Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/759093
15 ASC MANAGEMENT outpatient departments, and ASCs can reduce a patient's out-of-pocket costs by more than $5 billion each year through lower deductibles and coinsurance payments. Despite the money surgery centers can save the healthcare system, hospitals oen dominate the marketplace and claim ASCs offer du- plicate services. "e legislation [as it currently stands] is counterproductive and will continue to drive up costs," Ms. Rahm notes. "It continues to put the hospitals in a position of power of directing cases where they still want them to go. It does not address the need of lowering costs that ASCs can provide for payers or patients." Luke Lambert, CEO of Ambulatory Surgery Centers of America, says, "I think it is important for the Department of Public Health to defend the public interest in preserving quality and cost-effective care rather than limiting competition for hospitals." MAASC published a regulatory alert citing the many cost savings and other benefits ASCs offer, noting the state's Health Policy Commission and the Center for Health Information lacks evidence illustrating how ASCs and the healthcare system could benefit from having a hospital partner. Rather, the analysis found, "ere is mounting evidence that increas- es in market consolidation are not typically associated with increases in the quality of care, and may even be associated with decreased quality." In the state, hospitals are facing more competition as urgent care facili- ties and retail clinics flood the industry. An HPC report, "Community Hospitals at a Crossroads," found within the last eight years, the num- ber of urgent care centers has increased from 10 centers to 85 centers, with retail clinics also growing from three clinics to 56 clinics. How- ever, the number of ASCs operating in the state has decreased over time due to the DON moratorium. Additionally, the decrease is also partly attributed to hospitals purchasing existing ASCs and converting them into HOPDs. As various studies have illustrated, a compromise may best serve the community and the entire healthcare system. MAASC ends its regula- tory alert stating, "ASCs are not the problem — they are part of the solution!" n Your opportunity to get knowledgeable counsel. We send physicians, nurses, administrators – professionals who live in the same world you do. That's why more than 6,000 organizations have chosen us. • We are the leader in ambulatory accreditation. • Our Standards are nationally-recognized. • Our surveys are consultative not just a checklist. Improving health care quality through accreditation Contact us to learn more 847-853-6060 • info@aaahc.org • www.aaahc.org A A A H C A C C R E D I T A T I O N { } "Our hope in this process is to have hospitals and ASCs on a level playing field." — Greg DeConciliis, president of MAASC