June 2022 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
Physicians can win big with ASC investments
Investment in an ASC is a long-term strategy for physicians, particularly those not employed by a hospital, to thrive financially and gain more control over their day-to-day workflow.
Can ASCs save healthcare?
Orthopedic surgeons think ASCs are saving the specialty amid high consolidation and the movement to value-based care. Can ASCs also save healthcare?
Good and bad news for surgery centers: 10 notes
Surgery center owners see many positive headwinds over the next year, but there are also challenges. Here are five pieces of good news and five pieces of bad news to know.
$1B joint venture sets sights on ASCs, medical office buildings
Big Sky Medical, a real estate investment manager, and Newmark, a real estate advisory and services company, have partnered to create a medical office building portfolio worth $1 billion, Commercial Property Exclusive reported April 18.
10 ASC companies ranked by number of surgery centers
Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International and Nashville, Tenn.-based AmSurg rank No. 1 and No. 2 as ASC companies with the most surgery centers.
Optum ups offer 223% in bid for physician group
Optum received clearance to buy a 30-location independent physician organization in Massachusetts after significantly increasing the amount it intends to pay for and invest in the group, according to The Boston Globe.
Surgical Care Affiliates rebrands to go beyond ASCs
Surgical Care Affiliates, one of the largest ASC networks in the U.S., rebranded to SCA Health.
22-year-old Hawaii ASC in danger of closing
Hilo (Hawaii) Community Surgery Center, is in danger of closing due to low volume, its owners told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
ASCs' biggest enemies to patient care
Supply chain issues and CMS policies are two of the big obstacles ASCs face in providing patient care.
10 ASCs leaders on positive signs for the industry
With low infection rates and fast turnarounds, ASCs are increasingly viewed as ideal sites of outpatient services.
ASC platform lands health system investment
Banner Health, a Phoenix-based health system, invested in surgery center development company Atlas Healthcare Partners.
ASC MANAGEMENT
ASCs want to ditch insurers
Physician groups and surgery centers are increasingly cutting insurers from the care delivery equation and contracting directly with employers and cash-paying patients.
Why ASCs could beat inflation, per Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett, billionaire CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, made a projection at the company's annual shareholders meeting that bodes well for ASCs during times of high inflation.
Good and bad news for surgery centers: 10 notes
Surgery center owners see many positive headwinds over the next year, but there are also challenges. Here are five pieces of good news and five pieces of bad news to know.
10 ASC companies ranked by number of surgery centers
Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International and Nashville, Tenn.-based AmSurg rank No. 1 and No. 2 as ASC companies with the most surgery centers.
ASC sues UnitedHealthcare for failure to cover surgery
Advanced Surgery Center in Fort Lee, N.J., has filed a lawsuit against UnitedHealthcare for allegedly failing to pay for hernia-related procedures.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
ASCs' biggest enemies to patient care
Supply chain issues and CMS policies are two of the big obstacles ASCs face in providing patient care.
Can ASCs save healthcare?
Orthopedic surgeons think ASCs are saving the specialty amid high consolidation and the movement to value-based care. Can ASCs also save healthcare?
ASCs' time-saving abilities will drive success, administrator says
For Dianna Reed, administrator of Templeton, Calif.-based Sani Eye Surgery Center, ASCs' bright future hinges on their ability to save patients and physicians time.
Physicians' biggest opportunities for growth
From declining reimbursements to increasing practice costs, the current healthcare landscape has made it difficult for many physicians to thrive, but some healthcare leaders say there are distinct opportunities for physicians to prosper in the next five years.
10 ASCs leaders on positive signs for the industry
With low infection rates and fast turnarounds, ASCs are increasingly viewed as ideal sites of outpatient services.
ORTHOPEDICS
Massachusetts orthopedic hospital converting to outpatient model
Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield, Mass., will close its remaining inpatient beds and convert to an outpatient clinic model, local NBC affiliate WWLP reported April 20.
Percentage of female orthopedic physicians grows to 11%
The percentage of women in orthopedics has grown since 2021, according to Medscape's "Physician Compensation Report 2022."
'This gets a lot bigger than just hockey': NHL sets spinal disc replacement precedent in pro sports
In late 2021, Las Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel and Chicago Blackhawks forward Tyler Johnson became the first and second active NHL players to undergo artificial disc replacement. Three months after their surgeries, both players returned to competitive action.
