Latest News

  • Monday, November 13, 2023 11:26 AM | WiSCA (Administrator)

    The next data submission deadline for ASC-20: COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel is Wednesday, November 15, and covers the data collected in the second quarter of 2023, April 1 through June 30.

    For ASC-20, facilities must select one week per month on which to report to meet the quarterly submission requirement. Please note that this Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program measure is completely separate from the withdrawal of the federal vaccination requirement for healthcare personnel that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in May. Your facility must continue to report on ASC-20 until CMS removes it from the ASCQR Program, or you will be subject to future Medicare payment penalties. As a reminder, CMS has proposed to keep this measure in the ASCQR Program for 2024. ASCA will continue to advocate for the removal of this measure.

    The ASCQR Program provides a Web-Based Measure Status Listing that allows facilities to check their data submission status for web-based measures in the program. Enter your ASC’s NPI or CCN in the ASC Facility and CCN Lookup section to see your facility’s submission status. ASCs that fail to meet ASCQR Program requirements are subject to a 2 percent cut to their fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare reimbursements.

    If you have questions, contact the ASCQR Program Support Contractor at 866.800.8756 or through the Quality Question and Answer Tool.

  • Monday, October 30, 2023 8:06 AM | WiSCA (Administrator)

    A rulemaking from the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (MEB) on the use of “medical chaperones” has been completed. Originally, MEB proposed requiring providers to have a trained medical chaperone present during any sensitive physical examination, unless the patient refused the chaperone and agreed to waive certain claims.  WISCA provided written testimony to the MEB detailing how the proposed rule placed an undue burden on ASC’s. 

    In addition to WISCA other provider groups voiced their opposition to the proposed rule prompting the MEB to significantly pare back its proposal. The final language essentially requires physicians and their employers to have a policy regarding medical chaperones and to make the policy readily available to affected patients. DSPS staff have stated that the policy could be as simple as stating that the facility does not offer chaperones. The final rule was adopted by the MEB during its August meeting after clearing gubernatorial and legislative review with no objections. It took effect on October 1.

    The rule defines a “chaperone” as “an individual whom a physician requests to be present during a clinical examination that exposes the breasts, genitals, or rectal area, and who can serve as a witness to the examination taking place should there be any misunderstanding or concern for sexual misconduct.” The rule distinguishes chaperones from an “observer,” “an individual chosen by the patient to be present during an examination or inspection that exposes the breasts, genitals, or rectal area. A patient’s adult family member, legal guardian, or legal custodian is presumed to be able to act as an observer if the patient is twelve years of age or under.”

    If you have questions about the rule please contact Andy Engel:  engel@hamilton-consulting.com 

  • Friday, October 27, 2023 10:28 AM | WiSCA (Administrator)

    WISCA works closely with our national association partner – the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) – on advocacy and other issues important to our members. In fact, the WISCA Government Affairs Team joins a national ASCA state chapter call twice a month for a federal regulatory and legislative briefing and closely follows their published Government Affairs Updates. Here is the latest federal government affairs news from ASCA:

    • The House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee held a legislative hearing to discuss 23 bills and drafts that would reform how Medicare pays healthcare providers. There was a bipartisan consensus that physicians are paid inadequately to keep pace with inflation and rising practice expenses. They also mentioned how hospitals receive an annual inflationary update, but physicians do not. The discussion specifically touched on increased consolidation flaws with the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), alternative payment models, unworkable administrative burden and prior authorization, and the need for site-neutral payments. Unfortunately, the Committee did not consider the copay cap issue of our bill in time for this hearing.  Witnesses for the hearing included the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), Texas Oncology, and other healthcare think tanks, which testified on reforming the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and ensuring that appropriate reimbursement for doctors occurs. Democrats acknowledged the importance of improving the healthcare physician reimbursement system but criticized bills without very much Democratic influence.

    • ASCA expects the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to release the CY 2024 OPPS/ASC Final Rule next week. ASCA will send an initial alert on the day of the rule release and will follow up with additional information.

    • On October 12, ASCA representatives met with Doug Jacobs, MD, chief transformation officer in the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). ASCA requested the meeting to discuss the 2024 proposed payment rule for ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD), which was released on July 13.
      • ASCA Chief Executive Officer Bill Prentice began the call by expressing disappointment with CMS’ lack of transparency regarding additions to the ASC Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL). Although ASCA provided a list of 63 codes for procedures that are being performed safely in ASCs on non-Medicare populations to be added to the ASC-CPL, CMS added only one of the requested codes—G0330 (Facility svs dental rehab)—as part of a larger policy change that includes the proposed addition of 26 dental surgical codes. CMS provided no comment on the lack of inclusion of the other surgical codes ASCA proposed for addition to the ASC-CPL, which included total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA).

