Editor's Note As the Affordable Care Act continues to pass more costs to patients through higher deductibles and premiums, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are positioning themselves as cost-effective and convenient alternatives to traditional hospitals, the September 17 Central Valley Business Journal reports. ASCs provide efficient, high-quality procedures, and discharge home…

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Editor's Note Healthcare consultant Woodrow Moore has organized a new group to represent Hawaii’s ambulatory surgery centers, the Pacific Business News reports. The Hawaii ASC Association held its inaugural meeting in June, and a governing board and officers will be selected this month. “Hawaii’s ASCs are organizing for local advocacy,…

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Editor's Note The gap in Medicare reimbursement rates between ASCs and hospital outpatient departments continues to grow, the Wisconsin Health News reports. Reimbursement rates for hospital outpatient departments are updated using the hospital market basket, but rates for ASCs are updated with the consumer price index. The result is that…

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Editor's Note Seniors are much more likely than younger patients to be admitted to the hospital after ambulatory surgery, this study finds. Of more than 53,000 patients analyzed, those aged 65 and older were 54% more likely to be admitted to the hospital within 30 days of ambulatory surgery than…

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Editor's Note Wednesday, August 19, is National ASC Day, and ambulatory surgery centers across the country will be celebrating by hosting elected officials, key policymakers, the press, and members of the public in their centers. Administrators, nurses, physicians, and policymakers gain valuable experience learning about one another, which will ultimately…

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Editor's Note After the Florida Senate blocked a bill this year to let patients stay overnight at ASCs, the House likely will renew the debate in 2016, Health News Florida reports. The issue has been part of a collection of proposals that House Republican leaders say would provide more choices…

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Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) that have yet to register and report compliance with quality measures can expect a decrease of 0.9% in 2016 from this year’s Medicare reimbursement rates. Those in compliance, however, may see an increase of approximately 1.1%, depending on specialties. As in the past, the Centers for…

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Although ambulatory surgery center (ASC) staff show a slightly greater inclination to change jobs than they did in 2014, staffing remains relatively stable in a market with continued recruitment challenges and slower volume increases, according to the 25th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. Nearly one-fourth (24%) of respondents reported an…

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As part of the 25th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey, nearly one-fourth of respondents from ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) reported an increase in the turnover rate for RNs in the past 12 months, and many said they have at least one open position. In the comments section of the survey,…

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Editor's Note The US Senate on August 5 passed the Electronic Health Fairness Act of 2015 (S 1347), which was heavily promoted by the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association. The legislation protects physicians practicing in ASCs from Medicare meaningful use penalties until a certified electronic health record technology is available for…

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