News and Opportunities
11/06/2023
CMS Releases 2024 Final Payment Rule for ASCs and Hospital Outpatient Departments
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2024 final payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) on November 2, 2023. The rule contained several positive aspects for ASCs including the addition of total shoulder arthroplasty to the ASC Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL).
11/06/2023
Opportunities to Honor Veterans in Your ASC
Veteran Spotlight - Kim Russell
Veteran’s Day is a time to celebrate the men and women who have served in the U.S. military and recognize their unique experience that comes with that. CASA Executive Director Beth LaBouyer, along with CASA Board Member Stephanie McIntosh, and Scripps Encinitas Surgery Center Administrator Alisa Inahara, participated in a recent career fair for veterans at Camp Pendleton on October 5th.
10/16/2023
CASA Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Member Spotlight - Marie Nader
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of employees with disabilities. It also raises awareness regarding employment-related issues unique to people with disabilities. It has been estimated that only about 35% of people with disabilities are employed, compared to 76% of people without disabilities in the United States. More can be done to open the door of opportunity to disabled workers.
10/09/2023
CalOSHA and Common ASC Questions
Register today for this free webinar
As ASCs are busy providing excellent care for their patients, it’s critical that they also offer a safe and healthy environment for their employees and medical staff. This webinar will take place on October 26, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Zohra Ali, MS, CIH Area Manager, Cal/OSHA Consultation Unit will walk us through the common questions from the ASC community regarding standards and regulations as they pertain to CalOSHA and their oversight.
10/03/2023
DWC Posts Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (Hospital Outpatient Departments/Ambulatory Surgical Centers)
The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an order adjusting the Hospital Outpatient Departments and Ambulatory Surgical Centers section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to conform to changes in the Medicare payment system as required by Labor Code section 5307.1. CASA has updated its WC calculator to reflect these changes.
09/28/2023
CASA Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th through October 15th, while many other communities are honored during a dedicated month (i.e. Black history Month in February, or Pride Month in June). The reason for this designated dual-month timeframe is that it aligns with various Latin American Independence Day celebrations. CASA Member, Lydia Maldonado shares her insights.
09/25/2023
Important Education Offerings for CASA Members
Check out the upcoming education from CASA, including the free webinar from CalOSHA.
09/19/2023
CASA Awards 11 ASCs with the CASA Award for ASC Excellence
90210 Surgery Medical Center Wins ASC of the Year
On Thursday, September 14, 2023, CASA revealed the recipients for the 2023 CASA Award for ASC Excellence and the CASA ASC of the Year. The awards were established to acknowledge that California ASCs are drivers of excellent healthcare, providing opportunities and solutions for healthcare reform. In 2016, the CASA Board established the CASA Award for ASC Excellence as a mechanism to honor ASCs who strive to “rise to the top.” The program is built around 5 pillar categories acknowledging a CASA member facility who exemplifies best practices in the surgery center industry, plus actively promotes and advocates for ASC excellence and inclusion in the healthcare delivery system.
07/26/2023
CASA Members in Action
CASA members have been busy this summer advocating for ASCs by opening up their facilities for legislative tours. Healthcare continues to be a priority in the California Legislature. These tours are opportunities to show first-hand how California ASCs provide significant cost savings, innovation, and quality outcomes in our communities.
07/14/2023
CMS Releases 2024 Proposed Medicare Payment Rule
DWC Posts Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (Hospital Outpatient Departments/Ambulatory Surgical Centers)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 proposed payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) on Thursday, July 14, 2023.
07/12/2023
CASA Benchmarking Open for 2nd Quarter 2023
Is your facility taking advantage of CASA’s free benchmarking? Comparing your ASC outcomes to other like ASCs is important and looked at by accreditation bodies. Benchmarking is also a critical opportunity to utilize quality and performance metrics to improve your clinical outcomes as well as operational efficiencies.
