Latest News & Analysis
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1. 10 Benchmarks for Billing and Collections. 
2. 10 Women Leaders to Know in the ASC Industry. To see the complete list of 35 outstanding women to know in the ASC industry, read the Nov./Dec. issue of the Becker's ASC Review.
3. Receive a Free Copy of the new VMG Health Intellimarker, the Single Best Benchmarking Resource in the ASC Industry:
4. Average Charge and Payment Data for 13 Orthopedic Procedures Commonly Performed in ASCs.
5. Reminder: Hospital Physician-Ownership Disclosure Begins Oct. 1.
6. Gain Practical Guidance You Can Use Immediately: Add profits, work better with payors and understand the key statistics most important to ASCs. Learn about these topics and more at the fall ASC conference, Oct. 23 to 25 in Chicago.
7. Becker's ASC Review applauds the ASC Association and Kathy Bryant for their difference-making, outstanding efforts on behalf of the ASC industry. To join the ASC Association, call (703) 836-8808.
8. Mark Beaugard, MD: Saving Our Center: How We Turned Around an Underperforming ASC.
9. Joint Commission Issues Alert Concerning Blood Thinners.
10. AAAHC Institute for Quality Improvement Announces QI Award Winners.
11. Affiliated Credit Services Acquires Collection Associates.
12. Northstar Healthcare Appoints Silvano Ghirardi Interim CEO.
13. 2008 Carolinas Health Care Forum: Key Issues for Hospitals and Health Systems Leadership.
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| Economy's Impact: Knee Replacements Down 20% |
A recent analysis of claims from 250,000 people in several dozen mid-Atlantic employer health plans suggests that "even people with coverage are cutting back on care," reports the Wall Street Journal. This includes elective surgical procedures.
According to the study, conducted for the WSJ by research firm D2Hawkins, knee replacements per 1,000 people fell 18.6 percent between March 2007 and March 2008.
The story, which ran on page A10 of the Sept. 22 edition, notes that the "current economic slump's impact on demand for medical services has been surprisingly swift." Has your ASC been similarly affected by the downturn? Or have you managed to maintain volumes? If so, how?
E-mail your thoughts to this question to Stephanie Wasek at stephanie@beckersasc.com. Be sure to include your name, title and business name for confirmation purposes (you may request that we publish your answer anonymously).
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| What Specialties Are Most Important to Your ASC?
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Q: What specialties are the most important to your surgical facility?
E-mail your thoughts to this question to Stephanie Wasek at stephanie@beckersasc.com. Be sure to include your name, title and business name for confirmation purposes (you may request that we publish your answer anonymously).
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| What Is Your Surgical Facility Doing to Prevent Post-op Deep Vein Thrombosis?
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Q: Are ASCs engaging in anticoagulation prophylaxis? What is your surgical facility's protocol for preventing post-op deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
-- name withheld by request
E-mail your thoughts to this question to Stephanie Wasek at stephanie@beckersasc.com. Be sure to include your name, title and business name for confirmation purposes (you may request that we publish your answer anonymously).
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Fewer Than 30 Registration Spots Left for
Fall ASC Conference Oct. 23-25 -- Register Today!
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15th Annual Improving Profits and Business and Legal Issues for ASCs
Presented by ASC Communications and the Ambulatory Surgery Foundation
Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Chicago
Oct. 23 to 25
We have added rooms to our block, but it is again nearly sold out. Book your hotel ASAP. The Sheraton Hotel and Towers has set aside special group rates for conference attendees. Please contact the hotel directly to make your reservation. Be sure to mention you are attending the ASC Conference in order to receive the discounted group rate.
To make a reservation, go to www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/ASC102008, or call (800) 325-3535 or (312) 464-1000.
Group room rates:
Standard - $289 (single) or $319 (double)
Club Rooms - $364 (single) or $394 (double)
Here are five great examples of topics that will be covered at the conference:
1. Seven Deadly Sins in Purchasing for an ASC -- Larry Lane, Supply Chain Management
2. The Best Opportunities for ASCs Now -- Larry Taylor, President and CEO, Practice Partners in Healthcare
3. Core Tips and Strategies to Succeed with Orthopedics and Neurosurgery in ASCs --
Mike Lipomi, President, RMC Medstone
4. Do you Play Hockey? -- Why Centers are Using Canadian Markets to Sell Their ASCs -- Donald Kramer, MD, President, Northstar Healthcare; Larry Teuber, MD, President,
Medical Facilities Corp.
