Becker's Spine Review

36 OUTPATIENT SURGERY What ASCs with a competitive edge will look like in the coming years: 5 insights By Laura Dyrda A SCs with the right strategy in place can take advantage of trends in healthcare to accelerate growth in the future. Christina Goodall, DNP, RN, administrator of Atlanta Orthopedic Institute, outlines five ways surgery centers can take advantage of the evolving healthcare landscape to thrive over the next three years. 1. Focus on customers. "ASCs that are pro- gressive and forward-thinking over the next three years will enhance their customer ser- vice, maximize cost efficiencies, have excellent quality outcomes and excel in direct-to-em- ployer contracting," said Dr. Goodall. 2. Add services to become a one-stop shop. "An ASC's ability to create an ecosystem of services under one roof inclusive of pre-sur- gery wellness, physician clinic, surgery cen- ter, physician and staff expertise, and physical therapy will have the competitive advantages over the standard hospital outpatient surgery department," said Dr. Goodall. "ASCs have the ability to make it easy and convenient for patients to receive a concierge experience." 3. Compete on pricing. "ASC prices [can be] 35 to 40 percent cheaper than hospitals [on average]," said Dr. Goodall. "Because of the price point savings, payers will want to divert more outpatient services from inpatient hos- pitals into the ASC ecosystem. Today, ASCs are performing partial and total knee arthro- plasty with less pain, faster ambulation and recovery. Furthermore, same day discharge with specific criteria reduces the length of stay, thus reducing cost." 4. Focus on quality reporting and achieve specialty designation. "ASCs that have ac- creditation status and meet key quality criteria will excel in the future," said Dr. Goodall. "As healthcare becomes more transparent with price and quality outcomes, it will be imper- ative that ASCs maintain high-quality report- ing metrics, especially with a focus on pre- and postsurgery measures. Many ASCs boast Blue Distinction and Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care-designated centers of excellence for joint and spine." 5. Bundle services and negotiate with em- ployers. "ASCs that have an ability to bundle their services for specific procedures will have the opportunity to negotiate directly with self-insured employers, enabling their employ- ees to get concierge type services at reduced rates. By doing so, employers will reduce their loss time injuries and ensure that their employ- ees receive high-quality services in a controlled environment," said Dr. Goodall. n Thousands of physicians joined 3 big ASC chains in 2020 By Laura Dyrda Three large ASC companies added physicians in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International, part of Ten- et, reported adding more than 3,700 physicians last year. The physicians were added through recruitment and Tenet's acquisi- tion of 45 surgery centers from Towson, Md.-based SurgCenter Development. This year, USPI said it plans to deploy about $150 million in acquisition capital to add 25 to 40 new centers. It will also focus on developing new centers with physician partners. Deerfield, Ill.-based Surgical Care Affiliates, part of Optum, re- cruited more than 1,000 physicians to join its network in 2020 through the end of the third quarter. The company added 40 new service lines to its centers last year, double the number added in 2019. Brentwood, Tenn.-based Surgery Partners, an independent chain of ASCs, reported more than 400 physicians joined its ranks in 2020. The company said it plans to deploy more than $100 million in capital, with some going to new center acquisitions this year. n Florida pain clinics to pay $1.6M+ to settle anti- kickback violations By Eric Oliver F ort Myers, Fla.-based Collier Anesthesia Pain and Tampa (Fla.) Pain Relief Clinic will pay more than $1.6 million to settle anti-kickback law violations, NBC-2 reported Feb. 1. The clinics allegedly engaged in an illegal kickback scheme by getting patients to undergo a procedure by sending them to surgery centers where copay- ments around facility fees were waived, according to the report. In addition, both clinics also submitted improper claims for evaluation, management and psycholog- ical testing services, according to the report. The settlement is not an admittance of guilt. n

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