September/October 2020 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
10 most expensive ASC procedures
A breast reconstruction procedure was the most expensive procedure done at ASCs in 2019, according to a Definitive Healthcare ranking.
20 bold predictions about the ASC industry over the next 5 years
Twenty ASC owners, administrators and operators share one bold prediction about new specialties and procedures, mergers and acquisitions, and overall outlook for the ASC industry.
How CMS' proposals could affect ASCs in 2021
CMS released its proposals for 2021 in early August, which made several drastic cuts to payment rates for both general and specialty surgeons.
Walmart Health is expanding: 5 things for ASC execs to know
Walmart continues to grow in the healthcare space.
'Newsweek' to rank the best ASCs in 25 states: 5 details
Newsweek is partnering with global research firm Statista to rank the country's best ASCs.
Top-paying jobs in 2020 — Surgeons are No. 1
Healthcare dominates the list of best-paying occupations in 2020, according to a CEOWorld Magazine ranking.
'We want people to understand why we're upset' — 5 surgery, specialty group leaders on CMS' proposed 2021 fee schedule
CMS released its Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule for 2021 Aug. 3, which could result in drastic cuts for surgeons across the board.
Texas ASC files for bankruptcy — 3 details
San Antonio-based Babcock Surgical Center filed for bankruptcy, according to the San Antonio Business Journal.
7 big trends in GI this year — COVID-19's effect, compensation & more
With the dog days of summer in the rear view, gastroenterology has had a specialty-changing year severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the specialty is gradually recovering and moving forward. Here are seven trends that will shape the specialty going forward:
8 statistics on ASC leader pay: 53% make $120,000+
ASC leaders are reporting an increase in annual compensation in 2020, according to OR Manager's "2020 Career & Salary Survey."
Surgery Partners names new vice president of integration
Surgery Partners welcomed Steve Marshall as vice president of integration, according to an Aug. 17 LinkedIn post.
AmSurg taps cardiology leader as next president — 3 details
Jeff Snodgrass will be the new president of AmSurg, one of the country's largest ASC operators and the ambulatory division of Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare.
ASC MANAGEMENT
The best hospitals for GI in every state from 'U.S. News & World Report'
U.S. News & World Report released its 2020-21 Best Hospitals rankings July 28.
Feds accuse UPMC surgeons of illegal billing, failure to properly obtain patient consent — 3 details
A federal lawsuit unsealed in June alleges that UPMC illegally billed CMS for cases in which surgeons neglected to obtain proper patient consent, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
8 statistics on ASC leader pay: 53% make $120,000+
ASC leaders are reporting an increase in annual compensation in 2020, according to OR Manager's "2020 Career & Salary Survey."
Hospital founder to serve 66 months in prison, pay $82.9M over fraud scheme
An anesthesiologist was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to involvement in a $200 million fraud scheme at Dallas-based Forest Park Medical Center, a now-defunct physician-owned hospital for bariatric and spinal patients, according to the Department of Justice.
California surgery center owner, companion allegedly defrauded $51M+ from insurance companies
Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Wellness Wave surgical center owner Randy Rosen, MD, and his companion allegedly defrauded 18 insurance companies for more than $51 million, local NBC affiliate NBC 4 reports.
ADMINISTRATOR THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
How CMS' proposals could affect ASCs in 2021
CMS released its proposals for 2021 in early August, which made several drastic cuts to payment rates for both general and specialty surgeons.
19 most-recruited physician specialties
Healthcare recruiting activity is shifting toward medical specialties, with this category representing 78 percent of Merritt Hawkins' physician search engagements in a year's time.
'We want people to understand why we're upset' — 5 surgery, specialty group leaders on CMS' proposed 2021 fee schedule
CMS released its Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule for 2021 Aug. 3, which could result in drastic cuts for surgeons across the board.
30 key notes on the CEOs of the 6 largest ASC companies
Here are 30 things to know about the leaders of the leaders of the larges ASC companies in the U.S.
Who leads Surgery Partners? 20 things to know
Surgery Partners is one of the largest ASC chains in the U.S. with more than 180 locations nationwide.
JOINT VENTURES
7 financial management tips to help ASCs capitalize on a rebounding ASC market
In mid-March, hospitals across the country halted elective surgeries due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. While many ASCs did experience initial shock—volume across the nation dropped 80% between February and April—most ASCs have now rebounded to pre-pandemic activity.
