A new retrospective study from DISC Surgery Centers adds to the growing evidence that even the most complex spine procedures can be safely shifted into the ambulatory setting – while delivering meaningful cost savings for payers and better experiences for patients at the same time. The 203-patient analysis, led by orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Steven Girdler, examined anterior-posterior lumbar interbody fusions (ALIF + PSF), commonly known as 360° fusions, performed at a single outpatient … [Read more...]
Anthem Policy Change Sparks Continued Opposition from ASC Stakeholders, Medical Groups
One of the largest health insurers in the nation is pushing a new out-of-network policy that could prove seriously challenging for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Anthem will penalize hospitals, surgery centers and other facilities whenever those facilities use out-of-network providers for patients covered under Anthem commercial plans. In other words, the insurer is putting financial pressure on facilities to use only in-network resources, except in certain … [Read more...]
ASC Delay Marks Yet Another Misfire in CMS’ Prior-Auth Track Record
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is delaying the implementation of its five-year prior-authorization demonstration for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Originally, the prior-auth demo was set to go live in December 2025 across all participating states: California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia and New York. Now, the demo will be rolled out in two phases. ASCs in California, Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, … [Read more...]
[Updated] Citing Need to Stop Services from ‘Unnecessarily Being Performed in Hospitals,’ CMS Finalizes Expansion of ASC-Covered Procedures
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Nov. 21 moved forward with its plans to substantially expand the list of procedures outpatient surgery centers are allowed to perform. The agency also solidified its proposal to phase out Medicare’s inpatient-only list. Broadly, ambulatory surgery center (ASC) leaders have supported CMS’ July 2025 proposal to shift more surgical procedures away from the traditional hospital setting. While such a shift has been happening over the … [Read more...]
Ophthalmology ASC Player Unifeye Vision Partners Names New CEO
Unifeye Vision Partners (UVP), a growing ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operator in the ophthalmology sector, is shaking up its leadership as it navigates a consolidation wave in the outpatient surgery space. The company on Sept. 29 announced that Mark Garvin will take over as CEO, succeeding Martin Rash, who will shift into the role of executive chairman. Garvin brings more than 30 years of health care experience into the role, including senior positions at Banner Health and a nearly … [Read more...]
Inpatient-Only List Overhaul Could Put Pressure on ASC, Post-Acute Care Coordination
A proposal from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to phase out Medicare’s Inpatient-Only List (IPO) while adding more procedures for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) is stirring debate over how patients move through the continuum of care. As surgical capabilities advance, more complex procedures can safely take place outside of hospitals, including in ASCs. In turn, CMS in its 2026 proposed payment rule for ASCs has suggested phasing out the IPO list over three years, … [Read more...]
Compass Surgical Partners, Bon Secours Mercy Health Expand ASC Network
Bon Secours Mercy Health and Compass Surgical Partners have opened a new ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in Newport News, Virginia, a project notable for clearing one of the toughest regulatory hurdles in the country. The JV partners had to secure Virginia’s Certificate of Need (CON) approval, a requirement that enables the facility to serve Medicare patients. Historically, Virginia has been one of the rougher CON markets, limiting ASC development in the state. The Coastal Virginia Surgery … [Read more...]
GAO: Physician Consolidation Raises Costs, Creates Ripple Effects for ASCs
Physician practices are being swept up in a wave of consolidation that could reshape how patients access care – and how providers like ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) fit into the picture. A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) warns that deals involving hospitals, insurers and private equity are steadily reducing the share of independent physician practices, pushing more services into higher-cost settings and giving large organizations more negotiating power. The … [Read more...]
From Dental and Behavioral Health to ASCs: How Chris Fromme’s Diverse Background Is Shaping Compass Surgical Partners’ Next Chapter
The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry is entering a new era – one that’s marked by higher-acuity care, increasingly complex joint ventures and an urgent need for infrastructure that can support rapid growth. Compass Surgical Partners is betting that a multi-sector operator with experience in both scaling and transformation is the right person to help lead that charge. The ASC management and development company recently named Chris Fromme as its new chief operating officer. Fromme … [Read more...]
‘Patients Over Profits Act’ Would Shake Up ASC Industry by Targeting Payer-Povider Ownership Structures
Lawmakers in Washington are taking aim at the growing clout of large insurers that also own health care providers – a dynamic that could reverberate across the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) – joined by a slate of Democratic lawmakers including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), and Reps. Pat Ryan (N.Y.), Pramila Jayapal (Wash.) and Val Hoyle (D-Ore.) – revealed the Patients Over Profits Act earlier this month. The legislation would make it “unlawful for … [Read more...]