News

In his compelling OOSS Perspective 2018 keynote speech in Washington D.C, America’s foremost political commentator and columnist George F. Will conceptualized a future for outpatient ophthalmic surgery.

The May 2018 digital issue of The Ophthalmic ASC is now available, including articles from the OOSS president Maria Scott, MD, and our 2017 Symposium keynote speaker Elizabeth Nelson, coauthor of "The Healthy Office Revolution."

OOSS joins ASCRS and AAO in releasing new specialty-specific guidelines for the sterile processing of ophthalmic surgical instruments. This document makes evidence-based recommendations regarding issues that may be unique to the cleaning and sterilization of intraocular instrumentation.The new guidelines are the product of a three-year collaboration of the three organizations and provides recommendations with the intent of assisting our members better understand, adopt, or defend certain well-established sterile processing practices as well as appropriately respond to surveyors and other regulators who challenge our facilities’ practices.

After the March 2, 2018, release of an article by Kaiser Health News (KHN) and USA Today condemning outpatient surgery centers, the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) has responded with a strong rebuke.

DENVER, Co (February 27, 2018) – The Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society (OOSS) lends its voice to efforts to rescind a new clinical guideline released this February by managed healthcare organization Anthem that states anesthesia services for cataract surgery are not medically necessary for the majority of patients.

On November 1, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its final CY 2018 payment rate regulation for hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) and ambulatory surgery centers.  There are several issues that merit the attention of the ophthalmic ASC community. 2018 ASC Payment Rate Update  ASC payments are annually updated for inflation by…

OOSS is challenging the 2018 proposed ASC payment rates set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. We have joined ASCRS, the American Society of Retinal Specialists, and the Society for Excellence in Eyecare (SEE) in submitting comments to CMS. In brief: We strenuously object to the use of the Consumer Price Index by…

OOSS and the American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE), the AAO Young Ophthalmologist (YO) Committee, and AAO/AAOE are partnering on a new program designed to support and mentor young ophthalmologists who are interested in future ownership of an ambulatory surgery center. Offered in coordination with the AAOE and the AAO YO Program/AAOE Young Ophthalmologists Program,…

On July 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its proposed CY 2018 payment rate regulation for hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) and ambulatory surgery centers (ASC). The proposed regulation will soon be published in the Federal Register; OOSS and other interested parties will have an opportunity to submit public comments until September…

The new OOSS Emblem Program offers members and partners the opportunity to promote their OOSS affiliation and emphasize their commitment to ensuring top-quality patient care, safety and affordability in the ophthalmic ASC. By displaying the OOSS emblem, members and partners affirm to their patients, clients, and the public that they endorse the highest standards of…