01/25/2026

CASA 2026 Key Dates, Deadlines & Member Updates

As we begin 2026, CASA is actively planning and coordinating initiatives to strengthen support for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across California. As your statewide membership association, our focus remains on delivering meaningful education, practical resources, and opportunities that help your centers thrive.

Below is a preview of CASA's 2026 priorities, along with key dates and regulatory milestones we encourage every ASC to incorporate into its annual planning.

What CASA Is Working on for 2026

CASA is expanding programs and resources designed to support operational excellence, leadership development, and regulatory readiness. Plans are being finalized and will be shared in greater detail soon. Highlights include:

• Launching CASA’s Annual ASC QAPI Seminar to support continuous quality improvement and compliance.

• Monthly Ambulatory Surgery Administrator Education Sessions, blending clinical topics, leadership development, CASC exam preparation, regulatory updates, and member-requested content.

• CASA ASC Leaders Book Club, creating space for peer connection and shared learning.

• Affordable HR and workforce-focused seminars designed to help centers meet regulatory and accreditation requirements.

• Clear guidance on how to position your center for the CASA ASC Excellence Award, with recipients announced at the 2026 Annual Conference.

Important Dates and Opportunities for California ASCs

We encourage all California ASCs to incorporate the following key dates into their 2026 planning calendar.

January 2026

• CASA Benchmarking Open now for data entry for the 4^th quarter of 2025. The CASA Benchmarking program is free to all CASA members. The information gathered is incredibly valuable to ASCs as they look across our state to improve their own operational metrics while meeting accreditation standards. Make sure your center is participating. Remember, this is free to CASA members.  The program is currently open for 2025 4th quarter data entry through February 15, 2026. For further information or password assistance, please contact CASA Executive Director Karen Reiter at 530.790.7990 or kreiter@casurgery.org.

• CMS Quality Reporting
  CASA has updated the 2026 reporting requirements on the CASA website, located under the regulatory tab.
• Have your ASC take the Opioid Sparing Pledge.
  This is a great addition to market your ASC to your patients and the public.
  
  
• CASA is adding value through our AORN collaboration, bringing California ASCs more affordable, discounted perioperative training through your CASA Membership.

February 2026

• February 15, 2026 - CASA Benchmarking data entry closes for the 4^th quarter 2025.

March 2026

• The CASA Salary Survey will open for data entry.  Only CASA members who participate receive a free survey report.  Non-participants will be able to purchase the survey for $500.00. Please ensure your center participates by submitting your data.

April 2026

• April 1, 2026 - CASA Benchmarking opens for 1^stquarter 2026. If your center hasn’t participated before, this is a perfect time to join and capture a full year of benchmarking.

• CASA Award for ASC Excellence - April is an opportunity to start gathering your data to submit your ASC's application.  This is a great opportunity to showcase your center and receive well-deserved recognition.

May 2026

• May 15, 2026 - CASA Benchmarking data entry closes for 1^stquarter 2026.
  
  
• May 17, 2026 - ASCQR Important Dates CY 2026 Reporting Period/CY 2028 Payment Determination. Updated and more detailed information is available under the Regulations Tab on the CASA Website:

ASC-1: Patient Burn; ASC-2: Patient Fall; ASC-3: Wrong Site, Wrong Side, Wrong Patient, Wrong Procedure, Wrong Implant; ASC-4: All-Cause Hospital Transfer Admission. Data for these measures must be collected for all patients, not just fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries.

ASC-9: Endoscopy/Polyp Surveillance: Appropriate Follow-Up Interval for Normal Colonoscopy in Average Risk Patients - Report via the HQR Secure Portal.

ASC-13 Normothermia Outcome and ASC-14: Unplanned Anterior Vitrectomy - As with ASC-9, the deadline to report on these measures via the HQR Secure Portal.

June 2026

• June 30, 2025 - Deadline to submit CASA Award for ASC Excellence Applications.

July 2026

• July 1, 2026 - CASA Benchmarking opens for the 2^nd quarter 2026.
  
  
• July 8, - ASCQR Q1 reporting deadline for ASC 15.

August 2026

• August 15, 2026 - CASA Benchmarking data entry closes for the 2nd quarter 2026.

September 2026

• September 2-4, 2026 - CASA Annual Conference - Monterey, CA.

October 2026

• October 1, 2026 - CASA Benchmarking opens for 3rd quarter 2026.
  
  
• October 3, 2026 - Opening of ASCQR ASC 21 Data Collection window.
  
  
• October 2026 -ASCQR Q2 reporting deadline for ASC 15.

November 2026

• CASA Infection Prevention and Surveillance in the ASC Training - More information to follow.
  All participants receive a certificate of training meeting CMS and accreditation requirements.
  
  
• November 15, 2026 - CASA Benchmarking data entry closes for the 3^rd quarter 2026.