Editor's Note The proposal from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to eliminate the Medicare Inpatient Only (IPO) list over 3 years could significantly expand opportunities for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), with rural facilities among those positioned to benefit most, Ambulatory Surgery Center News August 12 reports. The…

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Editor's Note The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) released its v44 Standards, introducing new guidance designed to strengthen patient-focused care, streamline compliance, and align with evolving state regulations, an August 18 AAAHC announcement reports. As detailed in the news release, the v44 Standards, effective December 16, 2025, were…

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By 2022, orthopedic procedures performed in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) were already outpacing expectations. For years, total hip and knee replacements were considered too complex for same-day surgery. Yet, total joints replacement volumes jumped nearly 200% between 2020 and 2022—outpatient total knee arthroplasty surged nearly 194%, while total hip arthroplasty…

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Editor's Note Surgical episodes for Medicare Advantage (MA) patients cost less and used fewer resources than those for traditional Medicare (TM) beneficiaries, according to a JAMA Health Forum study published August 1. Researchers analyzed 1.18 million procedures performed on 1.11 million beneficiaries and found 30-day episode costs were 3.1% lower…

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Running an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is not for the faint of heart. ASC leaders are navigating tight margins, stricter-than-ever quality reporting, lean staffing resources, payer squeeze, and a relentless push to be profitable without proper support. And yet, the ASC market is booming. The number of Medicare-certified ASCs has…

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Editor's Note As we begin National Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Month, we’ve been reflecting on all OR Manager has to offer this critical subset of our audience—and all that is yet to come.   First, why celebrate ASCs, and how to get involved? According to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association…

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Editor's Note A “quiet transformation” in how Medicare pays doctors could reduce payments for specialty care, including rates for billing codes associated with surgery, diagnostic imaging, outpatient care, pain management, and orthopedics, Modern Healthcare July 22 reports. According to the article, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2026…

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Editor's Note This fall, the OR Manager Conference will bring outpatient and postanesthesia care innovation to the forefront with its dual spotlight on poster presentations and leadership awards. Both initiatives emphasize the evolving needs and accomplishments of perioperative teams in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and postanesthesia care units (PACUs), offering…

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Takeaways • Different types of ASC leadership structures can be adapted to meet organizational needs. • Regulations, accreditation standards, size, and ownership types are examples of factors influencing the leadership structure. • Ongoing success of the ASC leadership team depends on factors such as governing body diversity and strategic planning.…

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Editor's Note Federal regulators and major insurers are independently moving to ease long-standing burdens on ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), potentially reshaping the regulatory and administrative landscape in which perioperative leaders operate. According to Ambulatory Surgery Center News June 23, ASC stakeholders are actively engaging with the new Anticompetitive Regulations Task…

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