Watauga orthopaedics surgery center a proposed Orthopedic astc in Sullivan County Project No. Cn2007-022

WATAUGA ORTHOPAEDICS SURGERY CENTER A Proposed Orthopedic ASTC in Sullivan County Project No. CN2007-022

Need:

• No Orthopedic Specialty ASTC in the PSA
• Existing Multi-Specialty ASTCs are highly utilized
• Needed OR time not available, especially for newer Watauga surgeons
• Multi-Specialty ASTCs not adequate for complex orthopedic cases:
• Larger ORs needed
• Specialized equipment in place when needed
• Specialized and experienced staff – nurses, techs

Economic Feasibility:

• Cost savings – lower charges and out-of-pocket
• Medicare and other payors steering more cases to ambulatory settings
• Total Joint Replacements in ASTCs – shoulders & knees, now. Hips approved by Medicare effective January 2021.
• Watauga only ortho group in area to participate with all 3 TennCare MCOs

Orderly Development:

• Accommodates changes in site of service and payment policies of Medicare and other payors
• Accommodates growth of Watauga
• Has strong, almost universal community support:
• Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable
• Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy
• State Representative John Crawford
• Numerous physicians and other health care providers

Support from Patient and Consumer Kimberly Mosier: (Unsolicited email sent October 12, 2020):

“Watauga Orthopaedics has served the needs of my family for years. It is an honor and privilege for me to share my support for your proposed surgery center.

The new, proposed site would make it possible for local treatment and recovery for many patients, who are currently being funnelled (sic) out to Knoxville and surrounding areas.

 

I can't impress upon you what a relief this will be to patients and their families, especially now.

Best wishes, and thank you for serving the Mosier family as well as countless others in our community.”