6 questions ASC administrators should consider before adding a new procedure

Adding new procedures can yield great success for surgery centers and bolster their bottom line. However, there are several considerations administrators should weigh before taking on a new service line. JoAnn Vecchio, CEO and administrator of Amherst-based Ambulatory Surgery Center of Western New York, discusses the six metrics the ASC uses before adding a new procedure to its repertoire of offerings.

Note: This conversation was lightly edited for style and clarity.

Question: What metrics does ASC of Western New York employ to see if procedures would be a good fit for your ASC?
               
JoAnn Vecchio: The metrics we apply are:
•    Is the procedure currently on our fee schedules?
•    What is the reimbursement versus the cost of the case?
•    What is the risk associated with the case?
•    Is the surgeon proficient in the procedure?
•    Where is [the surgeon] currently performing these cases? Is it new revenue?
•    If [we can expect] new revenue, what is the total projected final revenue?

Q:  What are some procedures your ASC has added within the last year or two that has yielded financial gains? What procedures will you consider moving forward?

JV: Our surgery center has recently added unicompartmental knees and total joints. These are safe and very profitable. We have also added pain management injections with fluoroscopy that are very profitable. [In the future], we are looking toward adding total joints and spine.

Learn more from Ms. Vecchio at the 24th Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs in October 2017. Click here for more information.

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