Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/624121
Independent Practice, Bundled Payments & Medicare Reimbursement — Key Thoughts on GI Centers in 2016 By Laura Dyrda e landscape for gastroenterologists is constantly changing as the healthcare environment evolves. But there is still substantial benefit for GI physicians out- side hospital employment in the future. Healthcare is Barreling Toward Integration — 5 Key Thoughts on Where ASCs Fit By Laura Dyrda e best specialties and procedures for ambulatory sur- gery centers in the future will be the traditionally inpa- tient cases leaving the hospital for an outpatient setting. Orthopedic total joint replacements, spinal surgeries and bariatric surgery are a few examples. Minimally invasive procedures and advances in anesthesia and pain manage- ment allow physicians across the country to perform these cases in an ASC, and ASCs are waiting with open arms. e ambulatory surgery center in- dustry continues to evolve as po- litical, economic and regulatory changes swily turn the tide of the industry. ere were several ASCs opening, closing, merging and form- ing joint ventures in 2015 with key specialties including orthopedics, spine surgery, gastroenterology, oph- thalmology and pain management. ere are around 5,464 Medicare- certified ASCs in the United States and around 25 percent to 30 percent of ASCs are owned or managed by multi- facility chains, according to MedPAC 2015 data. Around 20 percent to 25 percent of ASCs have some hospital ownership, according to the VMG Health Intellimarker ASC Benchmark- ing study. Approximately 35 percent of ASCs are located in certificate-of-need states, as listed in Medicare's Provider of Services data file. e number of ASCs in the United States has remained relatively flat over the past few years. But changing pressures in healthcare could make a difference going forward. "Generally, ASCs are underappreci- ated in the world of healthcare and the role they could play," said Luke Lambert, CEO of Ambulatory Surgi- cal Centers of America. "However, there are certain payers taking ad- vantage of the low cost, high quality setting and driving cases to the ASC. In many markets, the local hospital may be enormously dominant. In those situations, having an inde- pendent ASC can be a check on the dominance of power." continued on page 18 continued on page 47 continued on page 6 100 New Outpatient Surgery Centers in 2015 By Allison Sobczak Inside the issue: CMS Cuts 2016 Colonoscopy Pay How the Medicare cuts next year could impact GI physicians and practices long term p. 26 20 Statistics on ASC Staff Hours Per Case The 20 key statistics for ASCs calculating staff hours per case. p. 12 How do bundled payments affect ASCs? Key concepts on how to maximize bundled payments for the most beneficial results. p. 12 Healthcare Integration: Where do ASCs Fit? How ASCs can over- come a challenging environment to provide the best care in the age of integration. p. 18 Becker's 14th Annual Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine June 9-11, 2016 at Swissôtel, Chicago Don't miss 124 Physician Speakers and 117 Sessions Keynote Speakers: Lou Holtz & Tucker Carlson For more information, visit www.beckersspine.com or call (800) 417-2035. SAVE THE DATE INSIDE: Becker's 14th Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine Brochure January/February 2016 • Vol. 2016 No. 1