ASC Daily Briefing

🔴 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…