      • David Weinstein, MD, ASCA Board member and orthopedic surgeon with the Surgical Center of the Rockies in Colorado Springs, Colorado, joined the call to discuss TSA (CPT 23472). He expressed confusion as to why his colleagues performing total knee and hip arthroplasties are allowed to do so on the Medicare population while he is not allowed to perform TSA on the same population. Dr. Weinstein mentioned research indicating the stellar outcomes when TSA is performed in the outpatient setting, which is supported by his own experiences performing TSA in the ASC setting. According to CMS Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary (PSPS) data, there were 36,159 TSAs performed on Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries in HOPDs in 2021.

      • Since the final rule is due for release within the next two weeks, CMS staff is limited as to how much they can engage in dialogue at this time. However, the meeting allowed ASCA staff to introduce themselves to Dr. Jacobs and highlight some of their formal comments submitted in response to the proposed rule. Once the final rule is released in early November, ASCA will request a meeting to discuss 2025 rulemaking.


  • Friday, October 27, 2023 10:27 AM | WiSCA (Administrator)

    Earlier this month, the Senate Health Committee, which is controlled by Republicans, voted 5-1 to recommend to the full Senate the confirmation of Kirsten Johnson as Secretary of the WI Department of Health Services (DHS). Johnson has been serving as interim secretary since her appointment by Gov. Tony Evers in Feb. 2023. Prior to her appointment, Johnson served as the head of the City of Milwaukee Health Department, as well as the Washington-Ozaukee Health Department. Senator Andre Jacque (R-DePere) was the lone senator on the committee to oppose Johnson’s confirmation, which still needs approval by the full Senate. 

  • Friday, October 27, 2023 10:27 AM | WiSCA (Administrator)

    On September 26, the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee rejected a request from the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) for additional funding for new staff members to assist in processing occupational credential applications. The 10-4 vote to reject the funding fell along party lines.  In its request, DSPS noted that they needed additional staff members to maintain or reduce processing time for occupational credentials.  As part of the 2023-2025 budget bill passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature, lawmakers approved 17 new positions at DSPS, as well as $3.5 million for software upgrades, to improve the credentialing process. 

  • Friday, October 27, 2023 10:26 AM | WiSCA (Administrator)

    Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) announced the state closed the 2023 fiscal year, which ended June 30, with a surplus of slightly more than $7 billion. That is roughly 65% more than last year’s $4.3 billion balance. In addition, the state Budget Stabilization Fund, or “rainy day” fund continues to have a balance of $1.8 billion.

  • Friday, October 27, 2023 10:21 AM | WiSCA (Administrator)

    Earlier this month, on Oct. 6, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a 4-3 decision – split down ideological lines – agreeing to hear a legal challenge to the state’s current legislative maps, which were drawn following the 2020 U.S. Census and after a series of rulings by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Wisconsin voters, claims Wisconsin Assembly and Senate legislative districts were gerrymandered in violation of the state constitution.

    Depending on a final ruling by the liberal-leaning court, new legislative maps could be in place by next year and could shift the balance of power in the Legislature. Republicans have held large majorities in both houses since 2011. The state’s high court will hear oral arguments in the case on November 21, but has not provided a timeline for when it will issue a decision.

  • Friday, October 27, 2023 10:19 AM | WiSCA (Administrator)

    Author: Andrew Engel – WISCA Lobbyist (Hamilton Consulting)

    For the second session in a row, the Senate has passed the “APRN Modernization” bill, which will allow advanced practice nurses to work independently.  The bill passed on a 23-9 bi-partisan vote and now moves to the Assembly.  An amendment was attached to the bill increasing the hours of experience needed for the new APRN credential, but otherwise the language passed is similar to last session’s bill that was vetoed by Governor Evers.

    WISCA is watching this bill closely to make sure that any new provisions won’t negatively impact ASC’s abilities to work with APRNs, most specifically we are watching proposed amendments that relate to pain management as some proposed amendments could restrict ASC’s, especially in rural areas, from utilizing CRNA’s (see third bullet under Med Society’s proposed changes). 

    The Wisconsin Nurses Association characterizes provisions in the bill as such:

    ·        Provides licensing for APRNs and describes the strict educational/experience requirements to obtain a license.

    ·        Grants title protection for APRN and the four specialties.

    ·        Sets the stage for future APRN Compact agreements with other states.

    ·        Standardizes the APRN professional titles to be consistent with the other states.

    ·        Gives the Wisconsin Board of Nursing greater authority in regulating APRNs and APRN graduate schools.

    ·        Provide technical amendments to replace Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber (APNP) with APRN.

