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The HHS-OIG recently released Advisory Opinion No. 26-04, which provides additional guidance regarding physician transfers of ownership interests in a Medicare-certified ambulatory surgical center and the applicability of the safe harbor regulations for single-specialty and multi-specialty set forth in 42 C.F.R. § 1001.952(r)(2) and (r)(3). Specifically, the OIG concluded that the proposed arrangement to be undertaken by the requesting entity and its sole physician shareholder would generate — if the requisite intent were present — prohibited remuneration under the Antikickback Statute.
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National Law Review (03/24/26) Stephen M. Fatum; Thomas N. Hutchinson
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ASCA’s 2026 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey has been completely redesigned to deliver a more modern, streamlined experience for your facility. New for this year, the survey has a user-friendly design that makes participation easier than ever; a personalized experience so you only see questions relevant to your center; expanded and more detailed questions that provide deeper insights; and new specialty tracks for pediatrics, cardiovascular and endoscopy. Access to this survey is included in ASCA membership. The data submission period for the first quarter opens in April— subscribe today! |
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ASCA Content (03/31/26)
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We analyzed millions of cases across 12 ASC specialties to bring you 10 key benchmarking metrics, including: OR utilization, pre-authorization rates, insurance verification rate, case cancellation rate & reasons, collections, days to bill, denial rate, net revenue per case, & case volume. Stop guessing, get the data you need to benchmark your ASC. Read the full report here for free
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In this cluster randomized crossover trial of continuous compared with intermittent vital sign monitoring, continuous monitoring reduced the duration of desaturation in patients recovering from noncardiac surgery on general hospital wards. Reducing the duration of vital sign abnormalities may decrease the risk of more serious complications, and robust patient-centric outcomes trials seem warranted.
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JAMA Network Open (03/26/26) Ashish K. Khanna; Nathaniel Sean O’Connell; Amit K. Saha; et al.
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ASC Insights: Real Stories, Real Results, Real Impact.Through in-depth conversations with ASC medical directors, administrators, and clinical leaders, we're documenting real-world experiences with technology implementation, operational innovation, and strategic decision-making. These aren't marketing stories—they're peer-to-peer insights from leaders who've faced the same challenges you're navigating today.Listen now.
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In just six weeks, more than a thousand ASC professionals nationwide will come together at the ASCA + SAMBA Conference & Expo, taking place May 13–16 in Washington, DC. For the first time ever, ASCA has joined forces with SAMBA (Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia) to provide a rich, interdisciplinary learning experience for the entire ASC community. Online registration for the conference closes April 24. Don’t miss your chance to access high-impact education, meaningful networking opportunities and the latest innovations. Check out the schedule and register today! |
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ASCA Content (03/31/26)
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Drive smarter outpatient expansion with a free, tailored market overview from Siemens Healthineers. Explore local demand trends, patient demographics, care volumes, payor mix, and more to shape where and how you grow. Whether planning a new ASC, imaging center, or service line expansion, these data-driven insights help you make confident decisions. Request your customized report today!
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the members of the Healthcare Advisory Committee, a new federal advisory body comprised of leaders from across the healthcare system to provide expert advice on improving, strengthening and modernizing U.S. healthcare. The Committee will advise HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz on ways to improve how care is financed and delivered across Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplace.
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CMS Press Release (03/26/26)
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Learn how one ASC reduced aged AR by 33% and boosted cash per case by 6% in six months through focused revenue integrity, analytics, and hands-on collaboration. The results highlight what’s possible when strategy and execution align.Read more.
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The ASC Quality Collaboration (ASCQC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing patient safety and quality of care delivery in ASCs, is soliciting proposals from freelance marketing consultants to provide part-time, contract-based marketing and outreach support. The consultant will focus on directly engaging with commercial payers and business coalitions to inform them about the ASC Safety & Quality Assessment. This free, voluntary annual survey enables ASCs to demonstrate a commitment to safety and quality by benchmarking best practices to identify opportunities for improvement. The ideal candidate will have experience in healthcare marketing or communications, specifically with payers, and be available to begin work immediately. |
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ASCA Content (03/31/26)
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Procision's AI Powered Patient CommunicationsTraditional patient communication is broken—calls go unanswered, messages get missed, and staff are stretched thin. Discover how AI is closing the gap with smarter, more personal outreach that patients actually respond to.Click here for the full article and more details.
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Polyethylene liners dropped onto operating room floors rapidly acquire bacterial contamination, including clinically important pathogens. In a randomized bench study, sterile chlorhexidine–alcohol and povidone-iodine immersion significantly reduced bioburden compared with ethanol or no intervention.
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Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (03/26/26) Bobby Glenn Warren; Samuel Rosas; Eduardo Villoch; et al.
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Nominate that special person in your surgery center for the ASC Focus 10 Under 40 Honors program, which recognizes rising stars who are making waves in their surgery centers and shaping the ASC community. If you know a young leader driving real change and innovation, this is your chance to spotlight their impact. Submit your nomination today! |
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ASCA Content (03/31/26)
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What if your health plan offered free surgery, but only by surgeons on its approved list? That’s the incentive behind a new program the North Carolina State Health Plan is rolling out for more than 700,000 teachers, state workers and their families.
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Charlotte Ledger (03/09/26) Michelle Crouch
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Representatives Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and John Larson (D-CT) introduced the Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026 on March 25. ASCA supports this bill, which would make essential changes to the Medicare ambulatory surgical center payment system. If passed, the act would help stabilize ASC reimbursements by permanently instituting the same inflationary factor used to update hospital payment rates. The legislation also would remove a budget-neutrality adjustment that increasingly depresses ASC rates. Read this Digital Debut to learn more. |
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ASCA Content (03/31/26)
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Watkins Mill Ambulatory Surgery Center in Gaithersburg, Md has officially opened, bringing a new outpatient care center to the local community. Under the leadership of Founding President Dr. Christopher Raffo and Richard Robinson, CEO of MedVanta, and a partnership with nine founding surgeons, this facility will expand access to state-of-the-art orthopaedic care in the DMV region.
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Watkins Mill Surgery Center News Release (03/09/26)
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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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