May/June 2020 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
Life after ramp-up: How COVID-19 will change ASCs forever
In certain states, the COVID-19 pandemic curve is shrinking and calls to restart elective surgery programs are growing louder by the day.
Outpatient joint replacements to 'skyrocket over next 10 years,' says Dr. Richard Berger
The Western Society of Engineers recently recognized orthopedic surgeon Richard Berger, MD, with the 2020 Washington Award for his contributions to joint replacement.
The story behind Webster Equity Partners' deal to partner with Gastro One
Private equity firm Webster Equity Partners partnered with Memphis, Tenn.-based Gastro One April 8, creating gastroenterology's seventh PE-backed platform, One GI, in the process.
6 details on MedPAC's report to Congress: Number of ASCs up 2.6% in 2018 and more
MedPAC released its 2020 report, including recommendations to maintain beneficiary access to ASC services and requiring ASCs, keeping providers under financial pressure to constrain costs and require centers to submit cost data.
UnitedHealthcare, Optum accelerating $2B in provider payments & support — 6 details
UnitedHealth Group is accelerating nearly $2 billion in payments and financial support to U.S. healthcare providers through its UnitedHealthcare and Optum subsidiaries, according to an April 7 announcement.
US ASC market to hit $84.1B by 2027 — 4 market insights
The U.S. ASC market could grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.6 percent through 2027, reaching a value of $84.1 billion, according to a report by Coherent Market Insights.
Surgery Partners Q1 revenue up 5.8%, received $45M in CARES Act funding: 6 details
Surgery partners reported revenues were up in the first quarter based on the company's success before the pandemic hit.
Outpatient spine surgery: 8 things to know heading into 2020
Spine surgery in ASCs is becoming more common as procedures become less invasive and payers are more willing to reimburse for spine cases in the outpatient setting.
From preparation to ramp-up: United Digestive shares its COVID-19 plans
Private equity-backed management service organization United Digestive responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in full force and has begun talks on how it will restart its practice once the pandemic begins to subside.
ASC MANAGEMENT
6 details on MedPAC's report to Congress: Number of ASCs up 2.6% in 2018 and more
MedPAC released its 2020 report, including recommendations to maintain beneficiary access to ASC services and requiring ASCs, keeping providers under financial pressure to constrain costs and require centers to submit cost data.
CMS relaxes ASC, hospital outpatient quality reporting requirements due to COVID-19
CMS is granting exceptions to Medicare quality reporting requirements to ease the burden on providers battling the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency announced March 22.
Mayo Clinic pauses all construction to combat $3B deficit — 4 insights
Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic has a $3 billion systemwide deficit that is forcing a series of operational changes, the Jacksonville Business Journal reports.
Hospitals forfeit major revenue stream by delaying elective surgeries — 5 things to know
CMS, the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association and the American College of Surgeons are among the many organizations asking hospitals to minimize, postpone or cancel elective procedures until the COVID-19 outbreak is under control.
Surgery Partners makes move for financial flexibility, withdraws 2020 outlook due to COVID-19: 4 details
Surgery Partners filed a form 8-K and withdrew its full year 2020 outlook, according to Market Exclusive.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
The struggle for ASC independence: Gastroenterologist Michael DiMarino weighs in
Michael DiMarino, MD, is a gastroenterologist practicing at Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia. Here, he shares his thoughts on ASC growth, potential headwinds and more.
'It's like building a moon colony': 2 surgeons on starting an outpatient total joint program
The Oregon Surgical Institute in Beaverton, Ore., an ASC dedicated solely to outpatient joint replacements, opened last year. Two of the institutes partner surgeons, Drs. Jim Ballard and Chris Nanson, shared their thoughts on their experience opening the center with Regent Surgical Health.
US ASC market to hit $84.1B by 2027 — 4 market insights
The U.S. ASC market could grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.6 percent through 2027, reaching a value of $84.1 billion, according to a report by Coherent Market Insights.
Outpatient joint replacements to 'skyrocket over next 10 years,' says Dr. Richard Berger
The Western Society of Engineers recently recognized orthopedic surgeon Richard Berger, MD, with the 2020 Washington Award for his contributions to joint replacement.
