ASC Industry Leader to Know: Joe Zasa of ASD Management

Written by Rachel Fields | July 26, 2010

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As the co-founder and managing partner of ASD Management, Joe Zasa focuses on turning around existing surgery centers and helping physicians and hospitals develop new ASCs. An expert in surgery center profitability, Mr. Zasa is keenly aware of some of the ways ASCs fail: by performing non-profitable cases, blindly accepting physician coding and waiting until after surgery to collect co-pays.

In a July interview with Becker's ASC Review, he said ASCs should set a high goal for front desk collections and plan to collect at least 85 percent of the amount eligible from patients prior to the day of surgery. He also recommended involving ASC staff in improvement ideas and creating a monetary reward for the best ideas. "The purpose of the bonus plan is to simulate ownership in your ASC and incentivize the staff to think and act like owners," he said.

Mr. Zasa sees many ASCs struggle financially because of limited funding from lenders. "The global reform seems to limit providers, which puts pressure on ASCs," he said. He emphasized the obstacles to obtaining capital funding, including higher down payments and personal guarantees.

Prior to founding ASD Management, formerly Woodrum ASD, Mr. Zasa served as corporate counsel for Premier Ambulatory Systems, where he was responsible for acquisitions and physician development. He also served as regional director of surgery operations for ProSurg, a division of American Ophthalmic.

Mr. Zasa is a former president of the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Association and continues to serve on the board. He is also a board member of the ASC Advocacy Committee and a frequent speaker on the topics of ASC development and management.

Read more on Joe Zasa:

-3 Small Changes for Big Improvements

Read more on notable surgery center leaders:

-ASC Industry Leader to Know: Dr. Brent Lambert of Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America
-ASC Industry Leader to Know: Donna Slosburg of the ASC Quality Collaboration

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