What does it really take to bring cutting-edge vascular care to the most underserved corners of the rural South? In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Ally Baheti welcomes interventional cardiologist Dr. Ash Sastry and interventional radiologist Dr. Sree Nair to discuss the financial and regulatory side of providing care to underserved rural populations in North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia.

---

SYNPOSIS

The doctors delve into the operations and challenges of running an office-based lab (OBL) and the potential transition to an ambulatory surgical center (ASC). This episode covers topics like certificate of need (CON) laws, reimbursement issues, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration. The conversation offers insights into the practical and regulatory hurdles faced in delivering high-quality vascular care in rural settings.

---

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction
02:14 - Challenges in Rural Healthcare
09:00 - Understanding Certificate of Need (CON) Laws
11:30 - The Financial Struggles of OBLs
19:58 - Advocacy and Legislative Efforts
27:53 - Future Prospects and Final Thoughts