From seismic policy shifts to blockbuster deals and the accelerating migration of higher-acuity care into the outpatient setting, 2025 was a defining year for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry. ASC News readers gravitated toward stories that captured an industry in transition – one balancing rapid growth and innovation with mounting regulatory action, reimbursement pressures, and questions about scale, ownership and independence. Clinical evolution was another important theme. … [Read more...]
ASC Final Rule, Outpatient Surgery Shift Continues to Spark Concerns Over Medicare Access to Post-Acute Care
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized plans to phase out the Medicare Inpatient-Only (IPO) List in November while also covering more procedures in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) setting. But some voices in the post-acute care space continue to express concern with the changes. As CMS accelerates the shift of more procedures into outpatient settings, skilled nursing leaders are warning that downstream Medicare policy has not kept pace, renewing calls to … [Read more...]
Executive Outlook: Why 2026 Could Redefine the ASC Business Model
The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry is entering 2026 with plenty of momentum, fueled by a shifting regulatory landscape plus rising demand from patients and payers alike. But there are sizable hurdles ASC operators will need to clear as they move forward. To help set the scene, Ambulatory Surgery Center News connected with 12 ASC leaders and market experts, asking them about the trends, challenges and opportunities likely to define 2026 most. Those who participated in this … [Read more...]
DISC Study Highlights Major Shift in Spine Care as High-Acuity Fusions Move Out of Hospitals and into ASCs
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...]