Ambulatory Surgical Center

An ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is a licensed facility that is not part of a hospital and that may also be Medicaid/Medicare certified. The primary purpose of this type of facility is to provide elective surgical care. The patient is admitted to and discharged from the facility within the same working day. Overnight stays are not permitted.

Initial Licensure

Initial applicants must contact the Agency’s Office of Plans and Construction (850) 412-4477 for compliance with appropriate building code before applying for licensure.  Any application for licensure submitted prior to having a project review will be returned. Applications and supporting forms (see application for checklist) must be submitted at least 60 days but no more than 120 days prior to the anticipated opening date.  As a general rule, an appropriate time to submit a licensure application is when the 100% physical plant inspection is scheduled by the Agency's Office of Plans and Construction. The licensure application fee is $1,608 and the survey/inspection fee is $400. Applications submitted without the appropriate fees will not be accepted. Possession of a license is required prior to providing patient care.

Change of Ownership Licensure

Chapter 408.803, Florida Statutes defines a change of ownership as...(a)  An event in which the licensee sells or otherwise transfers its ownership to a different individual or entity as evidenced by a change in federal employer identification number or taxpayer identification number; or (b)  An event in which 51 percent or more of the ownership, shares, membership, or controlling interest of a licensee is in any manner transferred or otherwise assigned. This paragraph does not apply to a licensee that is publicly traded on a recognized stock exchange. A change solely in the management company or board of directors is not a change of ownership.

A licensure application, supporting forms (see application checklist) and information listed below must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the change of ownership.  The change of ownership application fee is $1,608. Application requirements are similar to initial licensure requirements with addition of statements from the buyer affirming any physical plant deficiencies will be corrected. In addition, an affirmation from the buyer and seller that any outstanding fees owed the State (owed by either party), will be paid, identifying who will pay and when. Documentation signed by the buyer and seller that will substantiate the change of ownership has occurred must be submitted before the application can be approved and license issued in the name of the new licensee.

Licensure Renewal

A licensure application and the supporting forms must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the current license expiration date.  A late fee of $50 per day, up to a maximum of $500 will apply to any application received less than 60 days prior to expiration.    A renewal application will not be accepted if the ambulatory surgical center license is expired.  Expired licenses may be reactivated by applying as an initial applicant.  The renewal application fee is $1,608.
(See ASC fee increase letter.)

Medicare Certification Requirements

Medicare certification for initial enrollment or change of ownership is achieved by adherence to requirements in 42 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 416.  This includes submission of the following to the Agency for Health Care Administration, Hospital and Outpatient Services Unit:

• Medicare Administrative Contractor Choice Form
• Health Insurance Benefits Agreement -- 2 copies required (Form CMS 370)
• Request for certification in Medicare/Medicaid program (Form CMS 377)
• Assurance of Compliance (Form HHS 690)

In addition, a CMS Form 855B must be submitted to the Florida Medicare Administrative Contractor.

Accredited Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Ambulatory Surgical Centers accredited by a national accrediting organization approved by the Agency may be exempt from annual licensing surveys if the accreditation award letter and a copy of the complete accreditation report, including any corrective actions are submitted to the Agency for review. Verification of Medicare deemed status must also be submitted, if the accrediting organization does not include it in the award letter.

License validation surveys are conducted each year by the Agency on a minimum of five percent of the facilities that have received accreditation. Validation surveys are completed within a year from the accreditation organization's survey date. For Additional information on accreditation contact the accrediting organization linked below.

Background Screening

A level 2 background screen is required of the administrator responsible for the day to day operations of the facility and the chief financial officer. Please visit the Agency's background screening web page for additional information regarding vendors, fees, locations etc. Background screens must be repeated every 5 years.

State and Federal Regulations

Forms

Updated February 9, 2012