July/August 2020 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
10 best states for physicians to practice | 2020
Medscape released its 2020 "Best & Worst Places to Practice" list, examining compensation, practice conditions and quality of life across the U.S.
Outlook for ASCs in the next 6-12 months: Key trends and concepts from SCA's Dr. Dan Murrey
Dan Murrey, MD, is a pioneer in the ASC industry and at the forefront of growing centers across the country as the chief medical officer of Surgical Care Affiliates.
Vision Group Holdings filed for bankruptcy first — could more be next? Insights from Provident experts
West Palm Beach, Fla.-based and private equity-backed Vision Group Holdings said the COVID-19 pandemic worsened its financial issues when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy at the beginning of June. As the ramifications of the virus continue to make themselves known, will this be a one-time occurrence or the beginning of a chain of similar filings?
ValueHealth opens surgery center with Rothman Orthopaedics, 2 other health systems
Leawood, Kan.-based ValueHealth has opened Physicians Care Surgery Center in Royersford, Pa., according to a June 22 press release.
Former USPI CFO alleges he was fired for blowing the whistle on Tenet's 'improper financial reporting'
The former CFO of United Surgical Partners International alleges he was fired in retaliation for reporting potential securities law violations, according to a lawsuit filed June 24 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Eye surgeon charged in $637,200 COVID-19 loan fraud scheme: 6 details
A New York eye surgeon has been indicted, accused of fraudulently accepting two Paycheck Protection Program loans associated with COVID-19 relief for which he was ineligible, according to a news release from The U.S. Department of Justice Southern District of New York.
Registered nurse salary for all 50 states — California No. 1 at $113,240
The average salary for registered nurses across the country is $77,460, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data collected in May 2019.
AAAHC's 5 most common deficiencies during surveys & more insights
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare released its 2020 Quality Roadmap, which identifies high-compliance areas and improvement opportunities from surveys conducted in 2019.
11 facts and statistics on ophthalmology and ophthalmologists | 2020
Here are 11 things to know about ophthalmology and ophthalmologists.
ASC MANAGEMENT
Who leads Surgery Partners? 20 things to know
Surgery Partners is one of the largest ASC chains in the U.S. with more than 180 locations nationwide.
California surgery center owner, companion allegedly defrauded $51M+ from insurance companies
Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Wellness Wave surgical center owner Randy Rosen, MD, and his companion allegedly defrauded 18 insurance companies for more than $51 million, local NBC affiliate NBC 4 reports.
Former USPI CFO alleges he was fired for blowing the whistle on Tenet's 'improper financial reporting'
The former CFO of United Surgical Partners International alleges he was fired in retaliation for reporting potential securities law violations, according to a lawsuit filed June 24 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
5 worst states to practice for 2020
Medscape released its 2020 "Best & Worst Places to Practice" list, examining compensation, practice conditions and quality of life across the U.S.
10 best states for physicians to practice | 2020
Medscape released its 2020 "Best & Worst Places to Practice" list, examining compensation, practice conditions and quality of life across the U.S.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Vision Group Holdings filed for bankruptcy first — could more be next? Insights from Provident experts
West Palm Beach, Fla.-based and private equity-backed Vision Group Holdings said the COVID-19 pandemic worsened its financial issues when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy at the beginning of June. As the ramifications of the virus continue to make themselves known, will this be a one-time occurrence or the beginning of a chain of similar filings?
Planned cuts to Medicare payments threaten private practice, surgical groups say
Looming cuts to Medicare reimbursement could be the final straw for private practice surgeons already in financial straits, according to the Surgical Care Coalition, a group of 12 industry organizations opposing the planned cuts.
11 facts and statistics on ophthalmology and ophthalmologists | 2020
Here are 11 things to know about ophthalmology and ophthalmologists.
Stryker's ASC-focused business: 3 things to know
Earlier this year, Stryker launched an ASC-focused business.
ASC manager, developer taps VP of business development
Dave Ewing was named vice president of business development at Raleigh, N.C.-based Compass Surgical Partners, according to a July 1 announcement.
