Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1530311
16 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP ASCs' bright future By Patsy Newitt From cost savings to surgical advancements, eight ASC leaders joined Becker's to discuss what's hopeful for the future of ASCs. Question: What makes you hopeful for the future of ASCs? Why? Editor's note: ese responses were edited lightly for clarity and length. Shakeel Ahmed, MD. CEO of Atlas Surgical Group (St. Louis): Our biggest strength is our growing role in providing high-quality, cost-effective healthcare. ASCs offer convenience to patients, quicker recovery times and 3 to 4 times lower costs compared to traditional hospitals, making us increasingly attractive. It is difficult to deny the cost savings of outpatient centers. In addition, I have seen advancements in surgical technology and the rise of minimally invasive procedures over my last twenty years in the field that can be safely performed in ASCs, and I see a continuous expansion in the types of surgeries that can be safely performed here. More and more CPT codes continue to be added to our list. Plus, remember the political climate in medicine. ere is a shi toward value-based care that favors us significantly over our more expensive counterparts. You can't fool all the people all the time. e performance of procedures like simple screening colonoscopies in hospitals is a prime example of abuse of power. ese healthcare wastes are well in the eyes of regulators and policy makers, and the paradigm will continue to shi in favor of ASCs Jitander Dudee, MD. Ophthalmologist at Medical Vision Institute (Lexington, Ky.): My enthusiasm for the future success of ASCs the U.S. is based on these factors: • Cost efficiency: ASCs typically offer lower-cost procedures compared to hospitals, which appeals to patients and payers alike. • Patient preferences: ere is a growing preference for outpatient procedures due to convenience, shorter recovery times and the ability to return home the same day. • Technological advancements: Innovations in surgical techniques and anesthesia have made outpatient surgeries safer and more effective, expanding the range of procedures that can be performed in ASCs. • Regulatory support: Government policies and regulations are increasingly favorable toward ASCs, promoting their growth and integration into the healthcare system. • Increased focus on value-based care: e shi toward value- based care models incentivizes the use of ASCs, which can demonstrate better outcomes at lower costs. • Aging population: As the population ages, the demand for surgical procedures, particularly outpatient ones, is likely to increase. • Expansion of services: Many ASCs are diversifying their offerings to include a wider range of specialties, enhancing their appeal to patients and insurers. • Payer recognition: Insurers are increasingly recognizing the value of ASCs, oen providing better reimbursement rates compared to hospital outpatient departments. What trends are ASC leaders tired of hearing about? By Francesca Mathewes F rom consistently declining reimbursements to inflation and staffing shortages, these are the healthcare trends that ASC leaders told Becker's they're tired of hearing about and want to see action on: Editor's note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length. Suzi Cunningham. Administrator of Advanced Ambulatory Surgery Center. (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.): ASCs need stronger legislative representation to ensure that we can survive in the future. We are being squeezed financially and will not survive if we don't get equal reimbursements as HOPDs. As surgery centers, we do not get the benefit of hospital [group purchasing organization] pricing, nor do we get government help, and our reimbursements are decreasing when our costs to operate have increased substantially. While we can and do save insurance companies an incredible amount of money, and provide more specialized care with better outcomes, we are paid a percentage of what HOPDs receive. This absolutely can't continue and have us survive. And because we don't have the deep pockets, we aren't able to get adequate representation. Honestly, there is nothing more important at this point in time. It should be the topic of conversation. James O'Leary, MD, CEO of RealDocSpeaks: There continues to be a large discrepancy in reimbursement between ASCs and HOPDs. The ASCs are paid 53% of what HOPDs are paid under Medicare. I am tired of hearing politicians justify the significant pay differential for the same procedure. ASCs offer a much better patient experience and value for patients and health plans. We need site-neutral payments and a regulatory structure encouraging physician entrepreneurship and providing the value, quality and innovation patients deserve. Patrick McEneaney. CEO of Northern Illinois Foot and Ankle Specialists (Crystal Lake, Ill.): I think we are all tired of hearing about anesthesia shortages. It is a serious issue in the surgical realm. There are surgery centers that are not functioning at full capacity because of this. I have also seen block times pulled away from doctors because of lack of anesthesia. There needs to be concerted efforts to fix the anesthesia problem by the medical community. It is a knife in the heart to an ASC when cases have to be turned down from lack of anesthesia. n