Two U.S. Congressional Representatives – Dave Taylor (R-OH) and Carol Miller (R-WV) – last week introduced a bill that they hope becomes a law called the Defend Rural Health Act. The bill aims to “protect the integrity of federal rural health benefits” by eliminating the “dually classified” loophole that the two…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking public input on “strengthening the domestic supply chain for PPE and essential medicines.” The federal agency last week issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public feedback by March 1 on “potential approaches to strengthen the American-made supply…
Kara Newbury, JD, chief advocacy officer of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), recently spent some time with OR Manager to discuss the impact of CMS’ 2026 Final Payment Rule, as well as how ASCA is working with both regulators and legislators to achieve even more gains for the ASC…
In its 2026 Final Payment Rule, CMS added 573 codes to the ASC Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL). It’s a big win for the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) and its advocacy efforts. Kara Newbury, JD, ASCA’s chief advocacy officer, first and foremost views the rule through the lens of Medicare…
In its January Bulletin, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has published a review of what it calls “significant” updates to CPT coding, payment models, and physician reimbursement that have taken effect in 2026. Here’s what’s particularly on surgeons’ minds: “Coding changes for general surgery and related specialties.” ACS specifically…
Last week, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will award all 50 U.S. states funding under its Rural Health Transformation (RHT) program “to strengthen and modernize health care in rural communities across the country.” The initiative is intended to provide what the government estimates is…
On Dec. 29, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will award all 50 U.S. states funding under its Rural Health Transformation (RHT) program “to strengthen and modernize health care in rural communities across the country.” The initiative is intended to provide what the government estimates is…
Editor's Note As surgical procedures are shifting to the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) setting, smart planning and preparation can help ASCs approach smart growth in the next several years, according to a November 21 news story in Becker’s ASC Review. The article highlighted several business-savvy strategies for smart service line…
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has delayed the start date for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) prior authorization demonstration that affects ten states. This delay shifts the date previously set for December 15, 2025, and sets two different phases across affected states into 2026, according…
Editor's Note Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) leaders processing the November 21 decision from CMS to finalize its proposal to phase out Medicare’s inpatient-only list are looking at the change with optimism, as well as caution, according to a November 26 news story in Ambulatory Surgery Center News. The article featured…
