ASC average case mix largely remained stable from 2018 to 2022, according to VMG Health's"Multi-Specialty ASC Benchmarking Study" from 2018 and 2022.

As the healthcare industry shifts to value-based care models over traditional fee-for-service models, major players are making deals to facilitate that transition. 

Health spending in the U.S. jumped from $4.1 trillion in 2020 to $4.3 trillion in 2021, a 2.7 percent increase, according to a report from the American Medical Association.

Three big CMS moves have affected physician reimbursements in the last 10 years, according to VMG Health's 2023 mergers and acquisitions report released March 21:

From its reversal on the inpatient only list to removing procedures from the ASC-approved list, CMS seemingly has been erratic with its ASC policies. 

New York and Rhode Island consistently rank low on financial website WalletHub's annual list of worst states for physicians. 

Montana and Wisconsin consistently rank high on financial website WalletHub's annual list of best states for physicians. 

Kaiser Permanente Health Plans was the largest payer by total incurred claims in 2021, according to data firm Definitive Healthcare. 

The effects of low reimbursement rates for procedures performed in ASCs continue to be a source of ongoing stress for physicians. 

As physicians face more reimbursement cuts, Kerry Willis, MD, is predicting payers will face backlash. 

Physicians are seeing continued pay cuts in 2023, and many leaders are worried about the sustainability of small practices as the healthcare industry consolidates. 

ASCs are historically reimbursed at lower levels than hospital outpatient departments, and as operating costs soar, many leaders are worried about how low reimbursements will affect their ability to meet margins. 

Outpatient visits are being billed at increasingly higher levels, according to a Feb. 27 analysis from the Peterson Foundation and Kaiser Family Foundation. 

The American Hospital Association is asking the FTC to withdraw its proposal to ban noncompete agreements. 

CMS is proposing to streamline and improve prior authorizations with new and added rules, according to a Feb. 21 Kaiser Family Foundation report. 

Pensacola, Fla.-based Timothy Ramsden, MD, has agreed to settle his alleged violation of the Controlled Substances Act with a $190,731 fine, the Justice Department said Feb. 22. 

Medscape laid out physician compensation stats for physicians under 40 in its "Young Physician Compensation Report 2022."

As healthcare increasingly consolidates, smaller ASCs are having trouble meeting margins. 

Joe Peluso, administrator at Aestique Surgery Center in Greensburg, Pa., recently connected with Becker's to discuss seven ways to address healthcare costs.  

Here are five policy moves dealing with noncompetes from the last year that ASCs need to know: