February 2024 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
How weight loss drugs may impact the ASC industry
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic have surged in popularity over the past year. But what does this increased popularity mean for the ASC industry?
How will the economy affect ASCs in 2024?
Five ASC leaders joined Becker's to discuss how a potential economic downturn could affect ambulatory healthcare space growth.
Spine surgeons will 'do cool things' with ASCs in 5 years
The evolution of spine surgery is leaning more toward outpatient care. Here's what six spine surgeons are predicting for the near future.
How ASCs are adapting to supply chain struggles
Although expense management is always something leaders consider when managing ASCs, in recent years cutting costs has become even more important to grapple with ongoing supply disruptions, increasing costs of supplies and labor and decreasing reimbursements.
HCA nets $5.2B in 2023, names CFO: 5 notes
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare rounded out 2023 with fourth-quarter net income totaling $1.61 billion, a decrease of 26% year over year.
ASCs, spine tech fuel mutual growth
The growth of spine technology and outpatient spine migration are two things that can benefit from each other.
General Catalyst led $95.5M investment in a physician group, plans health system acquisition
General Catalyst led a $95.5 million funding round for a Texas-based physician clinic chain in early January, and a week later the investment firm announced plans to acquire Akron, Ohio-based Summa Health.
The GI trends shaping 2024
From private equity's growing presence in the specialty to changes in the use of anesthesia, here are three trends shaping the gastroenterology field in 2024.
Gastroenterology's reimbursement problem
Low reimbursement rates have plagued gastroenterology for years. Here's what gastroenterologists have to say about how it's affecting the field.
CFOs getting more CEO jobs
More CFOs are moving to CEO or president roles, but finance executives must be well-versed in what drives growth to find success in the corner office, Bloomberg reported Jan. 16.
ASC Management
Physicians are fed up — and ASCs may have an edge
As the field of medicine faces an exodus of physicians, plummeting job satisfaction and skyrocketing costs, the future of healthcare may seem grim. However, ASCs have an opportunity larger hospitals and health systems do not.
ASC leadership pay climbing
The total compensation package for many ASC leaders jumped considerably in the last year, according to data from the 2023 OR Manager survey.
OIG says consultant's gift cards to physicians for referrals don't violate anti-kickback
The Office of the Inspector General weighed in on whether a consultant providing gift cards to physicians for referrals is considered a kickback.
ASCs' biggest challenge? The ongoing 'change menace'
ASCs face several challenges headed into 2024, one being a fast-paced and ever-changing healthcare landscape that consistently keeps practices and administrators on their toes.
Why physicians are exiting medicine
Twenty-six percent of physicians are considering leaving their primary roles as physicians to pivot to nonclinical careers, according to Medscape's "Physicians and Nonclinical Careers Report 2023."
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
How ASCs are adapting to supply chain struggles
Although expense management is always something leaders consider when managing ASCs, in recent years cutting costs has become even more important to grapple with ongoing supply disruptions, increasing costs of supplies and labor and decreasing reimbursements.
How weight loss drugs may impact the ASC industry
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic have surged in popularity over the past year. But what does this increased popularity mean for the ASC industry?
Are 'monopolizing' entities eroding physician independence?
Many physicians are wary of the rapid growth of Optum, the country's largest employer of physicians and parent company of ASC chain SCA Health.
Spine surgeons will 'do cool things' with ASCs in 5 years
The evolution of spine surgery is leaning more toward outpatient care. Here's what six spine surgeons are predicting for the near future.
ORTHOPEDICS
Physician shortage could spell 'doomsday' for orthopedics
The looming physician shortage poses a unique threat to orthopedics.
New CMS rule aims to improve pain point for spine surgeons
CMS on Jan. 17 finalized a rule to improve the prior authorization process.
ASCs, spine tech fuel mutual growth
The growth of spine technology and outpatient spine migration are two things that can benefit from each other.
Why noncompetes are 'worthless' to Dr. Nicholas Grosso
In his time at Bethesda, Md.-based Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, Nicholas Grosso, MD, has found physician exits to be rare.
GASTROENTROLOGY
The GI trends shaping 2024
From private equity's growing presence in the specialty to changes in the use of anesthesia, here are three trends shaping the gastroenterology field in 2024.
Private practice gastroenterologists earn big compared to employed counterparts
Gastroenterologists working at physician-owned entities outearn their hospital and management service counterparts, according to Healthcare Appraisers' 2023 GI "Industry Outlook" report, published in September.
Gastroenterology's reimbursement problem
Low reimbursement rates have plagued gastroenterology for years. Here's what gastroenterologists have to say about how it's affecting the field.
Gastroenterologist burnout on the decline
Gastroenterologist burnout has declined 2% in the last year, according to Medscape's 2024 "Physician Burnout and Depression Report," published Jan. 24.
GI Alliance partners with 3 Rhode Island practices
Gastroenterology management organization GI Alliance has partnered with three practices in Rhode Island, further expanding its presence in the Northeast.
TRANSACTIONS
How will the economy affect ASCs in 2024?
Five ASC leaders joined Becker's to discuss how a potential economic downturn could affect ambulatory healthcare space growth.
HCA nets $5.2B in 2023, names CFO: 5 notes
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare rounded out 2023 with fourth-quarter net income totaling $1.61 billion, a decrease of 26% year over year.
Nvision expands with Texas joint venture
Aliso Viejo, Calif.-based Nvision Eye Centers has partnered with San Antonio-based ophthalmology group Parkhurst NuVision.
General Catalyst led $95.5M investment in a physician group, plans health system acquisition
General Catalyst led a $95.5 million funding round for a Texas-based physician clinic chain in early January, and a week later the investment firm announced plans to acquire Akron, Ohio-based Summa Health.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
How University Hospitals' CEO is turning the page on work culture
Cliff Megerian, MD, CEO of Cleveland-based University Hospitals, launched a book club for employees in 2022. Today, Cliff's Notes: A UH Book Club, which is named after Dr. Megerian, continues to evolve and grow.
Financial pressures to drive health system M&A, even among strong hospitals
The number of financially distressed hospitals looking for a partner increased from 2022 to 2023, as financial pressures became a driving force in healthcare mergers and acquisitions last year, according to a Jan. 18 Kaufman Hall report.
CFOs getting more CEO jobs
More CFOs are moving to CEO or president roles, but finance executives must be well-versed in what drives growth to find success in the corner office, Bloomberg reported Jan. 16.