With outpatient surgical volume expected to grow 15 percent in the U.S. in the next decade, both health systems and physicians are creating outpatient strategies, according to Birmingham, Ala.-based Practice Partners in Healthcare.
Practice Partners outlined the four phases of establishing an ASC on the company's blog:
1. The first phase includes introducing the project through meeting with physicians to discuss their needs and goals, as well as discussing competition and regulatory hurdles.
2. Next, a feasibility study should be conducted, which includes executing a confidentiality agreement, collection of CPT codes and payer mix of physician investors and identifying potential locations for the ASC.
3. After the feasibility study, drafts of partnership documents should be submitted to investors, which include management, billing and operating agreements.
4. The last phase includes finalizing the site selection, choosing an architect and contractor, as well as finishing the floor plan and beginning construction.