Medicare intends to increase ASC reimbursement rates by 0.9% in 2014.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed a 0.9 percent increase in reimbursement to ambulatory surgery centers, beginning in 2014. CMS is accepting public comment until Sept. 6 and a final ruling will be published Nov. 1.
Georgia’s CON process may be subject to change.
Many Georgia physicians are calling for the loosening of the state’s certificate of need process. The issue is expected to be a high priority the on 2014 Atlanta legislative agenda. There is a possibility that Georgia will follow in the footsteps of South Carolina, which recently suspended its CON process.
Federal ACO waivers will affect ASCs.
Federal agencies issued two waivers to exempt accountable care organizations from prosecution for violating existing healthcare laws. Even ASCs that do not join an ACO will be affected. The waivers suggest surgery centers will be able to share some pricing information that was previously confidential. ASCs may also have protections against the market power of ACOs, should surgery center leaders choose not to join.
NCQA opens period of public comment for ICD-10 aligned measures.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance has opened a public comment period for the proposed changes to the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set that is designed to align with ICD-10. The comment period is from 9 a.m. EST July 2 to 9 a.m. Dec. 16.
Kaiser Permanente opens Maryland surgery center.
Kaiser Permanente has opened an ambulatory surgery center in Largo, Md., which is part of a 233,000-square-foot multispecialty clinic. Half of the clinic is open now and the entire facility is expected to be open in 2014.
LASIK Vision Institute opens Nashville surgery center.
LASIK Vision Institute has opened its Nashville LASIK Eye Surgery Center in Brentwood, Tenn.
Amerinet releases virtual facility tool.
St. Louis-based healthcare solutions company Amerinet has released a virtual facility tool. The web-based tool displays healthcare supplier products and services in an interactive, three-dimensional virtual provider environment.
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