Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1390520
13 ASC MANAGEMENT The most expensive ASC projects so far in 2021 By Carly Behm B ecker's ASC Review reported on seven new ASC projects that are expected to cost at least $25 million so far this year. 1. Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute is develop- ing a 371,000-square-foot healthcare facility in Orlando, Fla. The whole project is expected to cost $187 million. 2. Vancouver (Wash.) Clinic broke ground on a $70 mil- lion medical office building with an ASC Feb. 9. 3. Jacksonville, Fla.-based Jax Spine & Pain Centers broke ground on a $25 million surgery center and medical office building in Jacksonville Feb. 17. 4. King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services is developing a $69 million ASC as part of a $375 million hospital in Washington, D.C. 5. Vancouver Clinic and healthcare real estate developer PMB broke ground March 17 on their joint venture, a $75 million clinic in Vancouver, Wash. 6. An unnamed for-profit, private practice healthcare company and real estate developer Enclave are planning a $26 million facility in West Fargo, N.D. 7. Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente is building a $25 million facility with an ASC in Woodbridge, Va. n 4 ASC closures in 2021 By Patsy Newitt F inancial decline and contract expiration were two reasons for ASC closures in the first quarter of 2021. Four ASC closures announced so far this year: 1. Santa Rosa-based Northern California Medical As- sociates closed May 1, laying off 26 physicians and 151 employees. The group cited natural disasters and financial decline over the last three years as reasons for the closure. 2. Advanced Pain Management, a Wisconsin-based chain of pain management practices and surgery cen- ters, shut down several locations last year. The company closed six locations in March and four more from Sept. 22 to Oct. 31. 3. In February, four solo primary care physician practices in Shelburne, Vt., reported plans to close their practices. Two of the physicians are retiring, and two are joining larger organizations. 4. Gilford, N.H.-based Advanced Orthopaedic Special- ists closed in March after its service agreement with Laconia, N.H.-based Lakes Regional General Hospital ended and wasn't renewed. The organizations had a service agreement dating back to 2004 but were unable to reach a new agreement. n 2% Medicare pay cut for physicians delayed until 2022 By Laura Dyrda T he 2 percent Medicare pay cut for physicians has been put on hold through the end of the year, according to a report from the American Medical Association. President Joe Biden signed a bill into law April 15 that extended the moratorium on Medicare pay cuts through Dec. 31. The previous moratorium was set to expire April 1 and was temporarily delayed while Con- gress voted on the bill. Later this year, legislators may also take steps to avoid a 4 percent Medicare pay cut scheduled for Jan. 1, 2022, which was enacted to offset the costs of the American Rescue Plan economic relief package, according to the AMA's report. n Maine HHS board rejects $14M ASC proposal By Carly Behm A proposed ASC from Lewistown, Maine-based Central Maine Healthcare won't get a recom- mendation for a certificate of need, The Times Record reported April 7. Maine's Department of Health and Human Services divi- sion of licensing and certification recommended reject- ing the proposed $14 million ASC, which would be in Topsham. Officials said Central Maine Healthcare hasn't shown the economic feasibility or public need for the center. A review also showed the health system couldn't prove the ASC wouldn't negatively affect the quality of care by existing providers in the area, they said. Central Maine Healthcare suspended the application process, and said it will resume it later this year. It has up to a year to reactivate a review of the proposed ASC. n