Sitting Down with Our Industry Experts: Regina Boore

At VMG Health, we’re dedicated to sharing our knowledge. Our experts present at in-person conferences and virtual webinars to bring you the latest compliance, strategy, and transaction insight. Sit down with our in-house experts in this blog series, where we unpack the five key takeaways from our latest speaking engagements.

1. Can you provide a high-level overview of what you spoke about at Caribbean Eye?

I was part of a panel discussion called, “Regulatory Compliance and Insurance Trends for ASCs.” Representing Progressive Surgical Solutions (PSS): A Division of VMG Health, I focused on two new regulatory issues in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) space: the new water quality standard and putting together a whole program for water quality inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements throughout the year; and then I gave an update on Medicare’s mandatory quality reporting requirements for surgery centers.

The big thing that I focused on is the Outpatient Ambulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (OAS CAHPS) requirement, which is now 34 questions. This assessment will be mandatory as of January 1, 2025, and ASCs must work with a vendor approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). There are only so many CMS-approved vendors, and there are thousands of surgery centers, so it’s important to get on it and decide which vendor you’re going to work with, and then start the implementation process.

2. What do you think the audience was the most surprised to learn from your presentation?

I think many people were just unaware of this new water quality standard, and I don’t think they had a good grasp on what is involved in administering this survey. ASCs must work through one of the CMS-approved vendors, and there is a process to getting set up to be able to implement it.

3. How do you think your presentation helped healthcare leaders better prepare for challenges? 

Knowledge is key. Many attendees took pictures of my slides, and I provided resources for them to find the most updated information of the OAS CAHPS program. It was imperative to give them that knowledge and empower them to stay a step ahead as the new requirements are implemented.

4. What resources would you suggest for those interested in learning more? 

Our eSupport membership program contains a wide array of resources. The PSS team has intimate knowledge of ASC operations from years of hands-on experience. We constantly update eSupport so ASCs can remain compliant, successful, and confident—even when regulations change.

To dive into the continued evolution of ASCs, check out VMG Health’s ASCs in 2023: A Year in Review article, which includes everything from market dynamics to provider reimbursement.

5. If someone takes only one message from your presentation, what would you want it to be?  

Be prepared. The downside of being unprepared with this water management program is that you could get a deficiency citation on a survey, announced or unannounced. As for the OAS CAHPS survey, if an ASC fails to submit the required number of surveys in 2025, it will be hit with a 2% penalty on its Medicare reimbursement in 2027. Both situations should be avoided at all costs, and staying prepared is key.

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