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.
Texas ASC files for bankruptcy — 3 details
San Antonio-based Babcock Surgical Center filed for bankruptcy, according to the San Antonio Business Journal.
Ohio health system acquires surgery center for $21M
Cincinnati-based TriHealth paid $21 million to acquire an outpatient surgery center in Anderson Township, Ohio, in a cost-reducing move, the Cincinnati Business Courier reports.
Hybrid ASC is up and running with 43 cardiac partners: 6 things to know
After acquiring an ASC earlier this year, US Cardio Partners equipped it with a catheterization lab. The hybrid facility is now open to patients, CEO Cliff Crossett said in a phone interview with Becker's ASC Review.
ORTHOPEDICS
Former spine surgeon accidentally burns down mansion in evidence-destroying venture
Mark Kuper, MD, and wife Melissa Kuper accidentally burned down their $1.6 million Fort Worth, Texas, house when Mrs. Kuper allegedly burned medical records in an attempt to hide evidence of fraudulent medical claims, state prosecutors alleged in an indictment filed against the couple June 17.
Coronavirus delays trial of spine surgeon who fled US after allegedly performing 500+ unnecessary surgeries
Former Cincinnati-based spine surgeon Atiq Durrani, MD, fled to Pakistan in 2013 after he was charged with performing unnecessary surgeries on more than 500 patients, local NBC affiliate WLWT5 reports.
$368M+ in undisclosed spine journal industry contributions found in study; researchers want transparency
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are advocating for more transparency from spine journal authors after finding more than $368 million in undisclosed industry contributions in a recent study, according to News-Medical.
Dr. James Chappuis sues Emory Healthcare, surgeon alleging defamation: 6 details
An Atlanta-based spine surgeon filed a lawsuit on July 29 against Emory Healthcare and Daniel Refai, MD.
6 billionaire doctors in the US have a combined net worth of $25.3B
Six physicians are currently on the Forbes Billionaires list.
GASTROENTROLOGY
10 GI groups growing in 2020
Ten gastroenterology groups with plans to grow their footprint, workforce or services in 2020:
Physicians see overall pay boost, but GI compensation falls most among any specialty
While physician compensation increased in general from 2018-19, increases in compensation per work relative value unit weren't as pronounced as other years, according to AMGA's 33rd "2020 Medical Group Compensation and Productivity Survey."
Anthem: Shifting certain GI procedures to ASCs could create $12B in savings
Colonoscopies and upper gastrointestinal procedures cost an average of 1.7 times more in a hospital outpatient department than they cost in an ASC, according to a July report from Anthem's Public Policy Institute.
The best hospitals for GI in every state from 'U.S. News & World Report'
U.S. News & World Report released its 2020-21 Best Hospitals rankings July 28.
AGA recommends pivot from colonoscopy-only testing
A team of 60 gastroenterology experts recommended gastroenterologists move on from a "one-size-fits-all" approach to colorectal cancer screening, in a new preprint study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Dr. Dror Paley performs 1st surgery with NuVasive limb lengthening device
Dror Paley, MD, is reportedly the first spine surgeon to use NuVasive's Precice Plating system designed for complex limb reconstruction procedures, according to a Sept. 11 report from South Florida Hospital News.
PE-backed Orthopedic Care Partners completes 7th practice affiliation
Orthopedic Care Partners, backed by private equity firm Varsity Healthcare Partners, affiliated with OrthoAspen (Colo.) on Sept. 10.
The Steadman Clinic formalizes deal involving 14-surgeon team, planned ASC — 6 details
Vail, Colo.-based The Steadman Clinic and Aspen (Colo.) Valley Hospital formalized a partnership months in the making.
Former Beaumont trustee wants 3 top execs fired, merger delayed
Mark Shaevsky, a former Beaumont Health board vice chair and trustee, sent a letter to Michigan's attorney general that calls for firing the Southfield, Mich.-based health system's CEO, COO and CMO, according to Crain's Detroit Business.
COVID-19 patients may not recover sense of taste, smell after other symptoms end
The CDC added a new loss of taste or smell to its list of COVID-19 symptoms at the end of April, and now early data from recovered patients is showing that many may not recover those senses after other symptoms of the disease disappear, according to The Wall Street Journal.