ASCs get boost in Georgia

Just yesterday, we got news of a decision which could endanger the future of ambulatory surgery centers in New Jersey. Today, meanwhile, we learn that things might get a lot easier for ASCs in Georgia. Yesterday, the state's Department of Community Health (DCH) agreed to rule changes which would make it easier to build surgeon-owned outpatient surgery centers.

The changes reclassify general surgeons as a single specialty, allowing them to avoid going through the state's Certificate of Need process when they want to set up an ASC. Georgia hospitals are distressed by the change, complaining that ASCs are already luring away their highest-margin business--and their lobbyists are already beginning an effort to get the state legislature to override the DCH's decision.

To learn more about the new rules:
-read this Atlanta Business Chronicle article [1]

PLUS: Over at Managed Care Matters, blogger Joe Paduda offers another perspective on recent ASC developments--that regulating them out of existence wouldn't be a great idea. Blog [2]

Related Articles:
NJ decision would shut down state's surgery centers. Report [3]
NY accuses ASCs of collecting overpayments. Report [4]
Number of PA ASCs keeps growing, but profits level off. Report [5]
CMS updating rules for ASC Medicare participation. Report [6]
Doctors sue HealthSouth over surgery centers sale. Report [7]
Profits way up for Penn. ASCs. Report [8]
Georgia physicians battle for looser ASC regs. Report [9]
Ohio bill would force hospitals to have 24x7 EDs. Report [10]