Here are seven updates:
Appeals court upholds Virginia's much-debated CON law
A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond upheld Virginia's certificate of need program. The program requires state medical providers to prove the proposed construction and major equipment purchases are necessary for the region. While Colon Health Centers of America and Progressive Radiology challenged the CON law, U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton ruled against them.
Large employers may be excluding outpatient surgeries in insurance plans
In 2015, companies with low-wage workers attempted to claim coverage without inpatient benefits met ACA guidelines, but regulators disagreed. This decision caused many employers to attempt a new cost-cutting measure: eliminating outpatient surgery coverage. The government does not require large employers to offer a list of "essential health benefits." Rather, large employers are mandated to offer minimum value as determined by an online calculator and regulatory guidance, or face a penalty. For more on the story, click here.
Quint Studer to resign from Studer Group
Quint Studer, founder of Studer Group, is opting to leave his healthcare consulting company to focus on a series of community projects. Mr. Studer founded Pensacola, Fla.-based Studer Group in 2000. He said he will step down on March 31 to pursue volunteer work.
AHIP: We want UnitedHealth and Aetna back
America's Health Insurance Plans CEO Marilyn Tavenner said AHIP's main goal is having UnitedHealth and Aetna rejoin AHIP. She went on to say, "From my perspective, the door is open and we want them back, and both of them know that." UnitedHealth left AHIP in June 2015 and Aetna left earlier this year.
OMNI Surgery Center to officially open in NY
This week, OMNI Surgery Center is officially opening in South Utica, N.Y. The ASC will center on interventional pain management and will offer minimally invasive procedures to alleviate chronic low back pain and migraines.
NAPA partners with Riverside Medical Center & ASC
North American Partners in Anesthesia partnered with Riverside Medical Centers and Riverside Ambulatory Center, its affiliated ASC in Kankakee, Ill. Through the partnership, NAPA will be the exclusive provider of anesthesia services at Riverside Medical Center and Riverside ASC. Oleg Korolev, MD, will lead the onsite anesthesia team.
Island Eye Surgicenter breaks ground on new facility
Carle Place, N.Y.-based Island Eye Surgicenter broke ground on a new facility on a 3.5-acre site in Westbury, N.Y. The 27,000-square-foot center will house six operating rooms and 15 patient areas. The center will also have a waiting room, administrative office, a 12-bed recovery room, a staff lounge and patio.
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