A new report from the American Medical Association lists ophthalmology and gastroenterology in the top five largest drops in CMS physician spending during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

CMS has approved ASCs as a site of service for transcervical uterine fibroid ablation — a minimally invasive procedure for symptomatic uterine fibroids that can be performed with the Sonata System developed by women's healthcare company Gynesonics.

ASCs play an important role in the value-based care environment and more are considering bundled payments as part of their strategy.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, an independent congressional agency advising Congress on Medicare-related issues, recommended several changes for ASCs next year in its annual report to Congress, released March 15.

WalletHub released its "2021's States with the Most and Least Medicaid Coverage" list March 15, analyzing Medicaid coverage and spending across the U.S.

When a patient checks in to see a new healthcare provider, there is the inevitable package of new patient paperwork. Along with the patient health history forms and HIPPA disclosures, there may also be a financial policy.

Physician-owned ASCs and practices reported revenue declines in 2020 and lower Medicare spending when elective procedures were canceled or postponed during the pandemic. Revenue declines continued after elected procedures resumed at facilities across the U.S.

Medicare reimbursement for the 10 highest-volume procedures performed in ASCs is projected to increase 2.8 percent this year, according to a report from VMG Health.

Four recent stories about physicians:

Nearly all ASCs suffered a loss when elective surgeries paused in the spring of 2020. ASCs with highly functioning business operations have not only overcome those losses, but will benefit from a rebounding and growing market. ASCs with orthopedics have the advantage of offering one of the most financially desirable specialties.

A federal grand jury in Kentucky charged two surgeons this week with illegal opioid distribution, healthcare fraud and healthcare fraud conspiracy.

CMS and commercial payers are adopting new policies that push providers and patients out of the hospital and into surgery centers, The National Law Review reported Feb. 24.

Four updates on CMS:

The bipartisan No Surprises Act (“the Act”) was enacted on December 27, 2020. The Act provides comprehensive patient protection against surprise medical bills that occur when a patient receives a bill for the difference between an out-of-network provider’s charge and the amount paid by the patient’s insurance company, less patient cost sharing amounts.

President Joe Biden issued an executive order to reopen the ACA marketplace on Feb. 15 for expanded enrollment during the pandemic to give more Americans access to health insurance.

The U.S. has more than 900 health insurance companies that provide medical coverage.

While some ASC administrators have seen payers become more accepting of outpatient surgeries and drive cases to the ASC, others report continued challenges in contract negotiations.

ASCs began 2020 tracking ahead of 2019 in terms of overall case volume, based on procedure claims data from Definitive Healthcare.

St. Louis-based National Medical Billing Services, a revenue cycle management company, received an investment from private equity firm Aquiline Capital Partners.

President Joe Biden issued an executive order to open a special enrollment period for the health insurance marketplace from Feb. 15 to May 15.