Prostate Centers of America, LLC's Model Complies With Stark 2 Phase II Rules
by Anonymous

ATLANTA, GA April 3, 2004 -- Prostate Centers of America, LLC, a Georgia based provider of mobile therapeutic equipment and services, announced today that its physician owned model complies with the new Phase II Stark regulations.

PCA currently provides mobile LDR brachytherapy and Greenlight Laser for BPH equipment and technologists in Ohio, Maryland, Georgia and Florida.

In these new regulations CMS expanded the exception for radiology procedures performed "during surgery" to also include radiology procedures performed "immediately after" surgery in order to confirm the placement of an item during the procedure. Thus, CAT scans, x-rays, or ultrasound used to assess the outcome of a surgical procedure are NOT considered designated health services subject to the Stark law.

The PCA model is targeted at LDR brachytherapy in the Ambulatory Surgery Center. The Greenlight Laser can be used in the Hospital or the ASC. The equipment is majority or wholly owned by the Urologists and Radiation Oncologists. The model involves syndication of the equipment through a joint venture with PCA, LLC which provides the personnel and expertise to operate and move the equipment from site to site in shared services type arrangements.

Randy Tibitts, President of PCA states: " The new regulations are a gift. They further clarify what we have been saying all along. PCA is now about 12 months ahead in the market. We are unique". He goes on to say: " We are lucky in the fact that we have already been over all the legal stumbling blocks everyone else will have to surmount to do this properly. Michael Blau with McDermott, Will & Emery has been instrumental in setting up our new model. The new rules make his job a little easier".

Since code 55859 was approved for reimbursement in the ASC, PCA has been working to establish quality programs in the ambulatory surgery center environment. This move allows the Urologists and Radiation Oncologists to become much more time efficient. Typically a physician can perform 4-5 procedures in an ASC setting vs the time it takes for 1-2 procedures in the Hospital. LDR brachytherapy (CPT 55859) is a Group 9 facility fee for the ASC.





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