Here are five things to know:
1. Iowa requires surgery center owners to obtain a certificate of need before building a center. Dr. Birchansky was denied permission four times by the State Health Facilities Council before finally receiving approval.
2. Dr. Birchansky plans to open the outpatient eye center next to his clinic, Eye Laser & Cosmetic Institute.
3. The CON approval comes one month after Dr. Birchansky joined plaintiffs at the Institute for Justice in Virginia to file a lawsuit against Iowa’s CON process, calling it unconstitutional.
4. Dr. Birchansky previously performed his outpatient eye surgeries at a facility he jointly owned with Cedar Rapids-based UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital; however, the hospital left the partnership in 2004 and Dr. Birchansky filed for the CON.
5. When the outpatient center opens, Dr. Birchansky plans to continue performing cataract surgeries at surrounding critical access hospitals where he currently performs procedures.
More articles on surgery centers:
How this California ASC makes limiting wrong-site surgeries and infections a priority
Tampa Surgery Center suffers data breach: 5 things to know
Florida’s 1st freestanding ASC is closing: 4 key notes
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.