Ambulatory Surgery Center Definition
"Ambulatory surgical facility" means a freestanding facility, which provides surgical services to patients not requiring hospitalization.
Utah does not explicitly exclude any other facilities from the definition of an ASC in either statute or administrative code. However, it does exclude the following facilities from ASC licensing requirements:
- A dispensary or first aid facility maintained by any commercial or industrial plant, educational institution, or convent
- A health care facility owned or operated by an agency of the United States
- The office of a physician, physician assistant, or dentist whether it is an individual or group practice
- A health care facility established or operated by any recognized church or denomination for the practice of religious tenets administered by mental or spiritual means without the use of drugs, whether gratuitously or for compensation, if it complies with statutes and rules on environmental protection and life safety
- Any health care facility owned or operated by the Department of Corrections
- A residential facility providing 24-hour care
License Requirements
No person or governmental unit acting severally or jointly with any other person, or governmental unit shall establish, conduct, or maintain a health facility in this state without first obtaining a license from the Department.
Newly established ASCs must pay the following fees:
- New provider fee: $747.50
- Initial license fee: $260
- Agency fee: $1,495
License renewal fees for ASCs are as follows:
- Base fee: $520
- Agency fee: $2,990
An additional fee of $130 is charged to health care providers making changes to their existing license.
In addition to civil and criminal penalties, any person owning, establishing, conducting, maintaining, managing, or operating a health care facility in violation of this chapter is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
Certificate of Need
Utah does not have a CON program.
Length of Stay Restriction
Utah provides that "extended recovery care services" provided by an ASC may not exceed 24 hours. "Extended recovery services" means patient care after the initial post-surgery recovery period. "Initial Post-surgery Recovery Period" means patient care no longer than six hours beyond the completion of surgery.
Medical History and Physical Examination
Each patient's medical record shall include a current physical examination and history, including allergies and abnormal drug reactions.
Transfer Agreement
The licensee shall maintain hospital admitting privileges for all staff or a written transfer agreement with one or more full-service licensed hospitals located within an overall travel time of 15 minutes or less from the facility. The transfer agreement shall include provisions for: transfer of information needed for proper care and treatment of the patient transferred; and security and accountability of the personal effects of the patient being transferred.
Price Transparency
Utah does not impose price transparency requirements on ASCs.
Workers' Compensation
Utah does not have an ASC Fee Schedule, but provider reimbursement for services performed at these facilities is subject to the Utah Medical Fee Schedule. For more information on the maximum allowable fee in the state, see here.
Patient Safety Reporting Requirements
ASCs are required to document and report information on specified Adverse Events. More information on criteria and reporting requirements can be found here.
Charity Care
Utah does not impose charity care requirements on ASCs.
Surgical Smoke
Utah does not impose surgical smoke evacuation requirements on ASCs.
Advance Directives
Advance Health Care Directive Act: Obligations of Health Care Provider
For Full Act: §§ 75-2a-101 to 75-2a-124
Advance Directive Forms and Instructions.
State Regulator
Utah Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Licensing and Background Checks
Office of Licensing
195 N 1950 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Carmen Richins, Director, Division of Licensing and Background Checks
carmenrichins@utah.gov
385.242.6354
Statutory & Regulatory References
Utah Health Code: 26-21
Utah Administrative Code: R432-500