JOINT VENTURES
70 new ASCs so far in 2020 — month-by-month breakdown
Dozens of ASCs have been opened or announced since January:
Physicians acquire 35-hospital health system from private equity firm
Dallas-based Steward Health Care is now the largest physician-owned healthcare system in the U.S.
Maine health system plans $14.2M ASC: 4 details
A health system in Maine is planning to construct a multimillion-dollar ASC focused on orthopedics but will also include other outpatient specialties, according to the Bangor Daily News.
The number of ASCs in the US: A state-by-state breakdown
There are around 5,700 Medicare-certified ASCs in the U.S.
ValueHealth opens surgery center with Rothman Orthopaedics, 2 other health systems
Leawood, Kan.-based ValueHealth has opened Physicians Care Surgery Center in Royersford, Pa., according to a June 22 press release.
ORTHOPEDICS
10 things to know about orthopedics, orthopedic surgeons in ASCs | 2020
Here are 10 things to know about orthopedics and orthopedic surgery in ASCs.
New York neurosurgeon featured in Netflix docuseries 'Lenox Hill'
Netflix debuted "Lenox Hill" June 10, a docuseries following the lives of four physicians at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, including neurosurgeon John Boockvar, MD.
Getting ahead in the 'new normal': Rothman Orthopaedics strikes partnership to bolster virtual services
Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute on May 28 partnered with Radix Health to provide self-scheduling technology for patients, EIN News reports.
Steadman Clinic moves to absorb hospital orthopedic group — 6 things to know
The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., signed a letter of intent to absorb OrthoAspen, which is part of Aspen (Colo.) Valley Hospital, The Aspen Times reports.
Michigan neurosurgeon permanently loses license, settles charges he misdiagnosed 250 children
Neurosurgeon Yasser Awaad, MD, on May 20 permanently surrendered his medical license and agreed to pay $5,000 to settle allegations that he misdiagnosed more than 250 children as suffering from epilepsy or seizure disorders, Detroit Free Press reports.
GASTROENTROLOGY
'We do not have much room for growth': A GI center's plans for the next 12 months amid the pandemic
Bobbi Freeman, RN, the gastroenterology endoscopy and GI lab manager of Harbin Clinic Endoscopy Center in Rome, Ga., outlines how her center is resuming operations during the pandemic and what it expects in the next year.
Gastroenterology reports 2nd largest revenue, utilization drops of any specialty
Oral surgeons took the biggest financial hit from COVID-19, followed by gastroenterologists, according to Fair Health's 2020 "Healthcare Professionals and the Impact of COVID-19" report, a comparative study of revenue and utilization.
4 private equity GI deals announced this year
There have been four private equity deals in gastroenterology in 2020:
10 things to know about gastroenterologists and GI centers | 2020
Here are 10 things to know about gastroenterologists and gastroenterology in ASCs.
How COVID-19 affected Gastro Health — 3 insights from President Dr. James Leavitt
Private equity-backed Gastro Health had to temporarily close several of its affiliated centers in response to COVID-19.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
10 best children's hospitals, ranked by US News
U.S. News & World Report named Boston Children's Hospital the best hospital in the nation for its 2020-21 pediatric rankings.
Erlanger eliminates 11 leadership jobs
Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Erlanger Health System cut 11 leadership positions June 13 to help offset financial damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Medline snags $12M supply chain partnership — 3 things to know
Medline became the exclusive supply distributor for Yuma (Ariz.) Regional Medical Center through a $12 million agreement.
Nurses accuse Georgia hospital of manipulating COVID-19 test results
Four nurses are suing Landmark Hospital of Athens, Ga., alleging the hospital intentionally manipulated COVID-19 test results to hide an outbreak at the facility, according to TV station WXIA.
Court upholds nearly $2.7M award in anesthesiologist's breach-of-contract dispute
Anesthesiologist Amarjit Virk, MD, is entitled to the nearly $2.7 million in damages he was awarded in a wrongful termination suit against Williamsville, N.Y.-based Maple-Gate Anesthesiologists, his former employer, according to a June 8 court document obtained by Bloomberg Law.