Responding to numerous questions, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised its interpretive guidelines for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to clarify that the history and physical (H&P) may be performed on the same day as the surgical procedure and may be performed in the ASC. The clarification…

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Hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) will receive small rate increases for outpatient services under the Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System rule for calendar year 2011. Hospitals face new quality reporting requirements, but none of the new measures is directly related to surgery. ASC quality reporting was postponed once again.…

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Medical-surgical supplies are essential to the delivery of health care. That is why even small hospitals usually have a staff member who is in charge of ordering, buying, stocking, and distributing the thousands of supplies and who knows how to manage vendors and negotiate contracts. Larger hospitals have high-level executives…

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Financial difficulties are challenging more managers of ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) this year, according to results of the 20th annual OR Manager Salary/ Career Survey. Average annual salary (and total compensation) by region Note: Total compensation includes wages/salary plus bonuses, insurance, pension, etc. Much of the change can be attributed…

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As health care facilities continue to face tight economics, the staffing picture of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) is much the same as last year. Compared to a year ago, most ASC managers say the number of open positions, staff turnover, and recruitment are about the same. There are few open…

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Every ambulatory surgery center (ASC) needs a financial compass to help chart its course. Is revenue per case up or down? What about expenses per case? How does the center's performance compare with national benchmarks? A financial dashboard helps leaders at Harmony Surgery Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, see trends…

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There's a new abbreviation you will be hearing as part of health care reform—ACOs, or accountable care organizations. An ACO could be entering your ambulatory surgery center's local market. Encouraged under the health care reform bill signed in March 2010, ACOs are a strategy for curbing the rapid growth in…

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Here's a variation on a traditional interview question: How do you envision your ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in 3 years? In 5 years? Those who reply, "I don't know because I'm too busy analyzing last week's utilization," are not unusual. Unlike hospitals, health systems, and the average small business, ASCs…

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Staying on top of credentialing and privileging requirements in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is a daunting task. Credentialing applications need to be tracked; licensure, education, and other qualifications verified; databases checked for suspensions and any other adverse actions; and reappointments followed up. ASC leaders know accreditation surveyors expect all…

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Ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) are generally set up to serve the needs of their patient communities while maximizing revenue for their physician, investor, or hospital owners. Take away those incentives, and it is reasonable for an ASC manager to ask, "What are we doing here?" Yet with falling reimbursement rates…

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