As interest in ASCs grows among physicians, administrators and patients, health systems, corporate entities and private equity groups are venturing into the outpatient surgery sector. 

Several health systems and physicians have moved to enter the ASC market in 2024. Amid growing competition, being fiscally savvy has become increasingly important in the outpatient space. 

Independent ASCs often struggle to compete with larger providers in securing lucrative contracts for reimbursements and supplies, but have a critical edge when it comes to recruitment. 

A physician in the Chicago suburbs has pleaded guilty to a $2.4 million healthcare fraud scheme of billing Medicaid and private insurers for nonexistent services. 

Youngstown, Ohio, was ranked U.S. News & World Report's most affordable place to retire in 2024.

While 41% of physicians report feeling equally excited and terrified about artificial intelligence in medicine, it has important uses in the field, including performing the back-end work done by EHR software, the American Medical Association's immediate past president said. 

In May, Oregon became the first state in the country to officially change the title of "physician assistant" to "physician associate." 

The majority of physician assistants are happy with their career choice and would choose the same profession again if given the opportunity to do it over, according to Medscape's 2024 "Physician Assistant Career Satisfaction Report," published June 28. 

As hospitals continue to cut service lines amid thinning margins and high inflation, ASCs could have an opportunity to pick up patient volume. 

The average annual salary for physician assistants increased by 4.1% between 2023 and 2024, while inflation is currently down by 19.5%.

OptumRx, Optum's pharmacy benefit management company, has agreed to pay $20 million to settle allegations it improperly filled certain opioid prescriptions, violating the Controlled Substances Act.

A medical office building in Red Bank, N.J., was evacuated on the afternoon of June 27 after a car crashed into it, according to a June 27 report from Red Bank Green.

Noncompete clauses have been a divisive issue in healthcare, particularly since the Federal Trade Commission voted to ban the practice earlier this year. 

Grappling with rising practice costs, inflation and staffing shortages has created an increasingly competitive market for health systems, practices and ASCs. Dealing with these financial headwinds has forced some care sites to lay off staff.

A former emergency department physician at Port Angeles, Wash.-based Olympic Medical Center was sentenced to 364 days in jail for the sexual assault of six patients, Radio Pacific reported June 25. 

The Mount Kisco (N.Y.) Surgery Center was hit with a data breach affecting current and former employees and patients. 

Greenville, N.C.-based Carolina East Family Medicine's physician office has abruptly closed, WITN reported June 25

As ASCs become increasingly appealing to market players, some healthcare leaders who are not as familiar with ASC practices may be looking to open outpatient centers.

Autonomy is a critical element of a physician's career, and according to healthcare leaders, market factors such as consolidation and private equity have limited the longevity of independent physicians.

The average annual salary for nurse practitioners increased by 3% between 2023 and 2024, while inflation is currently down by 19.5%.