Archive for June 2026

🔴 Urgent / Action Required No new comment deadlines or enforcement actions identified today. Reminder: 2026 is the first full survey year under AAAHC v44 Standards — centers accredited by AAAHC should confirm their QAPI/data-collection processes match v44 outcomes expectations before their next survey. Source: OR Today — Accreditation: What Leaders Need to Know in…

🔴 Urgent / Action Required CY 2026 OPPS/ASC Final Rule is in effect. The CY 2026 OPPS/ASC Final Rule with comment period (CMS-1834-FC) took effect January 1, 2026. Confirm billing and quality teams have implemented the 2.6% rate update and the expanded covered-procedures list. Source: Federal Register — CY 2026 OPPS/ASC Final Rule Florida ASC…

🔴 Urgent / Action Required CMS finalizes stricter oversight of Accrediting Organizations. On June 12, 2026, CMS finalized changes to the requirements governing all CMS-approved Accrediting Organizations (AOs), including those that accredit ASCs (AAAHC, Joint Commission, QUAD A, DNV). The amendment to 42 CFR Part 488 (Survey, Certification & Enforcement) was published June 16, 2026.…

🔴 Urgent / Action Required AAAHC v45 Standards Public Comment Period Opening Soon — AAAHC has announced that the public comment period for v45 Standards will open shortly. v45 introduces AI governance requirements (ensuring organizations have core governance in place before AI is embedded in patient care), removes burdensome requirements, improves terminology clarity, and resolves…

🔴 Urgent / Action Required CMS Prior Authorization Demonstration — Active in 10 States The 5-year PA demonstration for certain ASC services is fully live in all 10 states (CA, FL, TX, AZ, OH, TN, PA, MD, GA, NY). Targeted procedures: blepharoplasty, botulinum toxin injections, panniculectomy, rhinoplasty, and vein ablation. Claims without a Unique Tracking…