Physician-ownership of ambulatory surgery centers linked to higher volume of surgeries.

Hollingsworth JM, Ye Z, Strope SA, Krein SL, Hollenbeck AT, Hollenbeck BK. Physician-ownership of ambulatory surgery centers linked to higher volume of surgeries. Health affairs (Project Hope). 2010 Apr 1; 29(4):683-9.

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Abstract:

Many physicians confronting declining reimbursement from insurers have invested in ambulatory surgery centers, where they perform outpatient surgical and diagnostic procedures. An ownership stake entitles physicians to a share of the facility''s profits from self-referrals. This arrangement can create a potential conflict of interest between physicians'' financial incentives and patients'' clinical needs. Our analysis of Florida data for five common procedures revealed a significant association between physician-ownership and higher surgical volume. Possible remedies include revising federal law to require disclosure of investment arrangements; reducing facility payments to dilute ownership incentives; and reforms (such as accountable care organizations) that discourage an excessive rate of procedures.