Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q: Will this close the local hospital?
A: It is highly unlikely that the hospital will close. Yes, the surgical facility may take business away from the existing facility but it will put physicians back in control of patient care and clinical issues.
Q: What is the community response?
A: Patients are extremely satisfied with the level of focused care and attention. The local hospital will compete with improved services. Thus, the employers provide their employees with freedom of choice for like services in a competitive environment. All around - the patient wins!
Q: Why do I need a corporate partner?
A: The benefits are many. NSH Management has an excellent track record of improving existing ASC and surgical hospital operations. Whether developing your surgical facility from the ground up or converting your existing ASC into a surgical hospital, NSH as your equity partner takes the responsibility of keeping the surgical facility in compliance with government regulations (EMTALA, HIPAA, OIG, etc), cost reporting, billing, collections, employee benefits, information systems, marketing, accreditation, and the remaining business aspects of the surgical facility operations. Our fee is reasonable.
Q: What type of control do physicians have in the ASC or hospital?
A: Physicians are often marginalized in their dealings with their local hospital. NSH firmly believes that it is essential that physician owners remain active and involved in shaping the policies and clinical management of the facility.
Q: What about Stark laws?
A: Surgeons can own either an ASC or a hospital under existing safe harbors.
Q: How many cases does this type of project require?
A: Typically, we look to have at least 2,500 elective outpatient cases and an additional 500 elective inpatient cases forecasted if the project is a hospital. However, these numbers can vary based on the type of cases, local reimbursement, and physician preferences.
Q: What about pre and post-op consults by non-surgeons?
A: The facility will expand the medical staff to include the primary care physicians, hospitalists, internists, and cardiologists for the patient's care prior to and after their surgery. This is especially common in our hospital operations.
Q: Isn't operating an ASC or a hospital very complex?
A: The development and operations of a surgical facility, especially a hospital, are very complex. NSH, as manager of the facility, handles those complexities for the physicians. NSH brings expertise in facility design and construction, state-of-the-art ASC or hospital information systems, formal compliance programs, policies and procedures, third party payor contracting, coding and billing, marketing and the financial strength to operate the facility in an efficient, quality oriented manner.
Q: What ancillary services are within the hospital?
A: Typically, the hospital will provide basic laboratory and radiology services. We will request information to evaluate adding MRI or CT capabilities as part of the project.
Q: How long does it take to open an ASC or hospital?
A: The variables are many, however once the partnership is formed and a properly zoned site is identified, the hospital should open within 15-18 months. ASCs are typically developed in less time.
Q: How long can I keep my patients?
A: Since the facility is licensed as a hospital, there are no limitations on how long a patient can stay in the hospital. Our average length of stay for the surgical hospital is 2.5 days.
Q: What happens if a patient needs more extensive care than provided by this facility?
A: In the event of a medical condition arising that the ASC or hospital is not suited to handle, we will transfer the patient to a nearby hospital that is equipped to provide the necessary treatment or care that the patient needs.
Q: What is the next step?
A: NSH will perform a feasibility analysis at no charge, if an interested core of physicians exist. We will examine possible physician participation and case expectations, area specific reimbursement, land options, and local competition. NSH will then review the results with you and other interested parties.
Q: What is a surgical hospital?
A: An NSH surgical hospital is focused on providing inpatient and outpatient surgical services primarily for orthopedic, spine, pain management physicians and their patients in an ASC-like setting. The facility is dedicated to providing a pleasant and friendly environment with customer service and the operating efficiency of a surgery center.
Q: What is the local hospital response?
A: The local hospital is not likely to welcome this new form of competition. Their responses will vary from recruiting new surgeons to improving its own services to seeking a partnering opportunity
|