Episode 285 - CMS's Provider-Enrollment Crackdown, Anesthesia Stipends, a BLS Readiness Gap, a Locked Pre-Op Door, Traveling Biomed Checks, and an Interview with Pharmacy Consultants - July 18, 2026

In this episode of the ASC Podcast with John Goehle, we run through the ASC news that matters — a sweeping CMS enrollment proposal, the anesthesia squeeze, and more — plus a few things we've been seeing out in the field. Then John sits down with two veteran pharmacy consultants for a practical look at medication safety in the surgery center, from patient screening to drug diversion to malignant-hyperthermia readiness. This episode is sponsored by Surgical Information Systems, RFX Solutions, Medserve and  Ambulatory Healthcare Strategies. Notes and Resources from this Episode: CMS seeks new powers to deny or revoke enrollment for “problematic” Medicare providers — Becker’s Hospital Review: beckershospitalreview.com CY2027 Home Health PPS proposed rule (CMS-1844-P) — Medicare enrollment provisions (retroactive revocation, location & affiliation rules, 855B private-equity/REIT disclosure); comments due Aug 31, 2026 — CMS fact sheet: cms.gov Elevance’s 10% out-of-network penalty — 3 payer moves disrupting ASCs, physicians — Becker’s ASC: beckersasc.com Why anesthesia stipends could be inevitable amid outdated ASC models — Becker’s ASC: beckersasc.com Feds: Iowa plastic surgeon defrauded Medicare through false billings — Iowa Capital Dispatch: iowacapitaldispatch.com CMS request for information on episode-based payment for ASCs (ASCA opposed) — ASC News: ascnews.com Companion episode: Episode 283 — Pharmacy Management and Recalls . 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