Here are seven things ASC leaders should know for Oct. 16, 2017.
Trump administration ends cost-sharing subsidy payments to insurance companies
The Trump administration is discontinuing cost-sharing reduction payments to health insurance companies. The ACA created the subsidies to expand coverage to low-income Americans on the exchanges by paying insurers for covering this cohort. The Congressional Budget Office said these payments totaled an estimated $7 billion this year.
Aetna's new spinal laminotomy/laminectomy policy updates modifier -59 instructions
Aetna issued a coverage policy update for laminotomy with arthrodesis procedures and continues to consider additional edits for upcoming policy revision. Aetna will no longer allow modifier – 59 to override the incidental denial of codes 63030, 63042, 63047 or 63048 when billed in conjunction with code 22632.
FDA microbiologists testify during trial on 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak
Various FDA microbiologists testified during the trial of Barry Cadden, former pharmacist and owner of Framingham, Mass.-based New England Compounding Center, which is now closed, for his involvement in deaths related to a 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak.
Olympus dives deeper into endoscopy field through product expansion
Olympus is expanding its EndoTherapy product line. The EndoTherapy line includes SB Knives, which facilitates controlled precision cutting during endoscopic submucosal dissections. The knives are part of an exclusive distribution agreement between Olympus and Sumitomo Bakelite.
Analysts cut Envision price target
Bank of America reduced its price target on Envision healthcare from $72 to $60 earlier this week. The firm has a "buy" rating on Envision shares.
70%+ of physicians prefer FFS
Physicians still prefer to operate in a fee-for-service payment system, according to Bain & Co.'s recently released US Front Line of Healthcare Survey.
AAAHC releases toolkit aimed at tracking patient tests and referrals
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care released a new toolkit that aims to help healthcare organizations implement and evaluate patient testing and referral systems to improve care coordination.