• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

Outlook good for ASCs in NJ and SC

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, November 2, 2004

Updating two stories from the Oct. 5 issue of Ambulatory Surgery Regulatory Update, there's potentially good news for ambulatory surgery centers in the states of New Jersey and South Carolina.
 
According to Outpatient Surgery magazine, recent pieces of legislature and state controls intended to limit ASCs within the two states are currently facing some opposition, with the hopes that newly proffered amendments to the proposed limits will have a chance of lessening the negative impacts on ASCs.

In New Jersey, a new 3.5% gross tax levied on ASCs this summer has seen a state Senate bill launched in opposition. While most agree that bill S1939 isn't likely to pass, the New Jersey Freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Association is currently looking to negotiate some relief from the New Jersey Hospital Assciation and key state legislators. Talks are centered around such possibilities as the state providing credits for charity care provided in outpatient facilities, credits for operating expenses, and assurances that the 3.5% tax is applied to to the facility fee only, and not physician-generated revenue.
 
Meanwhile, in South Carolina, the Department of Health and Environmental Control rejected a provision in the state's 2004 health plan, which would have banned the issuance of certifiates of need for ASCs. This delays the much-feared statewide moratorium on ASCs, relegating the matter to South Carolina's Health Planning Committee, who will meet on the issue December 1, and present their findings to the DHEC sometime after the first of the year. Until then, certificate of need applications will remain open to review.
 

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive