The Business of Surgery The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) announced its support for the Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026. ASCA states that the legislation, if enacted, would “stabilize ASC reimbursements” by requiring CMS to use “the same inflation factor used to update hospital payment rates,” while also removing a “budget neutrality adjustment…
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has released its first-ever Orthopaedic Industry Report, “a new market intelligence resource that synthesizes data and insights from across the continuum of orthopedic care to help healthcare leaders understand the trends shaping the orthopedic market and musculoskeletal care delivery.” States AAOS, “Healthcare organizations across…
A cost efficiency analysis of outpatient ophthalmic procedures has been published in American Journal of Ophthalmology. The purpose of the study, state the researchers, was to “evaluate the financial feasibility” of nine common ophthalmic procedures performed at ASCs and HOPDs relative to Medicare facility reimbursement in 2025. The study proposes…
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has sent a letter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative to ask that medications, medical devices and other healthcare equipment and supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE) be exempted from proposed duties on goods from other nations. In the letter, signed by…
Cleveland Clinic is expanding the utilization of its ORs by opening more of them up to Saturday elective procedures, particularly in its ophthalmology and orthopedics service lines. Cole Eye Institute on Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus is now offering eye procedures on Saturdays, while Medina (Ohio) Hospital, as well as Marymount…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week released the 2027 proposed payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). You can access and download a PDF of the full 723-page rule here. In addition to issuing a press release headlined “CMS Disincentivizes Procedure Migration with Decline…
After formal approval by state and federal regulators, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Heritage Valley Health System have finalized an affiliation agreement that will add two Heritage Valley hospitals, dozens of clinical locations, and hundreds of physicians to AHN’s western Pennsylvania-based network. The organizations are now focused on integration of “operations and clinical programmatic…
Frost & Sullivan has released its latest analysis on ASCs, calling them “one of the most significant growth opportunities reshaping healthcare delivery worldwide.” It projects that the global ASC market will grow by more than 30% between 2024 and 2029, driven by “rising demand for efficient, cost-effective, and patient-centric care.”…
New Jersey health systems Hunterdon Health and Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) announced that they have “signed a letter of intent regarding a partnership between the two mission-driven organizations, designed to enhance patient care, expand access to services, and accelerate innovation all for the benefit of their patients and communities.” “We believe…
According to reports from WSFA-TV and other media outlets, a federal bankruptcy judge has denied a request by Jackson Hospital of Montgomery, Ala., for a preliminary injunction against Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) in a decision that could have ramifications for other struggling rural and community hospitals.…
