To survive in independent medicine, you must control where the surgery happens. But partnering with a hospital might be your biggest mistake.

Neal Goldstein breaks down exactly why medical group practices need to own their Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). He reveals why controlling the site of service protects your revenue, why single-specialty centers outperform multi-specialty ones, and how to navigate Certificate of Need (CON) laws without surrendering control to hospital systems.

What you will learn:

● Why controlling the site of service is the ultimate key to surviving as an independent surgical group.
● How owning the surgery center directly meets the intent of the ASC safe harbor under the Anti-Kickback Statute.
● The hidden operational and financial cost of bringing outside specialties into your ASC to hedge risk.
● Why group practice owners must agree not to invest in competing surgery centers to ensure long-term success.
● How to successfully navigate Certificate of Need (CON) applications without needing a hospital partner.
● The financial advantage of buying and retrofitting an aging ASC instead of building a new facility from scratch.
● Why building a surgery center is highly profitable and competitive even if you operate in a non-CON state.

Timestamps:
00:00 — Why controlling the site of service saves independent medicine
04:00 — Structuring ASC ownership inside the group practice
09:28 — Why single-specialty ASCs are more profitable
13:59 — Non-competes and loyalty among group practice owners
17:21 — How to obtain a CON without a hospital partner
24:58 — Buying an existing ASC vs. building a new facility
28:36 — ASC valuation and strategy in non-CON states

Neal Goldstein is an experienced healthcare attorney, legal strategist, and board member specializing in medical practice structures. He served as the structural engineer for the founding of the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute and has provided guidance on healthcare governance through his work on hospital system boards. His work focuses on navigating the Stark Law, corporate practice of medicine doctrines, and professional risk management

Website: https://www.pfs-law.com/
Website: https://www.goldsteingrouppractice.com/
Website: https://nealtgoldstein.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-t-goldstein-841aa652/

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Disclaimer
This episode is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice.

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