Here are seven updates:
Anthem seeks quick, separate trial to keep $45B Cigna deal on the table
Last week, Anthem asked Judge John Bates of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to fast-track its trial over its Cigna merger. In Anthem's filings, the payer said if the deal doesn't go through by April 30, Cigna will terminate the deal the following day.
Physicians Endoscopy partner East Side Endoscopy adds pain management services through NAPA
New York City-based East Side Endoscopy, a Physicians Endoscopy ASC, added pain management services to its offerings. North American Partners in Anesthesia is collaborating with the ASC for this new service line.
US adds 255k jobs in July
Employers added 255,000 jobs, meaning the growth rate may be more robust than expected. Hiring in May was weaker than expected but there was a rebound in June. These numbers for July show the economy may be gaining momentum.
Physicians spend more time on paperwork, less time with patients
A recent survey found growing time commitments to paperwork are keeping physicians at work but away from patients. Sixty-five percent of the respondents feel more overworked now compared to when they started their careers. Thirteen percent said they are less overworked now than at the beginning of their careers.
LA Dodgers Foundation gives Orthopaedic Institute for Children additional $20k for ASC
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation gave Orthopaedic Institute for Children $20,000 for its recently opened ambulatory surgery center in Los Angeles. The Dodger Foundation previously gave OIC $20,000 for the ASC, making its overall contribution total $40,000.
Physicians who practice defensive medicine have lower malpractice risk
A recent study found when physicians spent more money on patients, their risk of malpractice lawsuits fell. Internal medicine physicians who fell in the bottom 20 percent of hospital spending had a 1.5 percent chance of being involved in an alleged malpractice incident the following year. If internal medicine physicians were in the top percentile of hospital spending, this figure dropped to only a 0.3 percent risk.
NY officials approve Endoscopy Center of Western New York $884k expansion plans
Buffalo-based Endoscopy Center of Western New York received approval from New York officials to expand to a fifth surgical suite. On July 27, the DOH issued the contingent approval level for the renovation. Endoscopy Center of Western New York expects to complete the expansion in four months pending other local approvals.
More healthcare news:
St. Mary's Hospital settles lawsuit related to endoscopy death; investigation of gastroenterologist closed: 6 things to know
Regent Surgical Health joint ventures with West End Surgical ASC — 6 takeaways on the ASC dedicated specifically to TJR, spine
SCA revenue totals $299.9M, adds 9 facilities in Q2 — 9 things to know