Date: 02/14/2012
Final
CO Ambulatory Surgery Center Assoc
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
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11:41 AM -- CO Ambulatory Surgery Center Assoc
Dan Connolly, Ross Alexander, and Rosalie Einspahr, Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, introduced themselves. The committee was provided an informational packet (Attachment A). Mr. Connolly stated that there are over 100 ambulatory surgery centers operating in Colorado. Mr. Connolly explained the types of services that are provided at the ambulatory surgery centers and some of the differences between ambulatory surgery centers and hospitals, including the costs differences. Mr. Connolly discussed the Medicaid reimbursement rate for ambulatory surgery centers and how ambulatory surgery centers could be utilized for cost-containment for Medicaid.
11:50 AM
Ms. Einspahr discussed the Medicaid pilot project to increase the utilization of ambulatory surgery centers for Medicaid, which increased the Medicaid rate paid on certain procedures. Ms. Einspahr, Mr. Alexander, and Mr. Connolly responded to questions about how cost savings are achieved if reimbursement rates are raised for ambulatory surgery centers and why ambulatory surgery centers are not used more often for Medicaid cases.
12:01 PM
Chris Skagan, Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, explained how the cost savings would occur even if reimbursement rates are increased. Mr. Alexander responded to questions about the different types of ownership arrangements that exist for ambulatory surgery centers. Mr. Alexander and Ms. Einspahr responded to questions about the costs and Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain procedures in hospitals.
12:07 PM
Mr. Alexander discussed the Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association wish list, which includes increasing input and involvement, decreasing regulation, increasing understanding of the differences between ambulatory surgery centers and hospitals, and decreasing the gap in payment rates for ambulatory surgery centers and hospitals.
12:10 PM
Mr. Alexander, Mr. Connolly, and Ms. Einspahr responded to questions about the relationship ambulatory surgery centers have with private insurance companies, whether a federal Medicaid block grant would allow more flexibility for ambulatory surgery center reimbursement rates, whether the ambulatory surgery centers have involvement with the all-payer claims database, the regulations related to physician ownership of ambulatory surgery centers, and whether the ambulatory surgery centers will be providing services under the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange.
12:19 PM
The committee recessed.