Here are seven updates:
MedPAC proposes eliminating ASC payment updates next year
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission is proposing to eliminate payment updates for ambulatory surgery centers in 2017. MedPAC also recommended updating inpatient and outpatient hospital payments in 2017, projected at 1.75 percent.
Certain off-campus HOPDs subject to site-neutral payments
Provider-based, off-campus hospital outpatient departments will be subject to site-neutral payments starting Jan. 1, 2017. The payment regulation is a provision of the Balanced Budget Act of 2015 and will apply to provider-based, off-campus HOPDs established after Nov. 1, 2015.
Erlanger Health System to build $35M outpatient center
On Jan. 27, Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Erlanger Health System launched its public fundraising drive to build a new Children's Hospital outpatient center. Erlanger Health System has raised nearly a third of the money they will need to build the $35 million facility. So far, Erlanger raised $8 million in contributions and pledges.
Residents can work longer hours without compromising patient safety
A recent study found when residents worked longer than mandated hours, patients fared just as well as patients whose residents worked mandated hours. Researchers randomly assigned over 4,000 surgery residents to regulated hours or a more flexible schedule, allowing the residents to stay on a case after their shifts ended. In both resident groups, 9 percent of patients died or had serious complications following surgery.
Doctors United Surgery Center hosts Rep. Gene Green
Houston-based Doctors United Surgery Center hosted U.S. Congressman Gene Green (TX-29) earlier this year. Rep. Green is a ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. He met with the ASC to discuss major issues facing the industry.
Late Broward CEO hired private investigator, feared office was bugged
A private investigation is saying the late President and CEO of Broward Health, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., hired him last spring for an investigation into the public system that led to FBI involvement. The investigator, Wayne Black, detailed his conversations with Dr. El Sanadi in an email to Broward Health's general counsel. Dr. El Sanadi killed him on Jan. 24.
CDC: Zika virus transmitted sexually in Texas
The CDC confirmed a patient in Texas was infected with Zika virus after having sexual intercourse with someone who returned from a country where Zika is present. On Monday, the World Health Organization declared Zika virus and its link to birth defects an international public health emergency.
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