Episode 282 - Deep Dive into the Proposed 2027 CMS Payment Rule, Anesthesia Stipends, the NOPAIN Act, a $12M ASC Valuation Lawsuit - July 3, 2026ment Rule - July 3, 2026

In this episode of the ASC Podcast with John Goehle, we cover a money-focused news segment — the anesthesia stipend crisis by the numbers, a refresher on the NOPAIN Act and the separate Medicare payment it created for non-opioid pain management, and a $12 million ASC valuation lawsuit in Iowa. We also share a few things we've been seeing in the field. Then we go all-in on the big one: CMS's just-released proposed payment rule for 2027 — the proposed ASC update, the market-basket question, the Covered Procedures List, the device and NOPAIN provisions, quality-reporting changes, and the site-of-service savings — plus the summary and spreadsheet we built — and a video walkthrough coming to conferences.asc-central.com — to help you assess the impact on your center. This episode is sponsored by Surgical Information Systems, RFX Solutions, Medserve and  Ambulatory Healthcare Strategies. Notes and Resources from this Episode: Anesthesia stipends by the numbers — Becker's ASC (June 12, 2026): beckersasc.com The NOPAIN Act and separate Medicare payment for non-opioid pain management — ASC News: ascnews.com NOPAIN Act — CMS, Non-Opioid Treatments for Pain Relief (payment details, 42 CFR 416.174): cms.gov Iowa health system and physician group sue over a $12M ASC valuation gap — Becker's ASC: beckersasc.com 2027 Proposed Rule —  Resource Library: the CMS proposed rule (CMS-1850-P) and addenda, our comprehensive written summary of the rule, the impact spreadsheet, and the video walkthrough — all gathered in one place: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/j37wvj8v9h15lmbyhjri3/ABzhpV77rpOrshAXqCBv0oY?rlkey=h83k0pf1fb90lzi44463go4w9&dl=0 Video Seminar - “What CMS's Proposed 2027 Payment Rule Means for Your ASC” available on demand for free https://conferences.asc-central.com/2027-payment-rule/   INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASC PODCAST WITH JOHN GOEHLE ASC Central is our one-stop site for ASC bootcamps, on-demand conferences, and membership programs: conferences.asc-central.com Patron Membership — our base membership for podcast listeners: regular group Zoom sessions, a full resource database to help run your ASC, and several free conferences (Conditions for Coverage, Medical Director, Credentialing, and Finance & Accounting). Become a Patron Member Premium Access Program — includes Patron membership PLUS unlimited Bootcamps (Administrator and Director of Nursing, normally $1,899.99 each), our Credentialing, Conditions for Coverage, Medical Director and Infection Control programs, weekly drop-in Zoom sessions, and up to five hours of private consulting. Sign up for Premium Access Compare both programs: conferences.asc-central.com/membership-programs-2   Important Resources for ASCs: Conditions for Coverage: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=42:3.0.1.1.3&idno=42#se42.3.416_150 Infection Control Survey Tool (Used by Surveyors for Infection Control) https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107_exhibit_351.pdf Updated Guidance for Ambulatory Surgical Centers - Appendix L of the State Operations Manual (SOM) https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_l_ambulatory.pdf https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/updated-guidance-ambulatory-surgical-centers-appendix-l-state-operations-manual-som Policy & Memos to States and Regions CMS Quality Safety & Oversight memoranda, guidance, clarifications and instructions to State Survey Agencies and CMS Regional Offices. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Policy-and-Memos-to-States-and-Regions Other Resources from the ASC Podcast with John Goehle: Visit the ASC Podcast with John Goehle Website Books by John Goehle Get a copy of John’s most popular book - The Survey Guide - A Guide to the CMS Conditions for Coverage & Interpretive Guidelines for Ambulatory Surgery Centers