Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) have become a dynamic link in the healthcare industry. These centers provide outpatient services that are medical procedures or surgeries that do not need the patient to stay overnight in a hospital. These centers are a big hit with people because in these days of hustling activities we do not want to stay away from work for more time and like to return home as soon as possible. Like all other healthcare facilities, ASCs also need to maintain electronic health records for which they need EHR solutions. Let’s see here few reasons that have increased the popularity of ASCs.
- Increased efficiency: Ambulatory surgery centers usually specialize in few procedures that help in increased skill base and expertise in the services offered. Also, surgeons have more control over their surgical environment in ASCs which also improves the efficiency of the services offered.
- As hospitalization is not required infection rates get diminished.
- The patient care provided at ASCs comes at much-reduced costs compared to big hospitals and other facilities. Hence, the patients’ satisfaction levels are high for ASCs.
It can be understood from the above that convenience of services, low costs and efficient services along with minimized infection rates are the reasons for choosing ASCs by consumers. As any kind of business or service grows, there would be subsequent changes in the various rules and regulations and standards to be followed. Here are few things that would impact the ambulatory surgery centers in the near future.
- CMS Final Rule for ASCs: The changes provided in the final 2018 ASC rule given by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), majorly hint at reducing administrative costs and maintenance costs for the ASCs.
- Removal from the inpatient list: For the CY 2018, a total six procedures are removed from the Medicare Inpatient-only (IPO) list that is provided in inpatient settings. In the 6 procedures removed from the list is total knee arthroplasty.
- ASC Payment Policy update: The CPI-U for CY 2018 is 1.7% and the MFP adjustment is 0.5 %, thereby resulting in updated CPI-U factor of 1.2%. Taking into consideration all other changes, the total ASC payment are estimated to increase by 3 % approximately in 2018.
- OQR measures removed: Six of the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program quality measures have been removed.
With these and many more changes and updates coming periodically, it is important that the ASCs hire professional EHR solutions providers and RCM services providers to run their business smoothly and profitably. This is also needed to focus on providing quality care to patients without the headache of maintaining electronic health records and complying with different regulations related to medical billing and insurance claims. Avontix in Hyderabad is one of the best companies among the EHR solutions providers.
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