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Battle rages for contracts in Colorado between hospitals and ASCs

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, April 5, 2006

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in Colorado are accusing hospitals of influencing insurers to not contract with their outpatient competitors in exchange for discounted inpatient rates, according to a story in the Denver Business Journal.

"Small-business employees are being locked out of affordable health care services," said Rob Schwartz, executive director of the Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, according to the Denver Business Journal. "It's a pattern, not just here, but across the country."

The hospitals, including HealthOne, Denver's largest hospital system and a primary target of the criticism, have challenged the accusation.

"That pricing is always based on our ASC pricing. It has nothing to do with inpatient," said Len Kalm, HealthOne's senior vice president of managed care, according to the Denver Business Journal. "The guide on this is really the insurance companies."

To view the story, click here.

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