Attention All ASCs: 4 Major Dilemmas of 2012

Due to a variety of political and factors related to growth trends within the industry, ASCs must consider how to resolve the four primary issues at hand so as to promote the longevity of small-scale surgery centers.

1. As a result of inadequate Medicare reimbursement to ASCs, both the Medicare program and patients will be faced with higher costs. Efforts to reduce the cost of Medicare may have a detrimental effect on the adequacy of allotted Medicare reimbursement. Just in the five-year span from 2007-2012, Medicare reimbursement rates have increased by 27%!

2. Hospital’s increased employment of physicians is interfering with surgery centers’ ability to recruit high-quality surgeon investors and utilizers.

3. The number of surgeons and surgeon investors per capita is dropping, and the average age of surgeons is rising.

4. ASCs need to persuade Congress to allocate increased funding toward private ASC surgery centers due to their higher, if not equal, quality of care in comparison with larger public hospitals. The future of ASCs is strongly correlated with its level of political support.