Doctors United Surgery Center in Houston hosted a United States Congressman earlier this year, according to an ASCA report.
Here are five key notes about the visit:
1. Gene Green (TX-29) visited the surgery center. Rep. Green is a ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee.
2. During the meeting, Rep. Green met with the ASC's staff to discuss key issues facing the industry. The ASC's OR manager, Judy Faber, and Administrator Eileen Berkowitz sat down with Rep. Green along with United Surgical Partners International Vice President of Government Affairs Milla Jones.
3. The group specifically discussed the need for ASC payment update alignment with the hospital outpatient department updates as well as the Electronic Health Fairness Act of 2015, which exempts patient encounters performed at ASCs from counting toward meaningful use of EHR until there is a certified EHR technology for ASCs.
4. Rep. Green also toured the facility as part of the educational visit. The surgery center is a USPI center with 94 percent patient satisfaction. Keith Schauder, MD, is the medical director.
5. ASCA has resources to assist facilities with Congress member tours. For assistance in facility tours, contact Danielle Kaster at dkaster@ascassociation.org or 703-345-0260.