Here are seven updates:
AmSurg, Envision Healthcare finalize $10B merge
AmSurg and Envision Healthcare Holdings signed a definitive merger agreement, with the combined company having a pro forma market cap of nearly $10 billion. The combined entity, Envision Healthcare Corp., will have an enterprise value of approximately $15 billion, based on Envision and AmSurg's closing price on June 14. The new company will have headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., and Greenwood Village, Colo.
SCA establishes its 1st physician advisory board
Deerfield, Ill.-based Surgical Care Affiliates established its inaugural Physician Advisory Board, composed of six board members. The board members will offer guidance and industry expertise to enhance patient care and serve SCA's physicians. Andrew Hayek, SCA's chairman and CEO; Goran Dragolovic, SCA's senior vice president; and James Grant, MD, SCA's regional vice president, will be the board's company representatives.
SCA, Naperville Surgical Centre partner
Surgical Care Affiliates partnered with Naperville (Ill.) Surgical Centre, a joint venture between Advocate Health Care and DuPage Medical Group. In 2015, Advocate and SCA entered a joint venture agreement to acquire and develop a surgery center network, paving the way for SCA's partnership with Naperville Surgical Centre.
Healthcare CEO gets 10 years for fraud that led to 2 patient deaths
The CEO and co-owner of a Maryland diagnostics company has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for charges related to healthcare fraud resulting in the deaths of patients. According to evidence presented at trial, Dr. Chikvashvili was involved in a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. He and others allegedly conspired to create false radiology, ultrasound and cardiologic interpretation reports. He also allegedly submitted insurance claims for medical examination interpretations that were never completed by licensed physicians, according to the DOJ.
3 US infants born with Zika-related defects
The CDC reported three infants born in the United States had Zika-related birth defects. The CDC also reported three other cases in which women had miscarriages or terminated pregnancies with infants who had birth defects, which Zika caused.
NJAASC seeks consistency in ASC oversight
In New Jersey, different government agencies regulate single-room facilities and ambulatory surgery centers, creating confusion in terms of which standards apply to which facility type. Andrew Weiss, president of the New Jersey Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, is hoping a proposal aimed at consolidating parts of the licensing process will take effect, arguing the association "wants the same standards for the sake of the patients."
St. Luke's Hospital ASC to create 300 jobs for local community
Northampton County Council approved a financing agreement with Easton, Pa.-based St. Luke's Hospital to build an ambulatory surgery center at its Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township. St. Luke's expects the ASC to bring in an additional 300 jobs to the area. The hospital said each job, on average, earns $60,000 annually.
More healthcare news:
Physician compensation continues to escalate; here's why it shows no signs of slowing down, for now
AmSurg, Envision Healthcare finalize $10B merger: 8 things to know
Employed vs. self-employed: Who has higher job satisfaction levels? 6 survey findings