The fundamental changes in the Medicare reimbursement scheme, coupled with the increasing pressure to streamline healthcare delivery systems, have given rise to a dramatic increase in the development of Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) over the past twenty years. In 1982, the year Medicare first approved reimbursement for ASC procedures, there were approximately 293 ASCs in existence. Recent surveys indicate that there are over 2700 ASCs performing more than 5.7 million procedures annually and that nearly 70 percent of all surgeries are now conducted on an outpatient basis.

One of the key financial incentives underlying the conversion of physician office practices to ASCs is the additional Medicare reimbursement received in the form of facility fees that are not paid in a physician office setting. Hospitals also have found it advantageous to convert their outpatient departments to ASCs. Some of the advantages of ambulatory surgery are reduced costs, more effective use of physicians' time and greater bed availability.

Murer Consultants expertise in ASC development includes:

• Structuring physician acquisitions/developments to comply with relevant Anti-Kickback Safe Harbors, including joint ventures between physician groups and hospitals
• Feasibility Studies/Forecasting Reports, including comparisons of Medicare reimbursement under the Outpatient PPS and ASC Payment Rates
• Medicare/Medicaid Enrollment and Certification
• State Licensure and Architectural Surveys
• Development of specialized compliance policies that ensure compliance with the Medicare conditions of participation and further, address specific ASC billing concerns
• Preparation for accreditation surveys by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF)