July/August 2021 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
10 of the largest ASC chains in the US | 2021
Many of the largest ASC chains in the U.S. grew last year during the pandemic.
10 issues ASC execs are obsessing over
The healthcare ecosystem is changing rapidly and administrators are following 10 big trends to prepare for the future.
What ASCs can expect from CMS in the next year
The federal government was relatively friendly to ASCs during the Trump administration, with CMS paying for more types of surgery in ASCs and HHS loosening regulations on how centers could practice during the pandemic.
New reasons insurers are denying payment
Commercial insurers are changing their policies to deny hospitals and ASCs payment for services deemed unnecessary or lacking enough evidence to move forward.
OIG advisory opinions ASCs need to know
Over the past decade, the HHS Office of Inspector General has issued several warnings of potential fraud and abuse risks with physician-owned distributorships, which often include ASCs.
USPI vs. AmSurg vs. SCA: 8 key comparisons
United Surgical Partners International, AmSurg and Surgical Care Affiliates are among the longest-lasting and largest ASC chains in the U.S.
Risk aversion, noncompliance + more: 8 internal threats ASCs should know
Pinpointing and addressing internal threats is critical for ASCs to operate successfully and deliver optimal patient care.
Are ASCs becoming less physician-friendly?
ASCs are known as nimble, physician-centric organizations founded by surgeons who wanted more control over the surgical episode and patient experience. They often attract new partners and cases because they can cater to surgeon requests.
Caseload decline for 6 ASC specialties
Dermatology saw one of the sharpest declines in average number of patients seen by physicians per week from before COVID-19 to now.
7 financial opportunities for ASCs
Six administrators spoke with Becker's ASC Review about financial opportunities they see in the ASC industry.
23-clinic pain practice in California closes without explanation
A chain of pain management clinics suddenly shut its doors May 14, according to The Modesto Bee.
ASC MANAGEMENT
What ASCs can expect from CMS in the next year
The federal government was relatively friendly to ASCs during the Trump administration, with CMS paying for more types of surgery in ASCs and HHS loosening regulations on how centers could practice during the pandemic.
10 of the largest ASC chains in the US | 2021
Many of the largest ASC chains in the U.S. grew last year during the pandemic.
Tennessee passes certificate-of-need law increasing ASC fees by 1900%
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed into law a revision to the state's certificate-of-need requirements, raising ASC CON annual fees from $100 to $2,000.
Are ASCs becoming less physician-friendly?
ASCs are known as nimble, physician-centric organizations founded by surgeons who wanted more control over the surgical episode and patient experience. They often attract new partners and cases because they can cater to surgeon requests.
2 Arizona ASC chains plan big national expansions
Two ASC companies are making a splash nationally with ambitious growth in the next 24 months.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
10 issues ASC execs are obsessing over
The healthcare ecosystem is changing rapidly and administrators are following 10 big trends to prepare for the future.
7 financial opportunities for ASCs
Six administrators spoke with Becker's ASC Review about financial opportunities they see in the ASC industry.
Risk aversion, noncompliance + more: 8 internal threats ASCs should know
Pinpointing and addressing internal threats is critical for ASCs to operate successfully and deliver optimal patient care.
How 8 leaders are solving the biggest challenges at their ASCs
From supply shortages to caseload decline, here's how eight ASC leaders are tackling the biggest challenges at their ASCs:
What reimbursement issues are costing ASCs the most?
From prior authorization to payer consolidation, ASCs have long faced obstacles in securing reimbursements.
JOINT VENTURES
AdventHealth's surgery center expansion: 4 updates
AdventHealth has had a busy month expanding its surgical offerings, as the health system opened or acquired four centers in Florida and Kentucky.
Center for Special Surgery breaks ground on $26M medical campus with ASC
The Center for Special Surgery broke ground on a $26 million medical campus with an ASC in West Fargo, N.D., according to a June 11 news release.
9 joint-venture ASCs with 3+ partners
Becker's ASC Review reported on nine joint-venture ASCs opened or announced by three or more shareholders in 2021.
SCA's joint-venture ASC breaks ground in Minnesota
Developers broke ground May 20 on Surgical Care Affiliates' surgery center in partnership with Minneapolis-based Allina Health, CCX Media reported.
Tenet-owned health system building $400M campus with ASC
Tenet-owned Baptist Health System is planning a campus with an ASC that could approach $400 million at full build out, San Antonio Business Journal reported June 8.
GASTROENTROLOGY
5 issues GI execs are obsessing over
From private-equity investment to new screening recommendations, gastroenterology leaders are focusing on several industry shifts.
Gastroenterologist proposes surgery center, medical office in Minnesota: 3 details
A gastroenterologist is proposing to build a medical office and surgery center in Edina, Minn., The Edina Sun Current reported June 11.
What the pandemic revealed about GI
Some gastroenterologists say the pandemic has emphasized the important role that GI plays in preventive care.
Gastroenterologist pay drops to $406,000: 15 key statistics
Gastroenterologist pay dropped to $406,000, the seventh highest-paid specialty, with plastic surgeons beating orthopedic surgeons to the top spot in 2021.
Postoperative gastroenterology trends to know
Telemedicine and other technological advancements have changed the way gastroenterologists approach postoperative care.
ORTHOPEDICS
11 flagship facilities being developed by orthopedic groups
Expansion plans are rife among orthopedic practices in 2021. Here are 11 orthopedic groups developing flagship facilities:
Orthopedic surgeons critical of Intermountain's supplier switch
Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare's decision to drop Arthrex for DePuy Synthes products has come under fire, according to a report in The Salt Lake Tribune.
No regrets about dropping bundled payments, Rothman Orthopaedics president says
Although Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedics has eliminated bundled payments, its president, Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, said using them is still worth it for some practices.
Laser Spine Institute founder sues former attorneys, says they caused $400M in losses
Tampa, Fla.-based Laser Spine Institute founder James St. Louis, DO, claimed in a lawsuit his former lawyers caused him to lose more than $400 million in a judgment by not communicating with him and breaching its fiduciary responsibilities.
'The death knell for inpatient spine' & other forecasts for the setting in 5 years
The spine surgical landscape is expected to change dramatically as outpatient migration accelerates and CMSeliminates its inpatient-only list by 2024. Five spine surgeons discuss how inpatient spine surgery will look like five years from now.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Profit sharing, productivity bonuses for physicians: 7 Stark Law updates
CMS clarified the rule allowing in-office ancillary service referrals without violating Stark Law and announced changes that will take effect Jan. 1, 2022.
Top 10 ways physicians earn secondary income
One-third of physicians who responded to Medical Economics' salary, productivity and profession survey reported collecting secondary income last year.
Watch out doc: 5 worst states for physicians to practice, per Medscape
Medscape ranked the five worst states to practice, based on malpractice payouts, compensation, health system performance and physician happiness.
4 hospitals have closed this year — here's why
Whether it is insurance limitations, dwindling patient volume or the COVID-19 pandemic, many factors contribute to hospital closures. Since the beginning of the year, several hospitals have shut down.
Physician stabbed by patient sues Pennsylvania Hospital, alleges safety issues
A Pennsylvania Hospital physician who was stabbed multiple times by a patient in February sued the hospital June 16, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.