For more than a year, an independent physician group has challenged the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems and St. Albans, Va.-based Northwestern Medical Center over state certificate-of-need approval for Green Mountain Surgical Center in Colchester, Va., according to Vtidgger.
Here are five things to know:
1. Both the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems and Northwestern Medical Center argue the surgery center would negatively impact the healthcare system, as the surgery center would offer the same services the two hospitals offer. Jill Olson, vice president of policy for the hospital association, said by offering duplicate services, the center would increase costs.
2. In the proposal, the surgery center says it would offer basic surgeries as well as knee surgeries, shoulder surgeries, hysterectomies, certain pelvic exams, colonoscopies and spinal pain treatments.
3. In the regulatory filings, the surgery center investors said the center would bring in 14 percent of patient surgeries from University of Vermont Medical Center and 3 percent from Northwestern Medical Center.
4. Those supporting the surgery center said it would improve care for patients by reducing wait times and saving patients money as independent physicians do not bill for facility fees.
5. Physician inventors hope to obtain a permit from the state by December and open the surgery center in 2018.
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