Here are seven news updates for ambulatory surgery center leaders to know for May 8, 2014.
New Hampshire considers taxing ASCs.
After a ruling declared New Hampshire's Medicaid Enhancement Tax — a state tax on hospitals — unconstitutional, the state's House reviewed three amendments to the tax, one of which includes the taxation of ambulatory surgery centers. The proposed amendment, from republican Rep. David Hess, would broaden the tax on hospitals to include ASCs and ambulance services but would lower the tax rate by 10 percent. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
Study reveals procedure times 25% quicker in ASCs than hospitals.
ASC procedures take an average of 31.8 fewer minutes than hospital procedures, with a 25 percent average time reduction between the surgery locations. Outcomes in hospitals and surgery centers were comparable, but surgical costs were between $400 and $1,000 lower for ASC cases. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
CMS cancels July ICD-10 testing.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cancelled the ICD-10 testing scheduled for July 21 to 25 due to the implementation delay. Additional opportunities for end-to-end testing will be available in 2015, according to the agency.
Massachusetts abandons flawed exchange site.
Massachusetts decided to abandon its current health insurance exchange website due to numerous flaws. State officials have said they plan to replace the flawed exchange site with new, off-the-shelf enrollment software, with HealthCare.gov as a backup option in case the switch to the replacement software takes too long. Read the full report on Becker's Hospital Review.
Olympus launches new capsule endoscopy system.
Olympus commercially launched its ENDOCAPSULE 10 System for small capsule endoscopy procedures. The new system includes a 160 degree field of view, 12-hour battery life, a 3-D tracking function and a recording unit that can be worn over clothing.
Regent Surgical Health honors Endosurgical Center business office manager.
Regent Surgical Health awarded Linda Reid, business office manager of Robert Wood Johnson Endosurgical Center, the BOM of the Year Award at its 2014 Business Office Manager's Conference.
Park Nicollet to convert clinic to surgery, endoscopy center.
Park Nicollet Health Services plans to spend $48 million on a new outpatient center next to its existing clinic in Maple Grove, Minn. The clinic will be converted to a surgery and endoscopy center. The surgery center is expected to open in 2016.
More Articles on ASC Issues:
ASCs vs. HOPDs: 4 Unexpected Unintentional Consequences of Rate Equalization
Reimbursement Pressure: Will Gastroenterologists Stop Accepting Medicare & Medicaid Patients?
HCA, SCA, Regent & More – 6 Recent Key Notes on ASC Companies
New Hampshire considers taxing ASCs.
After a ruling declared New Hampshire's Medicaid Enhancement Tax — a state tax on hospitals — unconstitutional, the state's House reviewed three amendments to the tax, one of which includes the taxation of ambulatory surgery centers. The proposed amendment, from republican Rep. David Hess, would broaden the tax on hospitals to include ASCs and ambulance services but would lower the tax rate by 10 percent. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
Study reveals procedure times 25% quicker in ASCs than hospitals.
ASC procedures take an average of 31.8 fewer minutes than hospital procedures, with a 25 percent average time reduction between the surgery locations. Outcomes in hospitals and surgery centers were comparable, but surgical costs were between $400 and $1,000 lower for ASC cases. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
CMS cancels July ICD-10 testing.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cancelled the ICD-10 testing scheduled for July 21 to 25 due to the implementation delay. Additional opportunities for end-to-end testing will be available in 2015, according to the agency.
Massachusetts abandons flawed exchange site.
Massachusetts decided to abandon its current health insurance exchange website due to numerous flaws. State officials have said they plan to replace the flawed exchange site with new, off-the-shelf enrollment software, with HealthCare.gov as a backup option in case the switch to the replacement software takes too long. Read the full report on Becker's Hospital Review.
Olympus launches new capsule endoscopy system.
Olympus commercially launched its ENDOCAPSULE 10 System for small capsule endoscopy procedures. The new system includes a 160 degree field of view, 12-hour battery life, a 3-D tracking function and a recording unit that can be worn over clothing.
Regent Surgical Health honors Endosurgical Center business office manager.
Regent Surgical Health awarded Linda Reid, business office manager of Robert Wood Johnson Endosurgical Center, the BOM of the Year Award at its 2014 Business Office Manager's Conference.
Park Nicollet to convert clinic to surgery, endoscopy center.
Park Nicollet Health Services plans to spend $48 million on a new outpatient center next to its existing clinic in Maple Grove, Minn. The clinic will be converted to a surgery and endoscopy center. The surgery center is expected to open in 2016.
More Articles on ASC Issues:
ASCs vs. HOPDs: 4 Unexpected Unintentional Consequences of Rate Equalization
Reimbursement Pressure: Will Gastroenterologists Stop Accepting Medicare & Medicaid Patients?
HCA, SCA, Regent & More – 6 Recent Key Notes on ASC Companies