Ohio orthopedic group approved for $15M; expansion to add up to 12 jobs
The Western Reserve Port Authority approved issuing a revenue bond of up to $15 million to support the expansion of Youngstown (Ohio) Orthopaedic Associates, the Youngstown Business Journal reported April 20.
ASCs, technology, consolidation & more: The trends that are saving orthopedics
The migration of outpatient procedures, consolidation under orthopedic supergroups and innovative technologies were among the top trends surgeons credited with saving the specialty.
JOINT VENTURES
$1B joint venture sets sights on ASCs, medical office buildings
Big Sky Medical, a real estate investment manager, and Newmark, a real estate advisory and services company, have partnered to create a medical office building portfolio worth $1 billion, Commercial Property Exclusive reported April 18.
Michigan hospital opens joint venture ASC
Southfield, Mich.-based Beaumont Health is opening an outpatient campus with an ASC.
New $13M California ASC to offer services from 70 physicians
San Francisco-based Dignity Health is opening a $13 million ASC, The Sacramento Bee reported April 12.
Private equity firm building $18M plaza with ASC in Texas
Private equity firm Hammes Partners is building an $18 million medical plaza with an ASC in McAllen, Texas, Milwaukee Business Journal reported April 8.
Physician-led multispecialty network lands partnership with 5-practice eye center
US Eye, a physician-led multispecialty group, has partnered with Kelly Eye Center, which has five locations throughout greater Raleigh, N.C.
GASTROENTROLOGY
4 trends propelling gastroenterology forward
Jason Richardson, CEO of Gastroenterology of the Rockies in Louisville, Colo., spoke with Becker's to discuss what trends are positively affecting the gastroenterology industry.
Young gastroenterologists are 'running away' from private practice, physician says
Young gastroenterologists are increasingly choosing to work for hospitals over going into private practice, but according to Adam Levy, MD, they are missing out on autonomy and future financial gains.
Illinois gastroenterology group reveals data breach
Gurnee-based Illinois Gastroenterology Group was hit with a network breach in October, the company said April 22.
Private practice attracts physicians with an 'appetite for risk,' gastroenterologist says
In the current healthcare climate, only physicians who are willing to risk the comforts of employment will turn to private practice, according to Gabriel Ionescu, MD.
The financial burden of colonoscopies amid rising CRC cases
Rising labor and supply costs paired with declining reimbursements are making colonoscopy unattractive for many gastroenterologists, drawing concern from many amid a rise of advanced stage colorectal cancer.
TRANSACTIONS
Optum's multibillion-dollar acquisition spree: 3 deals to know
Healthcare giant Optum, which owns and operates Deerfield, Ill.-based ASC management company Surgical Care Affiliates, is on an acquisition spree. The company has made three multimillion-dollar deals in 2022.
Steindler Orthopedic sells $11M Iowa medical office building
Steindler Orthopedic Clinic has sold the building housing its clinic in Iowa City, Iowa, for $11 million, Corridor Business Journal reported April 29.
HCA dives deeper into urgent care market
Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare plans to acquire BetterMed, a Fredericksburg, Va.-based chain of 12 outpatient urgent care centers, Richmond BizSense reported April 28.
What to know about Surgical Care Affiliates
Deerfield, Ill.-based Surgical Care Affiliates, one of the largest ASC companies by number of centers, has more than 260 ASCs in its portfolio.
What to know about USPI
Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International, an affiliate of Tenet Healthcare, is the nation's largest ASC chain. As of March 31, the company had an interest in 404 ambulatory surgery centers and 24 surgical hospitals in 34 states.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Hospitals seek 15% pay bump from insurers — what should ASCs ask for?
Hospitals across the U.S. are seeing labor and supply costs rise with inflation and are clashing with insurers about raising contracted rates, according to The Wall Street Journal.
What's driving physician revenue
Higher patient demand drove increases in physician productivity and revenue in the first quarter of 2022, according to Kaufman Hall's "Physician Flash Report" published May 2.
What physicians should know about buy-in agreements
Buy-in agreements determine a physician's compensation, ownership stake, management responsibilities and more. Here's what physicians should know, according to a May 4 Medical Economics article.
Physician 'gold card' exemptions for prior authorizations gain steam
States are looking at ways to improve the prior authorization process for providers, including "gold card" exemptions.
USC Keck physicians vote to join union
Resident and fellow physicians at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles have voted to unionize with the Committee of Interns and Residents.