NJAASC crafted this legislation to help ‘one room’- registered centers in New Jersey, in light of issues that had come up over the past several years.
“Since the enactment of the ‘Codey Law’ in 2009, the healthcare landscape in New Jersey has changed dramatically,” said Jeff Shanton, Chair Government Affairs, NJAASC. “There has been concern in the legislature regarding the quality and regulation of New Jersey’s registered practices. This bill seeks to encourage investment and improve physical plant standards in registered surgical practices, as well as enhancing quality and patient safety, while stimulating provider integration.”
The bill allows for the conversion of registered practices into licensed facilities, where there is no increase in the number of operating rooms. Currently New Jersey has a moratorium on new licensed center construction, unless with a hospital partner, or if plans had been previously submitted.
The bill also allows for multiple registered surgical practices to combine and establish a licensed facility, and for a licensed facility to combine with a registered surgical practice and expand the scope of services offered.
“Consistent with the existing Codey Law, this bill would not increase the total number of operating rooms, but encourages conversion into licensed facilities, investment in them, and consolidation of ambulatory surgery settings. It is important to understand that this bill does not mandate these changes, but is an option, so if registered practices wish to continue as they are, that is up to them,” notes Mr. Shanton.
More articles on surgery centers:
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5 legislative changes impacting ASCs
