Healthcare in 2010; ASC Consolidation; 9th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference
2010 was an interesting year in the healthcare area. The industry saw serious headwinds. These included (1) pressure on case volumes that came principally from the acquisition of practices by hospitals, and (2) pressures on reimbursement. Notwithstanding these headwinds, a great deal of surgery centers and many of the best managed chains survived the year intact and in fact prospered. As the dust clears, it appears certain of the worst headwinds did not place as direct a hit on surgery centers as feared. In fact, in some regards the industry is looking up as people evaluate the future and start to conclude that the independent practice of medicine will survive and that everything will not move towards a national healthcare plan and complete hospital employment.
There was substantial consolidation last year amongst both individual centers and investor-owned chains. Some of the acquisitions involved hospital acquiring surgery centers 100 percent and then turning them into HOPDs. Other consolidation occurred at the chain levels. Finally, the chains themselves acquired individual surgery centers.
We have planned an exciting June 9-11 Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management Driven ASC Conference. We have the best business speakers in the orthopedic, spine and pain management driven ASC area, some great orthopedic, spine and pain management speakers, plus great keynote speakers. Two confirmed keynotes include Mike Ditka, the famous coach of the Chicago Bears, and Joe Flower, a well known and very smart healthcare futurist. We also have joining us Bill Prentice from the ASC Association.
Should you have any questions, please contact me at (312) 750-6016 or at sbecker@mcguirewoods.com.
We are looking forward to a great year in 2011.
Very truly yours,
