THE ASCA JOURNAL APRIL 2018


12 BOSTON CALLING Expand your ASC network, knowledge and skills at ASCA 2018


DEPARTMENTS 6 MESSAGE FROM THE CEO


8 ASCA 2018 Improve your managed care contracts


10 AS I SEE IT Outlook for ASCs providing cardiology and vascular surgery care


20 CODING Applying NFPA 99 to your ASC


22 DOING BUSINESS Code properly to prevent lost revenue


24 REGULATORY REVIEW ASCA takes aim at Medicare payment policy


26 ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT State-based advocacy champions speak out


28 ASCA NEWS Still time to sign up for ASCA 2018


29 WEB CRAWL Get ready for ASCA 2018 on ASCA Connect


ASC Focus is published by the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, 1012 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, phone: 703.836.8808, fax: 703.549.0976, www.ascassociation.org. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from ASCA is prohibited.


Chief Executive Officer: Bill Prentice; Director of Communications: Kay Tucker; Editor: Sahely Mukerji; Staff Writers: Kara Newbury and Rob Kurtz. Advertising inquiries should be addressed to Chris Schriever at 202.337.1897. Vol. 11, No. 4 | ISSN 1944-7280


FEATURES


14 SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS How to protect your patients from paying out-of-network prices


16 IMPROVE YOUR ASC’s SAFETY CULTURE Know the current standards and follow established best practices


30 USE EMR TO MAKE BILLING EASIER AND MORE ACCURATE Proceed with caution for best results


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