Freestanding Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Description

A freestanding ambulatory surgical center is any center, service, office facility, or other entity that operates primarily for the purpose of providing surgical services to patients requiring a period of postoperative observation, but not requiring overnight hospitalization.

OHCQ is responsible for the oversight of ambulatory surgical facilities, including initial licensure surveys, annual surveys, relocation surveys, change of ownership and complaint investigations.

Maryland Regulations

Regulations related to freestanding ambulatory surgical centers are found in COMAR 10.05.01 and 10.05.05. To order copies of COMAR regulations, contact Tarshia Neal at the Maryland Division of State Documents at 410-260-3874 or [email protected]. Regulations are also available at public libraries - Find your nearest public library.

Certification

Prior to establishing or operating an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) in Maryland, the center must first obtain an ASC license from the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ). Prior to applying for a license, the applicant must apply for and receive either a Certification of Need (CON) or Determination of Coverage from the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC). For more information, contact MHCC at 410-764-3460.

Licensure

To apply for a license for a new ambulatory surgical center, complete the Application for an Ambulatory Surgical Facility License. In order to complete the application, please download a copy to your device. Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Reader or another *.PDF application are required to complete the application. It is recommended that you save your progress throughout the process. Questions, comments or concerns regarding this application and its completion, can be referred to the associated program/unit within OHCQ. Submit the licensure application and all supporting documents to OHCQ through the Submit a License Application link.