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Renew your ASCA membership online today! With your membership comes a variety of benefits that help you run your ASC more efficiently, provide quality patient care and stay up to date on industry trends and regulations. Renew during the month of September and lock in a discounted rate for 2024.See all the ways you can put your ASCA benefits to good use. Not yet a member? Join ASCA today.
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Attend the Life Safety Code for ASCs virtual course to ensure your facility is meeting all CMS and NFPA requirements for ASCs. Get the guidance you need to design and implement long-term, low-stress solutions that can help your ASC remain in continuous compliance with CMS’ physical environment mandates. This course will stream live on Monday, October 23, and Tuesday, October 24, and will be available on demand afterwards. The program is available to purchase on its own or as part of the 2023 Virtual Course Bundle— a package that gives you three courses for the price of two!Learn more about the course in this ASC Focus article. |
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Will switching to electronic charting make financial sense?Try the ASC EMR calculator to determine your ROI over three years. A research firm developed this tool for ASCs using data analysis from 9 surgery centers currently using an EMR. The goal was to understand the value of switching and help other centers quantify the impact of an EMR for their center. Calculate your ROI here.
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The HIPAA Workbook for ASCs is the ideal resource for designing, evaluating and updating your ASC’s compliance program. This electronic workbook includes a comprehensive review of HIPAA requirements, and easy-to-use and customizable forms and worksheets. Get your copy today! |
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Purchase reports from ASCA’s 2023 Salary & Benefits Survey today. This survey allows ASCs to compare their compensation packages to similar ASCs, negotiate a raise or determine salary and benefits for a new position. ASCs can benchmark their information with other ASCs from the same region, with a similar number of employees, of the same specialty, with a similar number of patient encounters and more. ASCA members pay $299 for the results and nonmembers pay $399. Participants who completed at least 40 percent of the survey can access their reports for free. Purchase or access your report today. |
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Last month, ASCA members celebrated National ASC Month by hosting their members of Congress and their staff for facility tours during the August congressional recess. Facility tours aim to educate members of Congress, other lawmakers and their staff about the essential role surgery centers play in healthcare and their community. The tours also educate attendees about the issues currently impeding the ability of ASCs to provide care and the provisions of the Outpatient Surgery Quality and Access Act of 2023 that would resolve these difficulties. Read this Digital Debut for a review of the month. |
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On September 11, ASCA submitted formal comments in response to Medicare’s 2024 proposed payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD). ASCA commented on ongoing payment issues such as the need for alignment of inflation update factors between ASCs and hospitals, the removal of secondary adjustments that depress ASC reimbursement rates and issues with Medicare’s process for moving procedures to the ASC Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL).
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The U.S. House was set to vote on a proposal aimed at making it easier for people to know their healthcare costs upfront on Monday evening, but the proposal was pulled from the calendar late Monday afternoon. It's unclear if or when the proposal will be scheduled again for a vote.
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WSOCTV.com (NC) (09/19/23) Samantha Manning
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A continuing key priority of the Biden-Harris Administration is lowering prescription drug costs for seniors and families. Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the list of 34 prescription drugs for which Part B beneficiary coinsurances may be lower between October 1 – December 31, 2023.
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CMS Press Release (09/13/23)
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From 2017 to 2022, prices for medical services commonly provided in outpatient settings were significantly higher when delivered in a hospital outpatient department, and they grew rapidly over the six years. By comparison, prices for the same services were significantly lower when delivered in an ambulatory surgery center or a physician's office, and price growth over time was relatively modest.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (09/05/23)
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Worldwide, one in 10 hospitalized patients experience harm, such as medication errors, healthcare-associated infections or unsafe surgical procedures, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). World Patient Safety Day, introduced by the WHO in 2019, represents a global call for solidarity and concerted action by all countries and international partners to improve patient safety and reduce these harms.
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Joint Commission Press Release (09/14/23)
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued warning letters to eight companies for manufacturing or marketing unapproved ophthalmic drug products in violation of federal law. These warning letters are part of the agency's ongoing effort to protect Americans from potentially harmful ophthalmic products.
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FDA News Release (09/12/23)
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There are a lot of reasons why a young person might delay a preventive screening, with a new survey looking at colorectal cancer (CRC) screening showing that patient education and navigation are particularly burdensome. The Harris Poll conducted on behalf of CRC screening provider Exact Sciences also showed that stigma, fear, and a lack of time in their personal lives keep 45-year-olds from completing a preventive screening.
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Patient EngagementHIT (08/22/23) Sara Heath
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About ASCAMission: 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. Follow ASCA on
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