November/December 2024 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
10 vital lessons from ASC, physician leaders
Fifty-six ASC leaders shared the most important things they've learned during their leadership tenures with Becker's on Oct. 2.
Friends or foes? The evolving ASC, hospital relationship
Hospitals are increasingly looking to ASCs as procedures migrate to the outpatient setting.
Independent ASCs' new dilemma
The ASC industry is facing a new dilemma: An aging physician population looking to cash out, but not necessarily to larger consolidators.
The healthcare power players physicians are monitoring
From commercial payers to physician organizations, six physician leaders joined Becker's to discuss the healthcare power players they are watching.
The 5 richest physician billionaires
The combined net worth of the five richest physician billionaires is $45.1 billion, according to Forbes' net worth tracker.
Meet CEOs, CFOs of the 5 biggest ASC chains
Here are the CEO and CFOs of the five biggest ASC chains:
8 billing-cycle partner red flags for ASCs
It is not uncommon for ASCs, especially smaller facilities, to outsource billing operations to revenue cycle management companies.
Spine surgeons weigh Medicare exit amid pay cuts
Declining CMS rates have been a concern among physicians across the board, and spine surgeons are thinking about implications for the future of patient care as well as strategies to stay afloat.
The colonoscopy payment 'loopholes' GIs are eyeing
As colorectal cancer cases rise, gastroenterologists are pushing for patients to receive screenings, but some colonoscopy insurance loopholes stand in the way.
HCA to add 100 outpatient facilities in 2024: 5 things to know
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare plans to add 100 outpatient facilities by the end of 2024, bringing total sites of care to more than 2,600, according to a third quarter earnings report transcribed by the Motley Fool.
The days of fee-for-service are 'running out'
CMS is applying pressure on health systems to transition from fee-for-service to value-based care by 2030. While value-based care has been discussed for years, many institutions are not yet fully prepared for its impact, as this transformation is set to influence not only Medicare but also other payer systems that benchmark against Medicare’s policies.
ASC MANAGEMENT
10 vital lessons from ASC, physician leaders
Fifty-six ASC leaders shared the most important things they've learned during their leadership tenures with Becker's on Oct. 2.
Friends or foes? The evolving ASC, hospital relationship
Hospitals are increasingly looking to ASCs as procedures migrate to the outpatient setting.
ASCs forced to become 'discretionary' about cases
Many ASCs are being forced to shift the way they operate as practice costs soar and payer reimbursement rates sink.
What 5 leaders have to say about projected physician shortages
By the end of 2024, the U.S. is predicted to see a shortage of 64,000 physicians, according to research from McKinsey & Co.
The 5 richest physician billionaires
The combined net worth of the five richest physician billionaires is $45.1 billion, according to Forbes' net worth tracker.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Anesthesiologists to CMS: 'We want to be valued'
Anesthesiology faces numerous pressure points, including provider shortages and decreasing reimbursements. And, as private payers typically look to Medicare to determine their reimbursement rates, some look to CMS to change the course of consistent rate declines.
Hopeful, but skeptical: The double-edged sword of medical advancements
While medical advancements enable ASC staff to achieve more with fewer resources, they come with their own set of challenges.
ASCs' bright future
From cost savings to surgical advancements, eight ASC leaders joined Becker's to discuss what's hopeful for the future of ASCs.
What trends are ASC leaders tired of hearing about?
From consistently declining reimbursements to inflation and staffing shortages, these are the healthcare trends that ASC leaders told Becker's they're tired of hearing about and want to see action on:
'If you're not good, you sink': Do independent physicians have an edge?
The number of employed physicians is skyrocketing, and many leaders are concerned about how this workforce evolution will affect care quality.
ORTHOPEDICS
'It's only a matter of time' for endoscopic spine growth
Endoscopic spine surgery has a significant learning curve to overcome, but it's not out of reach for spine surgeons at any stage of their careers, Dean Perfetti, MD, told Becker's.
