March/April 2022 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
4 major obstacles for the ASC industry
Andrew Lovewell, administrator at the Surgical Center at Columbia (Mo.) Orthopaedic Group and CEO of the Lodge at Keene Street, joined Becker's ASC Review to discuss his biggest concerns in the upcoming year.
The next 3 hot spots for ASC growth
The number of ASCs in Florida and Texas have grown rapidly in the past five years due to an increased demand for elective surgery and a favorable regulatory environment.
USPI vs. SCA vs. Surgery Partners: How big 3 stack up
The largest ASC chains keep getting bigger, and three of the top companies have hundreds of ASCs and thousands of physicians.
Bad news for Optum
Amid lingering antitrust issues, Optum's $13 billion acquisition of data analytics firm Change Healthcare is facing more hurdles. Optum owns one of the biggest ASC chains in the U.S., Surgical Care Affiliates, and the company's plans to grow its data capabilities could be in jeopardy after the Justice Department sued to stop the acquisition.
Largest ASC chains by No. of physicians — USPI has 11,000+
More than 4,500 physicians joined three of the largest ASC chains in 2021, with Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International, a subsidiary of Tenet Healthcare, further pulling ahead of its competitors, both in terms of the number of physicians and surgery centers.
ASC power players: 5 people to know
The ASC industry is growing and will become an even more essential element of the healthcare ecosystem as value-based care takes hold.
4 ways GI ASCs can thrive in a competitive market
The lowering of the colorectal cancer screening age and the acceleration of the outpatient migration leaves gastroenterology ASCs and endoscopy centers primed for growth.
Surgery Center Services of America opening 6 ASCs
Mesa, Ariz.-based Surgery Center Services of America has plans to open six ASCs in the next year, CEO Philip Blair told Becker's ASC Review.
Average ASC revenue per case for each specialty: 2022
Orthopedics tops the pack for ASC revenue per case, according to VMG Health's "Multi-Specialty ASC Benchmarking Study" for 2022. The specialty was only the fourth most-represented among ASC cases, however.
The 'sure thing' investment ASC owners should capitalize on
With the U.S. stock market tanking in recent weeks, many investors' portfolios have taken a hit. But those with ASC real estate ownership may not have much to worry about.
ASC MANAGEMENT
Bad news for Optum
Amid lingering antitrust issues, Optum's $13 billion acquisition of data analytics firm Change Healthcare is facing more hurdles. Optum owns one of the biggest ASC chains in the U.S., Surgical Care Affiliates, and the company's plans to grow its data capabilities could be in jeopardy after the Justice Department sued to stop the acquisition.
USPI vs. SCA vs. Surgery Partners: How big 3 stack up
The largest ASC chains keep getting bigger, and three of the top companies have hundreds of ASCs and thousands of physicians.
Commercial payers driving cases to ASCs; orthopedics most primed for growth
A growing number of commercial insurers are revamping policies to push providers and patients out of the hospital and into ASCs, where procedures can be performed at a lower cost.
Average ASC revenue per case for each specialty: 2022
Orthopedics tops the pack for ASC revenue per case, according to VMG Health's "Multi-Specialty ASC Benchmarking Study" for 2022. The specialty was only the fourth most-represented among ASC cases, however.
Inflation hits ASCs, physicians hard
The cost of essential goods jumped 7 percent last year, outpacing the reimbursement increases to healthcare providers across the board.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
4 major obstacles for the ASC industry
Andrew Lovewell, administrator at the Surgical Center at Columbia (Mo.) Orthopaedic Group and CEO of the Lodge at Keene Street, joined Becker's ASC Review to discuss his biggest concerns in the upcoming year.
MSOs vs. private equity: How consolidation trends will play out in orthopedics
Musculoskeletal management services organizations and private equity firms continue to make inroads into the orthopedic field as small to midsize independent groups look for strategic partnerships to allow them to grow and maintain their autonomy.
ASC leaders grade Biden, CMS' 2021 performance
CMS reinstating the inpatient-only list and President Joe Biden's healthcare vaccination mandate were two of the most prominent events in a year of massive flux in the ASC industry.
Here's how ASCs can win in value-based programs
Shannon Yarrow, senior vice president of managed care at Brentwood, Tenn.-based Surgery Partners, joined "Becker's ASC Review Podcast" to talk about ASCs capitalizing on value-based payment programs.
CMS moves boost value-based care in ASCs
Both payers and CMS have noticed opportunities in value-based care to lower costs and strengthen patient care.
JOINT VENTURES
Surgery Center Services of America opening 6 ASCs
Mesa, Ariz.-based Surgery Center Services of America has plans to open six ASCs in the next year, CEO Philip Blair told Becker's ASC Review.
