Here are seven updates:
AmSurg acquires Jandee Anesthesiology Partners & Karadan Anesthesiology and Pain Management
Sheridan, AmSurg's physician services division, acquired Jandee Anesthesiology Partners and Karadan Anesthesiology and Pain Management, thereby expanding its anesthesiology services business. Jandee Anesthesiology Partners and Karadan Anesthesiology and Pain Management have five physicians. The groups' five physicians provide anesthesia services at nine ambulatory surgery centers and other New Jersey and New York practices.
Whistle-blower claims 33 hospitals submitted more than $1B in fictitious costs
A whistle-blower recently defended the viability of a federal complaint he filed, saying 33 hospitals in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia benefited from fictitious cost report claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid.
ASCA's William Prentice responds to NYT's Joan Rivers piece, defends patient safety at ASCs
William Prentice, CEO of Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, wrote a short rejoinder to The New York Times in response to their coverage of the settlement between Joan Rivers' family and Yorkville Endoscopy. Mr. Prentice wrote a letter to the editor in which he noted ASCs are in fact subject to the same federal and state oversight as hospitals and the "the doctors and nurses who work in these centers have the same education, training and credentials as those who perform surgery in hospitals."
Silver Cross Health System plans $11.1M ASC
New Lenox, Ill.-based Silver Cross Health System plans to build an ambulatory surgery center on its hospital campus in New Lenox. Silver Cross estimates the center will cost nearly $11.1 million.
American College of Emergency Physicians sues HHS for OON emergency payment rules
The American College of Emergency Physicians filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Count against HHS and other federal agencies for implementing payment rules that resulted in insufficient reimbursement for out-of-network emergency services. The group is imploring the court to overturn the federal regulating by setting a reasonable reimbursement rate for OON emergency services.
Mount Sinai to shutter Beth Israel hospital
New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System has unveiled a plan to shutter 856-bed Mount Sinai Beth Israel and replace it with a much smaller 70-bed facility. Mount Sinai said less than 60 percent of the hospital's beds are occupied, on average, and patient volume at the financially troubled hospital has decreased by double digits since 2012, prompting its decision to replace the facility.
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center completes construction of 67k-sq-ft ASC
Woodbridge, Va.-based Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center completed the construction of its 67,000-square-foot new surgery center. The two-story facility will house a sterile prep area, a pre-op and post-op area equipped with 28 beds as well as 10 operating rooms.
More healthcare news:
VA proposes rule to allow CRNAs to expand scope of practice: 5 notes
How hybrid surgery centers can increase an ASC's case volume & breadth
Specialty drug spending rises 26%; hepatitis spending up nearly 600% — 6 key takeaways from a BCBS study