5. How a Hospital Partner Can Help an ASC - Should Your Hospital Own Shares and How
Much Should It Own? -- Phil Taylor, MD, Knightsbridge Surgical Center; Robert Carrera,
CEO, Pinnacle III; Ed Hetrick, President, Facility Development and Management
To see the entire agenda, download the conference brochure (PDF).
There are four ways to register:
1. Fill out and mail or fax the registration form in the conference brochure.
2. Call (703) 836-5904 or (800) 417-2035.
3. Register online by clicking here.
4. E-mail registration@ascassociation.org.
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Contact us toll-free: (800) 417-2035
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Featured E-Weekly Advertisers
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1. Amkai. Amkai is a software company with 20-plus years of experience delivering administrative and clinical solutions to ASCs, surgical hospitals and physician practices. The company is a silver sponsor of the Oct. ASC conference. Read more about Amkai.
2. Facility Development and Management. Facility Development and Management provides consultative, developmental and managerial services for ASCs nationwide. Read more about Facility Development and Management.
3. MediGain. MediGain helps healthcare providers to preserve profitability with improved and low cost back-office processes. Read more about MediGain.
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Thank You,
Oct. Conference Sponsors
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1. VMG Health. VMG Health is recognized by leading healthcare providers as one of the most trusted valuation and transaction advisors in the United States. The company is sponsoring the keynote speaker, Uwe Reinhardt, PhD, who was ranked the 32nd most powerful person in healthcare by Modern Healthcare. Learn more about VMG.
2. Erdman (A Cogdell Spencer Company). As an integrated provider, Erdman offers service from facility conception to completion, including advance planning, development, design and construction. The company is the exclusive construction, design and build sponsor. Learn more about Erdman.
3. QSE Technologies. QSE Technologies is a premiere IT systems integrator serving the ambulatory healthcare industry for more than five years. The company will sponsor the cyber cafe. Read more about QSE.
4. Eveia Health Consulting & Management. Founded by I. Naya Kehayes, MPH, Eveia Health Consulting & Management is comprised of a team of seasoned professionals who are experts in reimbursement management, managed care contracting, and business management with a specialization in ASCs and surgical practices. The company will sponsor the badge lanyards. Learn more about Eveia.
6. National Surgical Care. National Surgical Care, a nationwide owner and operator of ambulatory surgical centers, focuses on addressing the needs and problems confronting surgery centers across the country. The company will co-sponsor the conference at-a-glance. Read more about NSC.
7. Serbin Surgery Center Billing. Serbin Surgery Center Billing was founded in 2001 to provide the answer to ASCs' complex and unique billing needs, providing expert and accurate coding, billing, collections, and managed care negotiations solely to the ASC industry. The company is the exclusive ASC billing sponsor and will sponsor the tote bags. Learn more about SCB.
8. Affiliated Credit Services. Affiliated Credit Services is a Colo.-based professional account receivables management firm which focuses on increasing businesses cash flow by providing superior collection services. The company will sponsor the water bottles. Read more about Affiliated Credit.
9. Symbion. Symbion is a leading provider of high-quality surgical services across many specialties. The company will co-sponsor the Friday night cocktail party. Read more about Symbion.
10. Facility Development and Management. Facility Development and Management provides consultative, developmental and managerial services for ASCs nationwide. The company will sponsor the room key cards. Read more about Facility Development and Management.
11. NovaMed. NovaMed acquires, develops and operates ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in partnership with physicians. The company will sponsor the Friday morning networking break. Learn more about NovaMed.
12. Woodrum/Ambulatory Systems Development. Woodrum reorganizes, performs financial turnarounds and develops new ASCs; its strength is in growing ASC businesses with innovative programs and adding new surgeons. The company continues to greatly support the conference. Read more about Woodrum.
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Editorial Contacts
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For more information about print and online stories, please contact editorial.
Stephanie Wasek
Co-Editor-in-Chief
(484) 866-1292
e-mail Stephanie
Rob Kurtz
Director of Communications
(410) 874-7681
e-mail Rob
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