From: Scott Becker <becker@beckersasc.com>
Subject: [Becker's ASC E-Weekly] 3 Things Wrong With the AMA's Support of the President's Healthcare Reform Plan | Average ASC Facility Expenses By Region | Is it Legal to Give Cash Gifts to Physicians |
Reply: becker@beckersasc.com
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ASCOA

October 29, 2009
Latest News & Analysis

1. 3 Things Wrong With the AMA's Support of the President's Healthcare Reform Plan, by Scott Becker, JD, CPA. Click Here

2. Average ASC Facility Expenses By Region. Click Here

3. Q: We want to give $500 gift cards to physicians on our staff in lieu of a Christmas gift. Is this legal?

Scott Becker, JD, CPA: We would heavily discourage doing so. Under the Stark Act, there is a de minimas gift exception. A $500 cash gift would not meet this exception. This type of gift would also not meet any safe harbor under the Anti-Kickback Statute. While the Stark Act doesn't directly apply to ASCs, it is very helpful for guidance as to what types of practices the OIG would find acceptable under the Anti-Kickback Statute. In short, we would heavily discourage the providing of cash gifts to referring physicians.

4. Grow Your Business: Advertise in the Becker's ASC Review -- Let us help you reach your target audience in the most focused and intelligent way available. To make great connections with the most important and successful people in the ASC business, please e-mail Jessica Cole, president and chief development officer of ASC Communications, at jessica@beckersasc.com or Kimberly Hursley, account manager, at kimberly@beckersasc.com. You can also call them at (800) 417-2035.
 
5. House Judiciary Committee Passes Bill Limiting Insurer Antitrust Exemptions. Click Here

6. 4 Ways Eliminating Your Inventory Holding Costs Will Help Manage Your Supplies More Efficiently and Reduce Costs, by Sherrye Crone of Solus Management Services. Click Here

7. Regent Surgical Health Opens New Florida Surgery Center. Click Here

8. New Surgery Center Opens in Alabama. Click Here

9. University of Nebraska to Build Eye, Outpatient Surgery Center. Click Here


Learn More About Our Featured E-Weekly Advertisers: ASCOA, PENTAX, VMG Health and SourceMedical.
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10 Great Companies to Know

If you'd like more information about or an introduction to any of these companies, please e-mail Scott Becker.

Health Inventures. Health Inventures provides strategic and business planning, joint venture formation, facility development and operations management for ASCs. Learn more about Health Inventures.

B. Braun. For 150 years, B. Braun has developed a rich heritage of knowledge and expertise for delivering innovative healthcare products, medical devices and programs designed to improve both patient and health-professional safety. Learn more about B. Braun.

Blue Chip Surgical Center Partners. Founded by ASC veteran Jeff Leland, Blue Chip holds an equity stake in its projects and also serves as a managing partner, with several highly profitable, physician-led centers in operation around the country and a number of projects in the works. Learn more about Blue Chip.

ASCOA. Since 1984, ASCOA's founders have helped physician-owners start and operate successful facilities; ASCOA currently owns and manages 34 facilities across the country with 14 others in development. Learn more about ASCOA.

PENTAX Medical Company. PENTAX offers detection and efficiency solutions for video and fiber endoscopy equipment and computer technology/imaging products for diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications in the GI, ENT and pulmonary fields. Learn more about PENTAX.

VMG Health. VMG Health is recognized by leading healthcare providers as one of the most trusted valuation and transaction advisors in the United States. Learn more about VMG.

SourceMedical. SourceMedical is the leading provider of outpatient information solutions and services, collectively serving ASCs and surgical hospitals. Learn more about SourceMedical.

Surgical Notes. Surgical Notes is a nationwide provider of medical transcription, coding and other related value-added information technology services for ASCs. Read more about Surgical Notes.

Amerinet. As a leading national group purchasing organization, Amerinet strategically partners with healthcare providers to reduce costs and improve quality through its Total Spend Management solutions and operational performance improvement programs, tools and services. Learn more about Amerinet.

CTQ Solutions. CTQ Solutions is a leading provider of healthcare satisfaction and benchmarking services, helping support ASC patient satisfaction targeting quality and process improvement initiatives, improving patient loyalty and meeting all industry accreditation requirements. Learn more about CTQ Solutions.


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Upcoming ASC Events
The 8th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management Driven ASC Conference
June 10-12, 2010
Chicago 

Hospitals and Health Systems Conference: Improving Profitability and Business and Legal Issues
April 13-14
Chicago

17th Annual Improving the Profitability and Business and Legal Issues ASC Conference
October 20-22, 2010
Chicago

For a complete list of upcoming events, click here
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Learn more about VMG Health.
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