ASC and CMS requirements

[Vlab20]

I have a B-Business ASC. It is NON-hospital based. It is directly adjacent to a clinic(B-Business). I have a 1-hour rated wall that separates the Clinic from the ASC per NFPA 101. HOWEVER I want to use one reception desk for the ASC and the Clinic. ASC patient would walk into Clinic, check in at Common reception desk, would be directed to waiting in the ASC Waiting Room (which is a 1-hour rated room separated from Clinic waiting room). Staff gets ASC patient and walks them into the ASC area for prepping. I am looking at the CMS State Operations Manual Appendix L which is the Medicare requirements for a ASC. I can not find anything that states that I have to have a SEPARATE ASC receptionist. I am also trying to find the requirements for a ASC patient to check in...Can they walk into the Clinic and check in at a common reception desk? and then be directed to sit in the ASC waiting room with its one hour separation? This project is in Wisconsin and WI only uses the HVAC requirements of the AIA Guidelines for ASC's. NFPA 101 and IBC does not tell me this specific answer. Does anyone have any possible answers?

Thanks.

 

[brudgers]

What is CMS?

 

[Coug Dad]

Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services. If you want federal reimbursements, you must meet CMS criteria.

 

[Coug Dad]

Vlab,

There is nothing in NFPA 101 that would prohibit the two uses sharing a common receptionist. However, as you know, CMS covers much more that NFPA 101 for determining if the reimbursement rate is doctor's office, ambulatory care or health care.

 

[FM William Burns]

I believe if the "Receptionist" area and ajoining areas are separated in accordance with 101 Chapter 8 and as directed by "separated occupancies" your golden.

 

[Vlab20]

In reviewing CMS Appendix L for ASC's there is no requirement for a separate receptionist. CMS requires a separate Waiting Room and a separate Recovery Area. The other requirements are not specific. We have had previous ASC's re-inspected by CMS and the common receptionist has never been cited BUT that could mean they missed it. Just looing to see if anyone has had this challenge. Thanks again.