June 2020 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
The 'new normal' for ASCs: 16 admins on how the pandemic will change the field forever
Sixteen ASC administrators project what the "new normal" will be at their centers as a result of the pandemic.
Texas eye practice retained all 450 employees during shutdowns, prepares to reopen
With the help of telemedicine, Houston-based Berkeley Eye Center was able to retain its entire workforce of 450 employees during practice shutdowns forced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
USPI has seen 40% of pre-pandemic cases as ASCs reopen, Tenet says
USPI reported surgical cases dropped 28.6 percent in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit just as the company was reporting accelerated growth. But its centers are beginning to reopen and USPI has seen around 40 percent of its pre-COVID-19 cases, the company reported.
Top 29 physician salaries for 2020
Medscape released its Physician Compensation Report 2020, examining how COVID-19 affected clinician salaries. Medscape surveyed 17,461 clinicians across more than 30 specialties from across the U.S. between Oct. 4, 2019, to Feb. 10, 2020. Gastroenterologists made up 2 percent of survey respondents.
Cardiology society supports migration of select cardiology procedures to ASCs
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions issued a statement in support of CMS' decision to allow select percutaneous coronary interventions to be performed in the ASC setting.
5 things to know about surprise billing during the COVID-19 pandemic
The days of surprise medical billing may be numbered due to emerging legislation around the COVID-19 pandemic.
Envision parent KKR sets sights on new transactions: 5 things to know
Deal-making is on the horizon for KKR, the parent company of Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare, according to Bloomberg.
New Mexico orthopedic practice closes
Las Cruces (N.M.) Orthopaedic Associates will shut down permanently May 11 as a result of "unforeseen circumstances" potentially tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, the practice announced May 4.
Spine surgery in the next 3 months: 6 observations
Here are six observations for spine surgeons on the COVID-19 pandemic and where the industry is headed in the next several months.
ASC MANAGEMENT
The effect COVID-19 had on this New York practice
Orthopedists, gastroenterologists, neurosurgeons and other specialists have postponed thousands of procedures since New York's temporary ban on elective surgeries took effect March 16, according to The Buffalo News.
New Mexico man sues state over delayed elective procedure
Edward Tsyitee is suing the state of New Mexico because of a health order that required facilities to cancel elective surgical procedures in the state, The NM Political Report reports.
The top-earning physician specialties in 2019: Cardiology & urology
Physician income in 2019 varied from specialty to specialty, according to the "91st Annual Medical Economics Physician Report." Healthcare Research & Analytics distributed the survey via email in February, collecting 1,055 responses across 17 specialties. Twenty-nine percent of physicians surveyed were family medicine specialists, and internal medicine physicians represented 20 percent.
Ransomware attack affects 13,000+ patients' info at Alaska surgical practice
Palmer, Alaska-based Mat-Su Surgical Associates reported a ransomware attack that affected thousands of patients' information.
90% of surgical volume lost to COVID-19, Texas orthopedic practice says
San Antonio-based TSAOG Orthopaedics lost 90 percent of its surgical volume and half its office visits from mid-March through April, the San Antonio Business Journal reports.
JOINT VENTURES
60 new ASCs during Q1 2020
There are 60 new ASCs that opened or were announced during the first quarter of 2020.
North American Partners in Anesthesia expands Connecticut presence
Melville, N.Y.-based North American Partners in Anesthesia partnered with Waterbury (Conn.) Hospital to absorb the practice's anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists.
Florida hospital seeks approval for new location with surgery center
Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla., is seeking approval to build a new hospital with a surgery center, an emergency room and retail spaces in St. Johns County, The St. Augustine Record reports.
USPI has seen 40% of pre-pandemic cases as ASCs reopen, Tenet says
USPI reported surgical cases dropped 28.6 percent in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit just as the company was reporting accelerated growth. But its centers are beginning to reopen and USPI has seen around 40 percent of its pre-COVID-19 cases, the company reported.
Envision parent KKR sets sights on new transactions: 5 things to know
Deal-making is on the horizon for KKR, the parent company of Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare, according to Bloomberg.
ORTHOPEDICS
Stryker's April sales down 35-40%, but recovery expected in the coming months: 6 key points from CEO Kevin Lobo
Stryker Chairman and CEO Kevin Lobo addressed several key trends for the company over the next few months and year during the first quarter conference call, as transcribed by Seeking Alpha.
5 orthopedic practice mergers, acquisitions in 2020 so far
There have been five big orthopedic and spine practice mergers and acquisitions in the first quarter of 2020.
Dr. Choll Kim: Changes in spine that will stay after pandemic restrictions are lifted
The need for physicians to rely on telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked the idea of creating a virtual center of excellence for spine surgeons around the globe.
New Mexico orthopedic practice closes
Las Cruces (N.M.) Orthopaedic Associates will shut down permanently May 11 as a result of "unforeseen circumstances" potentially tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, the practice announced May 4.
Spine surgery in the next 3 months: 6 observations
Here are six observations for spine surgeons on the COVID-19 pandemic and where the industry is headed in the next several months.
GASTROENTROLOGY
5 statistics on gastroenterologist salary
Medscape released its Physician Compensation Report 2020, examining how COVID-19 affected clinician salaries. Medscape surveyed 17,461 clinicians across more than 30 specialties from across the U.S. between Oct. 4, 2019, to Feb. 10, 2020. Gastroenterologists made up 2 percent of survey respondents.
Meet new AGA President Dr. M. Bishr Omary
M. Bishr Omary, MD, PhD, will become the 115th president of the American Gastroenterological Association Institute June 1.
Exact Sciences pivots to telemedicine in a COVID-19 world — 4 quotes on the company's Q1 performance
Exact Sciences posted first-quarter 2020 revenues of $347.8 million, a 114 percent year-over-year increase, but still realized a net loss of $105.7 million, or $0.71 per share.
Coding & billing for telehealth in GI: 8 things to know
Remote communication is enabling gastroenterology groups to continue practicing during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News.
AbbVie completes $63B Allergan merger
AbbVie completed its $63 billion acquisition of Allergan May 8, adding around $30 billion in full-year 2020 revenues.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
The business of moving spine cases to surgery centers
“Every success story is a tale of constant adaptation, revision and change.” - Richard Branson
8 observations on the outlook for ASCS post-pandemic
Here are eight observations on how ASC owners and operators are thinking about the post-pandemic period and what they expect in the future.
Hoag sues to end Providence affiliation
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, a two-hospital network based in Newport Beach, Calif., is trying to sever its ties to Renton, Wash.-based Providence.
Pennsylvania hospital to close, lay off 694 if sale collapses
Steward Health Care will close Easton (Pa.) Hospital and lay off its 694 workers in June if it's unable to sell the facility, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice filed with the state.
Amazon, JPMorgan, Berkshire Hathaway venture seeking new CEO
Haven CEO Atul Gawande, MD, aims to step back from the day-to-day operations of the company and become chairman, the Wall Street Journal reported.