June
• Deadline for submitting comments concerning the inpatient prospective payment rule of the new Medicare quality reporting program. Comments can be submitted to CMS by June 25.
• The Supreme Court will announce its decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
• Deadline for comments on HHS’ National Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in ASCs. Comments can be submitted by June 25.
• HHS will release its final rule modifying security and breach notifications under HIPAA.
July
• CMS will release its 2013 proposed rule for ASCs.
• ASCA and the CDC will meet concerning single use vials in ASCs.
August/September
• Medicare will release details concerning how ASCs will report their quality data.
October
• Medicare will begin its ASC Quality Reporting Program. All ASCs must start reporting their quality data to CMS on October 1.
November
• CMS will release its 2013 final rule for ASCs.
• Federal elections will be held on November 6. ASC congressional allies such as Representatives Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and David Schweikert (R-AZ) have tough races this year.
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