07/07/2023
Under the Dome – Another Day Another Assembly Speaker
By CASA Lobbyist Bryce Docherty
On Friday, June 30th Assembly Member Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) became the 67th Speaker of the California State Assembly. Speaker Rivas, the grandson of farmworkers who marched with Cesar Chavez for farmworker rights, also becomes the first Assembly Speaker in modern history to represent a non-urban area of California.
06/29/2023
Independence Day Reflections
Veteran Spotlight - Chuck Meisel
The 4th of July holds significance beyond just being a day for barbeques and fireworks. It serves as a moment to acknowledge those who have fought for our country and our independence – we can listen to their stories, appreciate their sacrifices, and gain a deeper understanding of their journeys. CASA also wants to recognize the community organizations that are doing important work helping veterans transition successfully from military life back to civilian life, and working through the many hardships that come with that.
06/29/2023
2023 Call for CASA Board Nominations
Submit your Interest by August 18, 2023
CASA Annual Board elections will be held this September at the CASA Annual Conference. There are 3 Board seats open. Two of the seats are for a full, 4-year term, the remaining seat is for a 2-year term.
06/21/2023
CASA 2023 Salary Survey - The Results are in!
The CASA 2023 Salary Survey report is finalized and available. CASA members who participated in the survey have received an email with access to the report.
06/20/2023
Extraordinary Circumstances Exceptions for ASCQR Program
Did you miss the ASC Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program data deadline of May 15, 2023? If your ASC was unable to submit any required information due to an extraordinary circumstance, your ASC may request an exception.
06/19/2023
Unpacking Life-Safety - Understanding and Addressing Common Deficiencies in ASCs
Join us Tuesday, June 27th, at 2 PM, as CASA hosts an informative webinar with Jeremy Ralston, Life Safety Manager - Clinical Quality Enterprise; SCA Health, as he delves into the critical topic of survey deficiencies for Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Life Safety, exploring proactive measures to prevent them before undergoing survey assessments.
06/13/2023
CASA Annual Conference September 13-15, 2023, in Monterey, CA
Register and make your hotel reservation soon.
September and the CASA Annual Conference will be here before you know it. Make sure you have the dates marked on your calendar and register soon to receive additional discounts. We also encourage you to make your hotel reservation as soon as possible as Monterey is a tourist destination and space fills up quickly.
06/06/2023
ASC Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program Requirements Continue to Be in Place for ASC-20
On May 31, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule that withdraws the regulations that had mandated COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare personnel. It is important to note that the CMS 2023 ASC Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program Requirements continue to be in place including ASC-20.
06/01/2023
CMS Withdraws Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Mandate
ASCs Should Comply with County Recommendations
On May 31, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule that withdraws the regulations that had mandated COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare personnel.
05/31/2023
CASA Award for ASC Excellence
Application Deadline is June 30, 2023
The deadline is quickly approaching and CASA is encouraging all of our members to consider applying for the CASA Award for ASC Excellence. This is a great opportunity to have your ASC acknowledged by your peers and further let the public know the service you provide.
05/25/2023
DWC Posts Additional Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (Hospital Outpatient Departments/Ambulatory Surgical Centers)
CASA Annual Conference September 13-15, 2023, in Monterey CA
DWC has posted an order adjusting the Hospital Outpatient Departments and Ambulatory Surgical Centers fee schedule to adopt the following Medicare updates made May 10, 2023.
05/22/2023
Are You Taking Advantage of One of CASA’s Biggest Benefits to Help You Meet the Staffing Crisis?
Hear how Andrea Gallardo used it for her center’s success.
In the CASA member survey, one of the greatest areas of concern for ASCs was access to trained perioperative nurses and the overall staffing shortage. The CASA Board implemented a special committee to research opportunities to assist our members with meeting these demands.
05/11/2023
CASA Attends Hiring Our Heroes Career Fair
Veteran Spotlight - Dr. Robert S. Bray Jr., MD
On May 9, 2023, CASA Executive Director Beth LaBouyer and CASA Veterans Committee member Chad Smith, Administrator, Sutter Alhambra Surgery Center represented the ASC industry at the Hiring Our Heroes Career Fair in San Francisco. Check out our Veteran Spotlight-Dr. Robert S. Bray Jr.
