There are a variety of surgeon benefits from office-based surgery. These include increased...
Office-based surgery is paving the way for a new era in ophthalmology. With a dynamic blend of safety, efficiency, surgeon autonomy, and patient-centered care, this model is increasingly being adopted as a forward-thinking alternative to traditional surgery centers. iOR Partners’ Alex Jacobe, BSHA, COA, OSA sat down with Guido Piquette, host of the Ophthalmology Experience Podcast to discuss office-based surgery.
The Vision Behind Office-Based Surgery
Office-based surgery enables a seamless and personalized experience without sacrificing surgical integrity. By performing surgeries in a familiar clinical space, you integrate care across diagnostics, treatment, and recovery.
From ensuring streamlined scheduling to crafting a serene, patient-centric atmosphere, office-based setups offer unparalleled control over the surgical process.
Why Office-Based Surgery is Taking the Lead
At its core, office-based surgery delivers value across three key stakeholders:
- Patients: A familiar and comfortable environment, shorter wait times, and immediate post-surgery care result in a stress-free process.
- Physicians: A more engaged surgical workflow with greater autonomy over procedures, scheduling, and outcomes.
- Payors: Lower procedural costs without compromising care quality, supported by data that establishes safety and efficacy.
This trifecta of benefits aligns the interests of all parties, making office-based surgery an exciting prospect.
Trust in Safety, Backed by Science
One of the biggest concerns many surgeons have when they consider office-based surgery is safety. Is it safe? Will patients be as well-cared for as they are in a traditional ASC or hospital?
IOR Partners collects data on cases performed in iOR Suites as part of our accreditation program. Data on nearly 100,000 cases show that office-based surgery is not only safe but also equally effective when adhering to stringent protocols. iOR Suites maintain the same high standards for sterility, equipment, and compliance as hospitals or ASCs.
Accrediting bodies like Quad A and The Joint Commission provide thorough evaluations and ensure compliance with industry standards. By achieving accreditation, practices can confidently assure patients and payors of their commitment to excellence.
Alex elaborated, “we create standards in the office space, very similar to the ASC. We do work with accrediting bodies to have that compliance piece. All of our OBS’s are ran in a manner that follow the same guidelines as a surgery center scaled down for ophthalmology.”
Elevating the Patient Experience
The convenience and comfort of office-based surgery cannot be overstated, both for surgeons and patients.
For patients, there's a significant reduction in stress. Familiar staff, shorter waiting periods, and the absence of hospital protocols, like IV sedation, make the entire process more approachable. Using oral sedation such as Valium helps patients feel relaxed without the need for invasive measures.
“We have some doctors that start off with IV sedation and very quickly move to oral after realizing that patients are much more relaxed and compliant. They don't move during the procedure, and I think that once you see that the first few times, you rethink your approach to anesthesia. ”
For surgeons, it’s about control. You control the schedule, the environment, and the patient experience. There’s no waiting for an ASC time slot or competing with other specialties. Perhaps most significantly, you carve out the operational flexibility to meet patient demand—increasing surgical cases, particularly during seasonal high-demand like end of year.
Reimbursements
One of the most frequent questions we encounter is, “How do we make office-based surgery financially feasible?”
The good news is there are multiple pathways to reimbursement. While independent payors and Medicare Advantage plans already recognize and reimburse for office-based surgery, additional options like enhanced professional fees or specific office-based procedure codes (e.g., for cataract surgery) are in active consideration.
Medicare, is exploring the establishment of standardized reimbursement codes for office-based procedures, offering a compelling step forward for practices looking to implement this emerging model. Practices can also focus on premium or elective cases to ensure financial sustainability during early adoption phases.
The Growing Popularity of Office-Based Surgery
The numbers speak for themselves. Currently, an estimated 3% of cataract surgeries are performed in office-based settings—but that number is climbing fast as practices and payors recognize the benefits. Over the coming years, experts project exponential growth in adoption, with office-based procedures becoming a critical solution to meet increasing patient demands.
Pioneering Practices Share Their Success
Take it from practices that have made the leap into office-based surgery. Those equipped with these state-of-the-art surgical suites are already experiencing radically improved patient satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Steps to Transitioning into Office-Based Surgery
If you’re considering adopting an office-based surgery model, here are some vital factors to evaluate before taking the leap:
- Evaluate Your Space: Ensure your clinic has the physical capacity for a surgical suite or consider a nearby expansion.
- Understand Your Payor Mix: Research payor guidelines in your region and assess the viability of reimbursements with your existing patient base.
- Crunch the Numbers: Map out initial costs against the potential revenue generated from premium procedures.
- Ensure Accreditation Standards: Partner with accrediting bodies to meet compliance requirements for safety and quality assurance.
- Learn From Your Peers: Visit practices already succeeding with office-based surgery. Observing their workflows and patient experiences firsthand can prove invaluable.
The Future is in Your Hands
Office-based surgery represents an innovative solution for the evolving needs of today’s ophthalmologists and patients. It combines safety, autonomy, and financial opportunity with an enhanced patient experience, enabling practices to thrive in a competitive healthcare landscape.
If you’re ready to take control of your surgical future, start exploring how office-based surgery can transform your practice. With proven benefits and increasing momentum across the industry, now is the time to plan for transition. Take our feasibility analysis to evaluate your practice for office-based surgery.
