Mass ASCs can offer more procedures without hospital affiliation

Editor's Note

New Massachusetts (Mass) state regulations approved January 11 allow freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to apply for permission to expand or offer new lines of procedures without being affiliated with an acute care hospital, the January 19 Enterprise News reports.

The new regulations lift a 20-year moratorium on new outpatient surgical capacity and allow ASCs to meet market needs, according to the report.

More patients in Massachusetts could soon have surgery outside of traditional hospitals. More patients in Massachusetts could soon have surgery outside of traditional hospitals. Under a set of new state medical regulations approved Jan. 11, existing freestanding ambulatory surgery centers will be allowed to apply for permission to expand or offer new lines of patient service without being affiliated with an acute care hospital.