    ·        Modernizes Wisconsin’s Nurse Practice Act, § Chapter 441 to reflect the national consensus model being adopted across the country. Specifically the APRN Modernization Act;

    ·        Adds a definition for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and scope of practice.

    ·        Provides formal licensure for advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), recognizing the four different practice roles; Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Practitioner. Requires the licensee to hold national board certification

    ·        Requires graduating with a master’s degree or higher in an APRN role; and graduated from a school of nursing with national accreditation.

    ·        Requires demonstration of medical malpractice and liability insurance coverage.

    ·        Creates the conditions for an APRN to prescribe, consult, collaborate, and refer patients to other health care providers and health systems.

    ·        Allows currently practicing APNPs be licensed as APRNs without application.

    ·        Repeals §441.15 – Nurse Midwife Practice Act

    ·        Repeals §441.16 – Prescription Privileges for Advanced Practice Nurses

    The Wisconsin Medical Society continues to oppose the bill and is calling for changes:

    ·        Requiring an APRN to have at least four years of real-world, team-based care experience before being allowed to practice independently. Two of those years must occur after receiving APRN certification.

    ·        Adding statutory certainty that certain words and terms used to connote physicians and their specialties (including words such as “physician,” “anesthesiologist” etc.) may only be used by those who have earned a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) degree. A separate bill to achieve this goal has been introduced as Senate Bill 143, which was also on the public hearing docket.

    ·        Protecting patients seeking complex pain management services by requiring certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) to work in collaboration with a physician specializing in pain medicine. Current law requires CRNAs to work in collaboration with a physician, with no requirements that the physician have any experience in pain medicine.

    The Assembly still needs to act on the bill before it is sent to the Governor.  It is expected that there will be additional amendments brought forward, but it is unclear if there will be a compromise that paves the way to passage.

  • Monday, October 23, 2023 7:11 AM | WiSCA (Administrator)

    Wisconsin Sen. Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond) and Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) recently visited the Valley Surgery Center in Hudson, WI. Their visit was part of the Association of Wisconsin Surgery Centers (WISCA) Capitol Connection program to connect WISCA members with their local state legislators to show them firsthand the benefits of the Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) model of care.

    “Valley Surgery Center leadership was pleased to host Sen. Stafsholt and Rep. Zimmerman for a tour of the recently opened Valley Surgery Center,” said Dan Zismer, Ph.D., who serves as President of the surgery center’s Board of Governors. “As Board President, I can speak for my colleagues when I say we were impressed with their understanding of the importance of ambulatory surgery centers to the residents of western Wisconsin, as well as their interests in the policy issues that impact cost-effective health care delivered by ASCs.”

    Zimmerman is currently serving his fourth term in the state Assembly representing the 30th Assembly District. Regarding his visit to Valley Surgery Center, he said he had “great discussions with several care providers as we toured the beautiful new facility in Hudson,” and is pleased that western Wisconsin has newly developing healthcare options that will help area residents receive the care they need much closer to home.”

    Stafsholt, who represents the 10th Senate District, was first elected to the Senate in 2020 after serving two terms in the state Assembly.

    The Valley Surgery Center is a multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center owned and operated by the medical groups that perform surgery there. The Center’s surgeons, who provide the highest quality surgical care, and the patient care staff recognize the importance of improving the health, well-being, and quality of life for every patient they serve.

    If you are interested in hosting a legislative visit at your ASC, please contact the WISCA office at WISCA@badgerbay.co.

    Thank you to Valley Surgery Center for hosting their local state legislators, Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond) and Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls).

    (Left to right) Gary Schwartz, MD; Sarah Karau, RN; Sen. Rob Stafsholt; Rep. Shannon Zimmerman; Jonathan Susa, DO; Rita Keating, RN; and Daniel K. Zismer, PhD



  • Friday, September 29, 2023 12:19 PM | WiSCA (Administrator)

    Earlier this month, the GOP-controlled state Assembly passed a nearly $3 billion state income tax cut proposal that would drop income tax rates from 5.3% to 4.4% for individual filers with incomes between $27,630 and $304,170 and deliver the same tax relief for married couples with incomes between $18,420 and $405,550. The legislation would also exclude the first $150,000 of a couple’s retirement income from state income taxes. The provision would apply to residents over the age of 67.

    Gov. Tony Evers has promised to veto the legislation, saying it would jeopardize priorities such as public schools, child care, and public safety. On the flip side of the debate, Assembly Republicans said the measure, which passed on a partisan vote, will help fight inflation, encourage retires to stay in Wisconsin, and give a large portion of the state’s $4 billion surplus back to taxpayers.

    The bill is currently under further consideration in the Senate.

Association of Wisconsin Surgery Centers
563 Carter Court, Suite B Kimberly WI 54136
920-560-5627 I WISCA@badgerbay.co

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