05/11/2023
Monday is the Deadline for CMS Quality Reporting to Avoid Penalties
May 15, 2023, is the deadline for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Reporting in order for facilities to avoid a reduction to the following year’s Medicare reimbursement. May 15, 2023, is also the deadline for CASA Benchmarking
05/02/2023
CASA Benchmarking and CMS Quality Reporting Deadlines Approaching
The system is open for data entry for the 1st quarter of 2023, and closes May 15, 2023. May 15, 2023, is also the deadline for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Reporting in order for facilities to avoid a reduction to the following year’s Medicare reimbursement.
05/01/2023
CASA Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a time to recognize and honor the rich history, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) to the United States. This month-long celebration provides an opportunity to highlight the achievements, struggles, and contributions of AAPI communities, while also promoting awareness and understanding of their heritage and experiences.
04/24/2023
CASA Members in Action
On April 5, 2023, Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) toured the Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, Briggsmore Surgery Center and on April 20, 2023, Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) and her assistant Giezi Bermudez toured Endoscopy Center of South Sacramento.
04/17/2023
California Ambulatory Surgery Association Meeting with California Office of Health Care Affordability Highlights Potential Value of ASCs and Opportunities for System Savings
The California Ambulatory Surgery Association (CASA) recently met with key representatives of California’s new Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA). Vishaal Pegany, Deputy Director, and Margareta Brandt, Assistant Deputy Director of Health System Performance for OHCA, shared information about the goals of the California Office of Health Care Affordability, upcoming milestones, and how OHCA plans to measure and report on total health care expenditures.
04/13/2023
CASA 2023 Salary Survey
Members Must Participate to Receive the Results at No Charge - Deadline to Enter Data Aproaching
It is that time of year to submit your information for the CASA Salary Survey. Each year, the survey becomes more successful with increased participation and expanded results. We’ve updated the 2023 survey to gather some additional information to help you as centers navigate through the current staffing crisis.
04/12/2023
CASA Members in Action
CASA Asking Members to Write their Member of Congress
On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 90210 Surgery Medical Center toured Congressman Ted Lieu’s Deputy District Director, Janet Turner. It was a great opportunity to show first-hand how ASCs are integral in meeting the needs of the community, including expanding access to healthcare and providing savings to Medicare as well as the Medicare beneficiary. During the visit they were able to discuss the importance of the Outpatient Surgery Quality and Access Act of 2023.
04/05/2023
The ASC Anesthesia Dilemma
Join us for this CASA Webinar – April 27, 2023
This webinar is free to CASA members and will bring together a panel of industry experts to provide their perspectives and concepts for success..
04/04/2023
CDPH Updates COVID-19 Guidance
ASCs Should Comply with County Recommendations
As of April 3, 2023, masks are no longer required in indoor high-risk and health care settings by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). It is important for ASCs to follow the guidance of their county health departments and update their policies accordingly. On March 30, 2023, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) issued the following health order.
03/31/2023
CASA Benchmarking Open for 1st Quarter 2023
Take Advantage of the Perioperative 101 Training Discount - Expires 8.31.23
Now is a perfect opportunity to assure your center is participating in the CASA Benchmarking program. The system is open for data entry for the 1st quarter of 2023.
03/27/2023
CASA Celebrates Women's History Month
Member Spotlight - Robin Menefee
CASA celebrates diversity in healthcare which includes promoting gender equity. This Women’s History Month, we are highlighting current female leaders in healthcare and the importance of bringing more women into leadership roles.
03/14/2023
CASA Celebrates Women's History Month
Member Spotlight - Kara Hoffman
Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate women’s contributions to society. In healthcare, women make up the majority of workers, and the number is steadily increasing. But there is still a significant gap to reach gender equality amongst the leadership ranks. This month, CASA is recognizing women in healthcare leadership positions and encouraging ASCs to nurture future female leaders.