$375 million joint venture project with ambulatory pavilion breaks ground in DC
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, Universal Health Services, George Washington University and Children's National Hospital broke ground on a medical center with an ambulatory pavilion.
There's a new ASC-connected private equity venture in town
Private equity firms Vesey Street Capital Partners and MD Healthcare Partners are joining to build a multisite healthcare services platform.
HCA, Atlantic Orthopaedics finish ASC in New Hampshire
Construction of Portsmouth, N.H.-based New England Center for Orthopaedic Surgery has been completed.
Health system adding 4 ASCs in Arizona: 6 details
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Apricus Health plans to add four ASCs in the state this year, the Phoenix Business Journal reported Feb. 15.
ORTHOPEDICS
Stryker says nearly 10% of its knee business is in ASCs
ASCs comprised nearly 10 percent of Stryker's knee business last year, and the company expects the move of orthopedic surgeries to the outpatient setting will continue.
Florida ASC sues Cigna for $434K spine reimbursement
Melbourne, Fla.-based Surgery Center of Viera filed a lawsuit Jan. 20 in Florida Middle District Court in Orlando against Cigna and Strategic Enterprise Solutions.
Reimbursement for total joints, spine and big ENT cases to go up, ASC admin says
Cori Prisco, DNP, RN, administrator at Fort Lee, N.J.-based Hudson Crossing Surgery Center, joined "Becker's Ambulatory Surgery Centers Podcast" to discuss ASC payer trends in the near future.
Smart implants hold big promise for orthopedic, spine surgery
Recent innovations in sensor technologies demonstrated huge potential in orthopedic surgery, evolving beyond the bulky, expensive and less reliable technologies of the past.
Terminated New York orthopedic surgeon gets community support
Residents in Warsaw, N.Y., are petitioning Wyoming County Community Hospital to reinstate a terminated orthopedic surgeon, Livingston County News reported Feb. 19.
GASTROENTROLOGY
Gastro Health vs. GI Alliance vs. PE GI Solutions: How the big 3 stack up
Gastro Health, GI Alliance and PE GI Solutions are three of the largest private equity-backed gastroenterology groups in the industry.
The rise of gastroenterology megagroups
Gastroenterology has been characterized by consolidation and the growth of management service organizations and megagroups.
Top 10 most-recruited physicians — Gastroenterologists are No. 4
For more than a decade, family physicians have been the most heavily recruited physicians in the U.S., but specialist recruiting increased significantly last year as COVID-19 caused a decrease in office visits, according to Physicians Thrive.
Colorectal cancer cases spike; patients urged to get screenings
Nashville, Tenn.-based AmSurg has urged patients to undergo timely and appropriate screenings for colorectal cancer after it noted an increase in diagnoses last year.
4 ways GI ASCs can thrive in a competitive market
The lowering of the colorectal cancer screening age and the acceleration of the outpatient migration leaves gastroenterology ASCs and endoscopy centers primed for growth.
TRANSACTIONS
The next 3 hot spots for ASC growth
The number of ASCs in Florida and Texas have grown rapidly in the past five years due to an increased demand for elective surgery and a favorable regulatory environment.
USPI paid $78M for Compass Surgical Partners ASCs
Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International spent $78 million to acquire the ownership of eight Compass Surgical Partners ASCs last year, USPI's parent company Tenet Healthcare revealed during the company's 2021 earnings call Feb. 8.
IRA Capital gets $80.7M for ASC real estate acquisitions
Private equity firm IRA Capital landed $80.7 million in financing from First Citizens Bank for ASC property acquisitions in Florida and Louisiana.
The healthcare deals in the FTC's crosshairs
Healthcare deals are heating up as costs rise to provide healthcare services without a similar increase in pay. The Federal Trade Commision is keeping a close eye on industry transactions to halt any anticompetitive behavior.
Alabama ASC is EyeSouth's 29th acquisition
Gadsden (Ala.) Eye Associates, which includes Northeast Alabama Eye Surgery Center, has joined Atlanta-based EyeSouth Partners.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
The healthcare story we still need to get right
"Healthcare workers are quitting in droves because they are burned out." That's the convenient story. But is it the right one?
US unemployment claims sink to 52-year low
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits declined last week, and the number of people collecting unemployment benefits hit the lowest level since 1970, the Labor Department reported Feb. 24.
White House releases plan to strengthen supply chain
The Biden administration released long-term actions it plans to take to boost supply chain resiliency Feb. 24.
Walmart looks to add 50,000 jobs, including in new health business
Walmart is looking to hire 50,000 new employees by the end of April to fill both store roles and to expand its health and wellness teams, The Wall Street Journal reported March 16.
What happens next with travel nurse pay?
Travel nurse pay doubled, and in some cases tripled, during the pandemic as staff shortages increased rapidly and healthcare providers needed additional support.