From declining patient volumes to cost reductions, here's why five ASCs have closed in 2023:
1. In August, The Belmont Eye Clinic in Liberty Township, Ohio, closed after operating for more than 50 years. Due to the passing of its former physician Sherif Hanna, MD, and the departure of James Cover, OD, and Julianne Matthews, MD, the practice did not have a provider as of Aug. 1.
The clinic attempted to sell the office as a way to continue to provide care at the same location, but was unsuccessful.
2. In April, Cabell Huntington (W.Va.) Hospital, part of Mountain Health Network, closed its CHH Surgery Center, and phased out its home health services to better align its resources and reduce costs amid financial headwinds.
The health system cited "lingering operational challenges" from the COVID-19 pandemic and declining patient volumes in a news release.
3. In March, Phoenix-based Banner Health closed its surgery center in Loveland, Colo. The decision to close the center's doors, "was made to better align outpatient surgery services for physicians and patients in Loveland, and Larimer and Weld counties," according to a statement issued by Banner and Atlas. The statement also said there was a "duplication of services" between the Skyline location and another ASC in Loveland.
4. In February, the Salem (Ore.) Outpatient Surgery Center closed its doors in response to low patient volumes. Salem Health purchased land for the ASC in 2016 for $6.5 million, starting construction on the 42,000-square-foot center in 2020. The ASC opened in mid-2021, with property assessment records showing that millions were spent on the project.
5. In March, Marble Falls, Texas-based Hill Country Memorial Surgery Center closed after the November announcement that Hill Country Memorial Hospital was acquired by San Antonio Methodist Hospital.
"We've determined that's the most appropriate service to provide in the community," Amanda Stevens, chief strategy officer for Hill Country Memorial Hospital, told DailyTrib.com. Ms. Stevens said the acquisition had nothing to do with the decision to close the center.