Here are seven things for ambulatory surgery center leaders to know for August 8, 2013.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
Texas ASC Society successfully opposes increased healthcare fines bill.
A Texas bill, which would have increased fines for health code violations from $1,000 to $25,000 per violation per day for healthcare providers, has failed. The Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society opposed the bill, which would have affected surgery centers, hospitals and end stage renal disease facilities.
Nationwide Medicaid expansions could increase enrollment by 18.1M.
If all states were to expand their Medicaid coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, enrollment would increase by about 18.1 million people, while the uninsured population would decrease by 23.1 million, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report. As of yet, it is not clear how many states will choose to expand Medicare coverage.
Nation's 5 largest insurers see $3.7B in Q2 profit.
UnitedHealth Group, WellPoint, Aetna, Humana and Cigna have reported their second quarter revenues for the fiscal year 2013, totaling $78 billion in revenues. The insurers collected $3.7 billion of that total in profit.
PPACA patient out-of-pocket payment cap under $7k.
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, out-of-pocket payment is capped at $6,350 for individuals and $12,700 for families. Next year, an estimated 7 million people will join the 15 million people already purchasing their own coverage.
Oneonta Specialty Service ASC hosts cartilage cell transplant procedure.
Jocelyn Wittstein, MD, research director at the Bassett Healthcare Shoulder and Sports Medicine Research Institute, performed Bassett Healthcare's first cartilage cell transplant procedure at the Oneonta (N.Y.) Specialty Service ambulatory surgery center.
Lincoln Orthopaedic Center appoints Linda Tegler as surgery center manager.
Linda Tegler, RN, has joined Lincoln (Neb.) Orthopaedic center as its surgery center manager. Ms. Tegler has prior experience as an assistant manager of care management at Bryan Hospital, also in Lincoln.
Soma Technology & MAQUET partner to offer ASC equipment.
Soma Technology and MAQUET Medical Systems USA have formed a partnership to offer equipment for ambulatory surgery centers. Soma will offer equipment, such as MAQUET's TEGRIS OR integration system, to its ASC customers.
More Articles on ASC Issues:
Where ASCs Fit in With Healthcare Price Transparency: Q&A With Robyn Jackson
How ASC Administrators Can Thrive Through Teamwork: Q&A With Administrator Joseph DeMarco
6 Steps for Structuring ASC Administrator & Staff Bonus Programs