Becker's ASC Review

16 ASC MANAGEMENT What the ASC industry will look like in 10 years By Patsy Newitt Four ASC leaders joined Becker's to discuss what the ASC industry will look like in 10 years. Editor's note: ese responses were edited lightly for clarity and length. Shakeel Ahmed, MD. Gastroenterologist and CEO of Atlas Surgical Group (Fairview, Ill.): Over the course of the next decade, I am anticipating that ASCs will experience substantial expansion. It is projected that the majority, if not the entirety, of elective surgical procedures will transition to an outpatient model. I am also sure that within the next few years, hospitals will have thoroughly integrated and embraced the ambulatory surgical model into their operational paradigms. Christopher Blanchard, DO. Co-Medical Director of Resurgens Spine Center (Atlanta). I think the 10-year future of the ASC industry will vary largely based on the region. We are seeing more and more cases move to ASCs with better outcomes at significantly lower costs. In many states, hospital systems are fighting this migration with certificate-of-need laws. In areas with no or favorable CON laws, we will see more cases moved to ASCs. I believe in areas where CON laws are in place, we will still see a continued migration of cases but at a lower rate. is will ultimately lead to increased costs for the patients and healthcare system. omas Feldman. CEO of Center for Health, ASC (Peoria, Ill.): Busy. e ASC industry will be incredibly active 10 years from now. Patients who are otherwise compromised or have comorbidities will still need to have procedures done in an inpatient setting. ose notwithstanding, there will continue to be a significant shi in both cardiology and neurology specialties towards ASCs. Cost and efficiency will be the primary driving forces for change. Shailesh Patel, MD. Pain Management Specialist at Lowcountry Orthopaedics (Charleston, S.C.): Hopefully insurance companies will negotiate higher rates for the ASC and encourage patients to go to ASC for surgeries. At the same time, insurers need to lower the reimbursement rates for the hospital. Educating the patient population is so important nowadays. n The biggest misconceptions about ASCs By Patsy Newitt F rom the number of procedures to safety, four ASC leaders joined Becker's to discuss the biggest misconceptions about surgery centers. Editor's note: These responses were edited lightly for clarity and length. Shakeel Ahmed, MD. Gastroenterologist and CEO of Atlas Surgical Group (Fairview, Ill.): The notion that ASCs represent an easy avenue for financial gain is a misconception. These entities are encumbered by substantial regulatory obligations, in addition to significant operational expenditures and overhead. Concurrently, there is a discernible trend of diminishing reimbursements from insurance entities. Collectively, these factors culminate in a scenario where, in numerous instances, the profit margins are constrained at the least and nonexistent at worst. Christopher Blanchard, DO. Co-Medical Director of Resurgens Spine Center (Atlanta). One of the biggest misconceptions about ASCs is the scope of surgery that is able to be performed in an ASC setting. For decades, ASCs have been relegated to performing more minor cases like arthroscopies, foot and ankle and hand surgeries. Now we are seeing higher acuity cases such as total joint replacement and spine surgery be done in an ASC setting with great outcomes and lower overall cost. Thomas Feldman. CEO of Center for Health, ASC (Peoria, Ill.): A common misconception is that patients are unaware of how many procedures can be performed at ASCs. They think, for example, that they need to go to a hospital for their total joint replacement surgery, or another major operation. In almost every instance, the cost to both the patient and insurance carrier is significantly lower [at ASCs]. Shailesh Patel, MD. Pain Management Specialist at Lowcountry Orthopaedics (Charleston, S.C.): The biggest misconception is that hospitals are always the best place. As a matter of fact, ASCs are as safe as hospitals, as well as cheaper and more convenient. n "e notion that ASCs represent an easy avenue for financial gain is a misconception. ese entities are encumbered by substantial regulatory obligations, in addition to significant operational expenditures and overhead." — Shakeel Ahmed, MD

• Cover