Regulations/Legal
Hospital-affiliated doctors drive highest costs by avoiding lower-cost sites
Editor's Note Patients treated by hospital-affiliated physicians are far less likely to receive specialty procedures in lower-cost settings, while private-equity–affiliated doctors are the most likely to steer patients toward these options, Ambulatory Surgery Center News August 12 reports. The findings come from a Mount Sinai study that examined physician affiliation,…
Largest US healthcare fraud case reveals billions in false Medicare, Medicaid claims and vast schemes nationwide
Editor's Note The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has conducted the largest healthcare fraud takedown in US history, charging 324 individuals, including 96 licensed medical professionals, in schemes totaling more than $14.6 billion, HealthCare Business News July 8 reports. The nationwide crackdown involved 50 federal districts and 12 state attorneys…
Mind the gap: Why Medicare pays ASCs less than HOPDs—and what that means
For decades, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have shown their ability to deliver high-quality surgical care at substantially lower cost than hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). ASCs achieve these savings through leaner operations, streamlined staffing models, and specialty-focused efficiencies, not by compromising safety or outcomes. Studies consistently highlight procedures performed in ASCs…
Immigration raids are driving patients back to telehealth and ERs
Editor's Note Providers are reviving pandemic-era telehealth strategies as stepped-up federal immigration raids deter some patients from visiting clinics, KFF Health News reports via HealthLeaders August 14. With families fearful of arrest following the Trump administration’s rollback of protections for “sensitive” areas such as hospitals and schools, physicians report sharp…
FDA announces Class 1 recall for Draeger breathing filters
Editor's Note The FDA has issued a Class 1 recall—the most severe category indicating risk of serious injury or death—for Draeger Filter SafeStar 90 Plus (MP05785), Filter SafeStar 55 Plus (MP05790), Filter SafeStar 60A Plus (MP05795), and Filter/HME TwinStar HEPA Plus (MP05801) breathing system filters, affecting all lot numbers. Draeger…
ASC drill success hinges on preparation, adaptability, clear roles
Editor's Note Running effective emergency drills in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) requires strategic resource use, role clarity, and consistent adaptation, Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society July 8 reports. Drawing on insights from Laura Schneider, senior clinical director at AMSURG, the piece outlines practical steps to ensure ASCs can respond effectively…
Soap recalled due to to bacterial contamination
Editor's Note DermaRite Industries has voluntarily recalled multiple lots of healthcare products nationwide due to contamination with Burkholderia cepacia, a bacterium that poses serious infection risks to immunocompromised individuals, according to an August 10 article in Newsweek. The recall affects four product lines commonly used in healthcare settings for handwashing…
Healthcare providers express cash flow concerns under new 340B rebate model
Editor's Note Healthcare providers could experience significant cash flow and operational changes under a new voluntary pilot program that fundamentally alters how the nation's second-largest drug payment program operates, according to an August 11 article in Modern Healthcare. As detailed in the article, The Health Resources and Services Administration announced…
Wisconsin expands nursing practice authority
Editor's Note Wisconsin nurses—including Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)—gain more autonomy under legislation signed August 8 by Governor Tony Evers, according to an August 8 report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Under the new legislation, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, CNRAs and certified nurse-midwives who meet certain qualifications may obtain…
FDA orders opioid label changes to highlight long-term risks
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring safety labeling changes for all opioid pain medications to better emphasize and explain the risks associated with long-term use, according to a July 31 announcement. These changes follow a May advisory committee meeting where the agency reviewed data on…
Free Daily News
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