Tag: Reimbursement

AHA study: HOPD Medicare patients are poorer, sicker, more rural than those seen in physician offices

Editor's Note Medicare patients treated in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) present with greater socioeconomic and clinical complexity than peers seen in independent physician offices, including higher prior emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient use. According to an American Hospital Association (AHA) study conducted by KNG Health Consulting and published on…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
September 4, 2025
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Rural hospitals face crisis under OBBBA as experts call for cohesive reform

JAMA (healthcare publication) Network logo

Editor's Note The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is set to reshape rural healthcare in ways that could destabilize already fragile systems. According to a September 3 JAMA Network article, the law is set to reduce federal Medicaid spending by more than $900 billion over 10 years, cuts that…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
September 4, 2025
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CMS plan to phase out inpatient only list sparks debate over safety for vulnerable patients

Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is moving to eliminate its Inpatient Only (IPO) List over the next 3 years, a decision that could permanently shift more surgical procedures from hospitals to outpatient settings. According to an August 24 article from Fierce Healthcare, the policy promises…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
September 2, 2025
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Survey: 2025 business manager profile

Data and surveys

Editor's Note: This page is a companion page to the main article, "Survey: Staffing problems increase as surgical volume continues to rise."   Most OR leaders (81%) report having a business manager. Historically, fewer than half had this position (42% in 2024, 37% in 2023, and 43% in 2022). The…

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By: Cynthia Saver
September 1, 2025
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CMS’s plan to phase out inpatient-only list could bolster rural ASCs

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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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 26, 2025
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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,…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 20, 2025
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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…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 19, 2025
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5 costly mistakes to avoid when building an ASC

Editor's Note Poor planning and rushed decisions derail too many ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) before they open their doors. In a recent blog post, ASC consultant Emily Spooner outlined the top five errors commonly made during ASC development, offering targeted guidance on how to avoid them. According to the post,…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 12, 2025
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Translating MIPS Value Pathways into perioperative practice—What OR leaders need to know

In July 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed sweeping changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2026. Among the most impactful updates is the launch of the Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM)—a mandatory value-based payment program focused on heart failure and low back pain.…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 5, 2025
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CMS’s newly finalized TEAM payment model holds hospitals accountable for entire surgical episodes

Editor's Note As part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) newly issued 2026 Final Rule, the Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) will hold hospitals and health systems accountable for the entire episode of care for major surgeries, from admission through 30 days post-discharge. HIT Consultant reported the…

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By: Matt Danford
August 4, 2025
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