5 ways ASCs could be affected long after the pandemic
For surgery centers, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could linger long after the crisis is contained.
JOINT VENTURES
Surgery Partners Q1 revenue up 5.8%, received $45M in CARES Act funding: 6 details
Surgery partners reported revenues were up in the first quarter based on the company's success before the pandemic hit.
Surgery center grand opening canceled due to coronavirus
Winfield, Kan.-based William Newton Hospital canceled a surgery center opening ceremony scheduled for March 8 after the state confirmed its first case of COVID-19 and braced for a second, The Wichita Eagle reports.
Staying in business during the COVID-19 crisis: 5 key strategies
The American Medical Association shared several strategies for keeping a medical practice in business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tenet withdraws 2020 outlook, USPI centers focus on urgent care during COVID-19: 4 updates
Due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare is updating its financial forecast for 2020 and making changes to surgery center services.
Cardiology ASC underway in New Mexico
A cardiology ASC and medical office building is under development in Las Cruces, N.M., according to Guide Architecture, a firm involved in the project.
ORTHOPEDICS
Outpatient spine surgery: 8 things to know heading into 2020
Spine surgery in ASCs is becoming more common as procedures become less invasive and payers are more willing to reimburse for spine cases in the outpatient setting.
ISASS names Dr. Frank Phillips president for 2020-21
Frank Phillips, MD, became the president of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery at the organization's annual meeting on Feb. 26 to 28 in Puerto Rico.
Smith+Nephew CEO focusing on orthopedic ASC market: 11 things to know about Roland Diggelmann
Smith+Nephew CEO Roland Diggelmann is approaching his sixth month as head of the medical device company and turning his attention to the growing orthopedic ASC market this year.
5 orthopedic expansion projects costing $200M+
Since Jan. 1, Becker's Spine Review has covered five expansion projects that cost at least $200 million and expand orthopedic services:
Texas spine surgeons denied new trial in $40M kickback dispute
Three spine surgeons were denied motions for a new trial March 23 after a Texas federal judge deemed their arguments meritless, reports Law360.
GASTROENTROLOGY
Similar core values, mission drive Gastro One to sign deal with Webster Equity Partners
Private equity firm Webster Equity Partners partnered with Memphis, Tenn.-based Gastro One April 8, creating gastroenterology's seventh PE-backed platform, One GI, in the process.
How to reopen your endoscopy center
The American College of Gastroenterology released a guide for practices on reopening endoscopy centers, offering a comprehensive breakdown of the factors centers must consider before reopening.
AmSurg ASC diagnoses patient with rectal cancer after colonoscopy — A delay could have been fatal
Like COVID-19, colon cancer is an invisible disease that can be fatal; it is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. among men and women combined, according to AmSurg, a Nashville, Tenn.-based ASC management company.
How 4 centers across the U.S. reopened & the new standards they set
As more states allow elective procedures to resume, orthopedic practices and surgery centers are working tirelessly to restart their surgical programs.
Utah gastroenterologist pays $100K to settle accusation of HIPAA violation
A Utah gastroenterologist has agreed to pay the HHS' Office of Civil Rights $100,000 for a corrective action plan related to a potential violation of a HIPAA security rule.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Kansas hospital abruptly closes, blames physicians for financial troubles
Sumner Community Hospital in Wellington, Kan., closed March 12 without providing notice to employees or the local community, according to the Wichita Business Journal.
A look back at swine flu: 8 facts about the world's last pandemic in 2009
The World Health Organization on March 11 declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, the first such declaration in 11 years.
Arizona CRNA arrested for alleged narcotics theft at ASC, health system
A certified registered nurse anesthetist was arrested in Arizona Feb. 27 for allegedly stealing narcotics from Sunrise Ambulatory Surgical Center and Summit Healthcare, according to wmicentral.com.
'This is going to be the death blow': Coronavirus threatens to shut hundreds of rural hospitals
The coronavirus pandemic may close hundreds of rural hospitals across the U.S., the National Rural Health Association and hospital CEOs are warning, according to Kaiser Health News.
Top, bottom 5 states for physician pay, via WalletHub
Many of the best states for physician pay are in the South and Midwest, according to the 2020 best and worst states for physicians list from personal finance website WalletHub.