Here are seven updates for ASC leaders to know for May 31, 2018.
After 47-year moratorium, Massachusetts has 1st new ASC
The Surgery Center at Shrewsbury (Mass.) opened May 24, becoming the first new center in Massachusetts since the state lifted a moratorium preventing new centers in 2017. The state implemented a moratorium on new ASC construction in 1971, after local hospitals lobbied to protect their services and revenue.
3 ASCs, Cigna settle alleged ERISA violation suit
Cigna settled a lawsuit accusing three centers of violating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Connecticut General Life Insurance and Cigna Health and Life Insurance filed the suit against three surgery centers, alleging Cigna overpaid the ASCs around $8 million for out-of-network services. The ASCs allegedly waived patient payments for out-of-network bills but continued to bill the insurance company.
Bill incentivizing opioid alternative in ASCs advances to House
The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Post-Surgical Injections as an Opioid Alternative Act, which would partially reverse CMS' decision to cut the reimbursement rate for post-surgical injections in the ASC setting as an incentive for providers to use them as an alternative to opioids in pain treatment.
UPS to deliver critical shipments to ASCs within 4 hours
UPS launched a field inventory tracking platform in collaboration with WebOps and Baxter Planning to optimize delivery of surgical kits and implantable devices. Utilizing the platforms' cloud-based capabilities, UPS aims to deliver critical shipments to 80 percent of hospitals and ASCs within four hours.
Healthcare Re, Muve Health roll out 1st prospective bundle reinsurance policy
Two Value Health portfolio companies, Healthcare Re and Muve Health, partnered to implement the nation's first reinsurance policy for an at-risk prospective bundle. The policy covers a 90-day bundle for total hip and knee replacement procedures performed at Muve's total joint replacement locations.
PE group partners with ophthalmology practices to form Vision Integrated Partners
The Firmament Group entered into a partnership with several ophthalmology practices in California and Florida to form Vision Integrated Partners, an ophthalmology-focused management services organization. Together, the practices tout a staff of more than 30 ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Tenet appoints retired 4-star US Army general, L1 Health managing partner to board
Tenet Healthcare appointed two new independent directors amid a year-long board shake-up. The two new board members include retired four-star U.S. Army General Lloyd Austin, III, and L1 Health Managing Partner Meghan FitzGerald, DrPH. Both new independent board members have extensive leadership experience and Lead Director Bob Kerrey is confident both will add value to the company.