ASCA News Digest

Published July 11, 2023

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ASCA HIGHLIGHTS

During ASCA’s next webinar, Successful Processes to Help Identify Appropriate Software, discover how to use a simple process to conduct your own software evaluation and ensure you select a solution that supports your ASC’s goals and objectives. Participants will learn from the experience of one organization that sought software solutions to manage a variety of programs, including variance reporting, policies and procedures, and survey activity.

This webinar is next Tuesday, July 18, at 1:00 pm ET, and is included in ASCA’s 2023 Webinar All-Access Pass.
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Data submission for the second quarter (Q2) of ASCA’s 2023 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey is open through July 31. This valuable online resource provides data you can use to improve clinical outcomes, staff indicators, billing performance and more at your facility.

If you haven’t already, subscribe today so you can submit your data and receive comparison data for the remaining three quarters of the year.

ASCA members save $150 on subscriptions to the 2023 survey. Purchase your subscription now.
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Candidates who plan to take the September Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC)® exam must submit their application by July 31. The CASC credential is a distinction earned by members of the ASC community who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge and skills required of an ASC administrator.
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How to Know When It Is Time to Consider a Strategic Partner

When it comes to strategic partnerships, surgery centers have many options to choose from, but timing is everything. Blake Peart is the Managing Director of Vertess, and he’s on the show this week to chat about when it is the right time to consider a strategic partner, key indicators that its time, potential benefits and advantages, and identifying the right partner. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode - new podcast episodes are released every Tuesday!
Register today for ASCA’s 2023 virtual courses. Each course is available to purchase on its own or as part of the 2023 Virtual Course Bundlewhich gives you three courses for the price of two!

Materials Management for ASCs is now available on demand, and the next course in the set, Best Practices in ASC Revenue Cycle Management, will broadcast live on August 21 and 22 and will be available on demand afterwards.

Learn more about this deal today!
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Is Video Laryngoscopy More Expensive than Other Options?

To get a clear financial picture of the investment video laryngoscopy requires, tune into this episode of the MedEd Learning Experience podcast. We’re joined by Dr. Felipe Urdaneta, an academic anesthesiologist at both UF Health and Gainesville VA Medical Center, to discuss the economic and clinical impact of video laryngoscopy. Start listening to learn more.
The CMS Office of the Actuary recently released updated projections for national health expenditures (NHE) and health insurance enrollment in the US over the next decade. The projections predict that NHE will grow at an average pace of 5.4 percent from 2022 to 2031, a rate that will outpace growth of gross domestic product (GDP), which is expected to grow at 4.6 percent over the same period. Read this Digital Debut to learn more.
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On June 27, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (D) signed HB 6669, An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs, into law. The measure prohibits hospitals and health systems from collecting a facility fee for outpatient healthcare services provided on the hospital campus that use a current procedural terminology evaluation and management code (CPT E/M) or assessment and management code (CPT A/M).
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INDUSTRY NEWS

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced actions to protect consumers from junk health plans, surprise medical bills, and excess costs that lead to medical debt. These actions build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s effort to eliminate hidden fees in every sector of the economy and lower health care costs for American seniors and families.
HHS News Release (07/07/23)
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Health systems that had to ration supplies during the pandemic are now facing disruptions of basic needs like syringes, surgical tourniquets, chest tubes and compounds for CT scans — and spending huge sums on workarounds. Drug shortages aren't the only supply problem plaguing U.S. health care as providers navigate an increasingly volatile environment characterized by acute spot shortages and manufacturing and logistics issues.
Axios (06/29/23) Adriel Bettelheim
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In this cohort study that analyzed 12 422 hospitalizations after major elective, noncardiac surgery from the 2016-2019 National Inpatient Sample database, cannabis use disorder was associated with an increased risk of composite perioperative complications and mortality. The outcome occurred more frequently in the group with cannabis use disorder (7.73 percent) than in the unexposed group (6.57 percent).
JAMA Surgery (07/05/23) Paul P. Potnuru; Srikar Jonna; George W. Williams II; et al.
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The New York State Department of Labor today announced that an update to the Labor Law restricting mandatory overtime for nurses is now in effect. Under the law, health care employers are prohibited from requiring nurses to work more than their regularly scheduled hours except under limited circumstances, including a health care disaster, a declaration of emergency, or when required for safe patient care such as during an unforeseen emergency or an ongoing medical or surgical procedure.
New York Department of Labor (07/06/23)
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New Florida legislation, Senate Bill 768 (2023), amending the Patient Self-Referral Act of 1992 (the Act), also known as the Florida "mini-Stark law," has been signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and is set to take effect on July 1, 2023. Codified at Section 456.053, Florida Statutes, the Act has drawn attention for imposing supervision requirements on physicians and physician groups that go beyond Medicare's requirements, and these new statutory changes should ease those additional burdens to some extent by removing the physician "direct supervision" language in one of the Act's statutory exceptions.
JDSupra (06/30/23) Nathaniel Gardner; Shannon Britton Hartsfield
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Much of the evidence for bundled payments has been drawn from models in the traditional Medicare program. Although private insurers are increasingly offering bundled payment programs, it is not known whether they are associated with changes in episode spending and quality.
JAMA Health Forum (06/25/23) Amanda Sutherland; Emily Boudreau; Andy Bowe; et al.
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News summaries © copyright 2023 Smithbucklin
About ASCA

Mission: The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) is the national membership association that represents ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and provides advocacy and resources to assist ASCs in delivering high-quality, cost-effective ambulatory surgery to all the patients they serve.

About Us: At ASCA, we are eager to help you become better acquainted with our nation's ASCs and the people who own and operate them. We are also eager to help you develop policies on ASC-related issues. If you have questions, please contact us. We'll put you in touch with the experts and, if you like, arrange for you to visit an ASC in your area.

Contact Us: Advertising inquiries should be addressed to Chris Schriever or Alex Yewdell at 202.337.1897 or at advertising@ascassociation.org.

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