January/February 2024 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
The new age of 'super-sized' ASCs
Les Jebson, regional administrator at Greenville, S.C.-based Prisma Health, joined Becker's to discuss the biggest ASC growth opportunities.
ASCs vs. HOPDs: 3 cost comparisons
ASCs and HOPDs are vying for similar patient populations, but having procedures done at ASCs versus the latter can yield financial benefits, according to an analysis by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
The 3 trends keeping ASC leaders up at night
Here are three major trends that are worrying ASC leaders.
Why private practice is worth it for 2 spine surgeons
Two spine surgeons shared with Becker's the reasons why they prefer private practice over hospital employment.
The GI companies to watch in 2024
Here are six gastroenterology groups to keep an eye on 2024:
Michael Dowling: The most pressing question to start the year
The new year is always an ideal time for healthcare leaders to reflect on the state of our industry and their own organizations, as well as the challenges and opportunities ahead. As the CEO of a large health system, I always like to reflect on one basic question at the end of each year: Are we staying true to our mission?
Good news for the ASC labor market
The labor market tightened over the last year and surgery center leaders are keeping a close eye on the trends.
The market trends crucial to ASC success in 2024
Joe Peluso, administrator at Aestique Surgical Center in Greensburg, Pa., joined Becker's to discuss market trends affecting success in ASCs, particularly independent organizations.
ASC owners' biggest concerns for 2024
While ASC owners are hopeful for growth and expansion in 2024 and more procedures shift to the outpatient setting, there are still roadblocks ahead.
ASC Management
Good news for the ASC labor market
The labor market tightened over the last year and surgery center leaders are keeping a close eye on the trends.
Is value-based care the key to ASC success?
A report by Humana released Nov. 15 found that value-based care benefits physicians and patients. In light of that finding, is adopting a value-based care model going to make or break ASCs?
ASC execs are bullish on growth. Here are 5 strategies on their radar
The year 2024 is around the corner and ASCs are employing several strategies to prepare for growth.
ASCs vs. HOPDs: 3 cost comparisons
ASCs and HOPDs are vying for similar patient populations, but having procedures done at ASCs versus the latter can yield financial benefits, according to an analysis by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
10 states with the most new ASCs
California had the most new surgery centers in 2023, followed by Florida, Texas and Wisconsin.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
The biggest lessons ASCs learned in 2023
Seven ASC leaders recently joined Becker's to discuss the biggest lessons they learned in 2023.
Why this physician is worried about Medicare Advantage
A growing number of hospitals, health systems and ASCs are dropping Medicare Advantage contracts for prior authorization denials and slow payments, among other reasons.
Why private practice is worth it for 2 spine surgeons
Two spine surgeons shared with Becker's the reasons why they prefer private practice over hospital employment.
How staffing shortages pushed 1 health system — and its ASCs — to innovate
Healthcare has been plagued with staffing shortages, a looming physician exodus, an aging population, an increase in costs and a decline in provider pay — and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
How private practice must face the 'shrinking reimbursement dollar'
Steven Waronker, MD, an anesthesiologist in Alpharetta, Ga., joined Becker's to discuss the physician workforce trend he is most concerned about right now.
ORTHOPEDICS
Where spine disruption is happening
The spine surgery industry has seen major shifts in recent years. Here are three areas to watch.
Employment vs. private practice: Factors influencing spine surgeons’ decisions
Spine and orthopedic surgeons' decisions on where to practice is a consequential one whether they go to a hospital or a private group. Amid economic headwinds and workforce challenges in healthcare, the choice holds more weight than ever.
Spine surgeon pay hits $844k
The average orthopedic spine surgeon salary nationwide is $844,422, according to the 2022 Medical Group Management Association Compensation & Production Report.
The future of spine surgery & ASCs: 5 leaders' thoughts
As spine surgeries increasingly become approved for the outpatient setting, ASC leaders are eyeing new procedure lines and growth opportunities.
Spine surgeons' next payer battle
Spine surgeons saw a major victory in a yearslong payer battle this year when Aetna revised its lumbar disc replacement policy in February. Now, some surgeons are looking ahead to the next hurdle they could face from insurers.
GASTROENTROLOGY
The GI companies to watch in 2024
Here are six gastroenterology groups to keep an eye on 2024:
The payer behavior making gastroenterologists wary
Here are three major payer moves and tendencies that have drawn gastroenterologists' interest in 2023:
Colonoscopies cost 55% more at hospitals compared to ASCs: Study
U.S. hospitals' facility fees for colonoscopy procedures covered by private health insurance are on average about 55% higher than facility fees billed by ASCs, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.
AGA reiterates concerns over UnitedHealthcare endoscopy policy
The American Gastroenterological Association issued a statement Dec. 20 objecting to UnitedHealthcare's advance notification program for gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures and its proposed gold card prior authorization program planned for 2024.
What's next for GI tech?
Robotics, artificial intelligence and other technologies have made waves in the gastroenterology sector. These innovations have made minimally invasive procedures more accessible, treatment and detection more successful and increase efficiency in procedures.
TRANSACTIONS
'Time to bring in the suits': Will independent ASCs fade away?
Some ASCs are having to forgo independence, looking to hospital and management company partnerships to handle skyrocketing operating costs.
The market trends crucial to ASC success in 2024
Joe Peluso, administrator at Aestique Surgical Center in Greensburg, Pa., joined Becker's to discuss market trends affecting success in ASCs, particularly independent organizations.
Optum's 90,000 physicians: What consolidation could mean for medicine
UnitedHealth Group, parent company of Optum, now employs, contracts or aligns with roughly 90,000 physicians in the country, according to a Dec. 14 report from Medscape.
Baptist Health, Compass Surgical Partners to launch ASC network
Jacksonville, Fla.-based Baptist Health has partnered with ASC management organization Compass Surgical Partners to launch a network of ASCs that will be branded as Horizon Surgery Center.
ASC chains by the numbers
ASC chains such as Tenet Healthcare's United Surgical Partners International and Optum's SCA Health are rapidly growing as the industry consolidates.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
ChristianaCare's CFO on pouring a new financial foundation
ChristianaCare CFO Rob McMurray is focused on making sure the Wilmington, Del.-based system is standing on solid ground.
Michael Dowling: The most pressing question to start the year
The new year is always an ideal time for healthcare leaders to reflect on the state of our industry and their own organizations, as well as the challenges and opportunities ahead. As the CEO of a large health system, I always like to reflect on one basic question at the end of each year: Are we staying true to our mission?
CFOs of private equity-backed companies feel the heat
A survey revealed the vast majority of CFOs working for private-equity portfolio companies are worried about their job security, The Wall Street Journal reported Nov. 27.
Hospitals won't see a 'V-shaped recovery'
Hospitals are starting to dig themselves out of a formidable operating trench, but results for the sector still lag far behind pre-pandemic levels, according to Fitch Ratings.
The rise of the dual-role CEO
In recent months, multiple health systems have named executives who already lead a region or facility to a second, dual role within the enterprise.