Here are seven updates for ambulatory surgery center leaders.
Possible pay cut for physicians through 2025
The House passed a two-year budget deal, which includes a future Medicare pay cut for physicians. The agreement implements an annual 2 percent sequestration cut for Medicare providers through 2025. The cut was previously set to expire in the fiscal year 2024. The Senate has to vote by Nov. 3 to meet the debt ceiling deadline.
CMS proposes revisions to discharge planning requirements for hospitals
If the revisions are approved, hospitals, including long-term care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities, critical access hospitals and home health agencies, would have to meet the requirements to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Surgical Care Affiliates debuts new website amid continual growth
Early last week, Surgical Care Affiliates launched a new website with information about the company's values, mission and vision as well as current partnerships and news. SCA currently operates 190 surgical facilities and over 7,500 physicians who perform around 750,000 procedures in SCA facilities each year.
Healthcare organizations pushing mandatory flu vaccinations
The CDC launched its Healthy People 2020 campaign. Part of the initiative entails achieving a 90 percent flu vaccination rate among healthcare personnel by 2020.
TRIA Orthopaedic Center, HealthPartners collaborate on new orthopedic surgery center
TRIA Orthopaedic Center, in collaboration with HealthPartners, is constructing a new orthopedic clinic and surgery center in Woodbury, Minn. The 75,000-square-foot facility is projected to cost $48 million.
Health exchange spurs voters' rights issues
The government is offering voter registration for those Americans who enroll in health plans through the online federal exchange. Several voting rights groups claim the registration violates federal law. The group says while state-based changes comply with the "motor law," which orders states to give those applying for a driver's license or public assistance the opportunity to register to vote, the federal exchange does not comply with the law.
CMS issues final rule for ACO fraud
On Thursday, CMS issued a final rule about accountable care organization fraud. The rule finalizes waivers of the physician self-referral law known as Stark law, the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the civil monetary penalty for beneficiary inducements. The interim final rule has been in place since Nov. 2011. The final rule outlines five waivers — ACO pre-participation waiver, ACO participation waiver, shared savings distribution waiver, compliance with the physician self-referral waiver and waiver for patient incentives.
More healthcare news:
CMS proposes revisions to discharge planning requirements for hospitals — 5 highlights
81% of voters disapprove of Connecticut's 6% tax on ASCs: 5 things to know
Average annual salaries of clinical & office staff: 9 notes