Spine surgeons weigh Medicare exit amid pay cuts
Declining CMS rates have been a concern among physicians across the board, and spine surgeons are thinking about implications for the future of patient care as well as strategies to stay afloat.
The common thread across all PELTO Health Partners practices
Since its launch in 2023, PELTO Health Partners has doubled its number of practices in 2024, and its leaders are thinking about what future expansion will look like.
Spine surgeons' priorities for '25: Machine learning, endoscopy + more
From advancements in technology to shifts in the payer landscape, spine surgeons are thinking about the trends they want to get ahead of to stay strong heading into 2025.
How often are new spine devices recalled? 4 notes
New spine devices had a reduced recall risk compared to orthopedic devices in general, and some tech didn't have any increase in risk, according to a study in the Nov. 1 issue of Spine.
GASTROENTROLOGY
Cutting GI's CO2 footprint at no cost to patient care: 8 things to know
Ramjohan Rammohan, MD, a gastroenterology fellow at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, N.Y., led a two-phase study of endoscopic procedures performed at the facility over one year and reported its findings at the American College of Gastroenterology's 2024 convention.
Mortality rates for early-onset CRC on the rise: 8 things to know
The mortality rate of early-onset colorectal cancer has increased over the last two decades, with those aged 20-44 years experiencing the most pronounced impact, Medscape Medical News reported Oct. 27.
GIs' concern over UnitedHealth's gold card program: 5 things to know
Some gastroenterologists have expressed concern over a lack of clarity in eligibility requirements in UnitedHealthcare's new gold card program, Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News reported Oct. 18.
The colonoscopy payment 'loopholes' GIs are eyeing
As colorectal cancer cases rise, gastroenterologists are pushing for patients to receive screenings, but some colonoscopy insurance loopholes stand in the way.
Oregon specialists warn public about CRC blood-test
In July, the FDA approved a new screening test for colorectal cancer that only requires a sample of blood.
TRANSACTIONS
Physician practices' swinging pendulum of investment
Healthcare has been a focus of private-equity investment for years, driving consolidation throughout the industry.
HCA to add 100 outpatient facilities in 2024: 5 things to know
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare plans to add 100 outpatient facilities by the end of 2024, bringing total sites of care to more than 2,600, according to a third quarter earnings report transcribed by the Motley Fool.
Walgreens to close 1,200 stores: 10 things ASCs need to know
Walgreens will close 1,200 locations over the next three years, the company said in its Oct. 15 fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report.
HCA's outpatient volume declines in Q3: 5 notes
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, one of the largest ASC operators in the country, posted an operating income of $1.9 billion in the third quarter of 2024, up from an operating income of $1.6 billion over the same period last year, according to its Oct. 25 financial report.
AmSurg inks tech deal to cut cancellations, no-shows
Nashville, Tenn.-based ASC chain AmSurg has partnered with healthcare communication company Dialog Health to enhance patient communication.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
The days of fee-for-service are 'running out'
CMS is applying pressure on health systems to transition from fee-for-service to value-based care by 2030. While value-based care has been discussed for years, many institutions are not yet fully prepared for its impact, as this transformation is set to influence not only Medicare but also other payer systems that benchmark against Medicare’s policies.
Top 8 ways to ease nurses' AI fears
Almost a quarter of nurses are uncomfortable with artificial intelligence in healthcare, with trust in accuracy and lack of human interaction their top concerns, according to McKinsey & Co.
Workplace gender parity still 50 years away, report says
While women have made workplace gains over the last 10 years, they still face significant challenges in their roles and careers.
Hospital operating margins to stay low in 2025: Moody's
Hospital labor costs rocketed over the last four years, hitting margins and cash flow hard, according to Moody's. And the problem isn't going away any time soon.
Advocate redesigns the nurse manager role
Advocate Health recently reimagined the role of nurse managers, said Jane Dus, DNP, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of the system's Midwest region.