The Georgia
Society of Ambulatory Surgery Centers is
dedicated to pursuing medical, legal, nursing and patient
care issues impacting citizens and ambulatory surgery centers
in the State of Georgia. Our goal is to provide a strong,
unified voice on issues of concern to ambulatory surgery
centers. We support the growth of ambulatory surgery centers
and work to promote excellence in outpatient care with a
commitment to access, quality, and cost containment.
Hot Topics
Red Flag Rule
The Federal Trade Commission is now requiring all surgery centers that meet the description of a "creditor" to follow certain procedures in the facility. Read More
Protected Health Information
In accordance with the Federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act) surgery centers must use proper encryption and destruction security for Protected Health Information (PHI). Read More
CMS Surveyor Guidelines
CMS issued surveyor guidelines that details how a Medicare survey will work and what surveyors will be looking for. Read More
Infection Control Survey
CMS issued an infection control instrument for surveyors that will be used to judge compliance with new requirements in the Conditions for Coverage. View the Survey Instrument
New ASC Medicare Reform Legislation Introduced
On Wednesday, April 22, 2009 US Representatives Kendrick Meek (D-FL) and Wally Herger (R-CA) introduced legislation to expand the access that Medicare beneficiaries have to services performed in ASCs. If adopted, the Ambulatory Surgical Center Access Act of 2009 (H.R. 2049) would
- resolve the increasing discrepancy between hospital outpatient department (HOPD) and ASC payment rates
- require comparable quality reporting standards for ASCs and HOPDs
- overturn a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service's recently adopted regulation to enable ASCs to schedule and provide surgery to patients on the same day
Now that legislation has been introduced, GSASC members need to contact their US Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor the legislation.
To send an electronic letter, go to www.ascassociation.org/advocacy, and click on 'ASC Action Needed Today!' to send a letter.
Ambulatory Surgical Center Access Act of 2009 Additional Resources
Talking Points
Bill Summary
Full Text
PowerPoint Slides for Legislator Presentation
GSASC Job Board
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GSASC & SCASCA Joint Semi-Annual Conference & Trade Show
