 17. When Brooks reopens, the center will have its largest staff to date.
Alabama revises workers' compensation fee schedule for ASCs
The Alabama Department of Labor revised the 2018 workers' compensation fee schedule for ASCs. The revisions include prevailing rates and maximum fees for 42 surgery centers. The schedule covers discount rates.
ASCA Foundation to fund One World Surgery medical mission scholarships
ASCA Foundation partnered with U.S.-based nonprofit One World Surgery to provide scholarships for nurses, surgical techs and scrub techs to participate in One World Surgery's medical mission in Honduras.