U.S. Heart & Vascular (USHV) has partnered with Birmingham Heart Clinic, a 15-physician group focused on providing a full spectrum of cardiovascular care. Formed in 2021 and based in Nashville, Tennessee, USHV specializes in cardiovascular care, with ASCs a key part of its overall strategy, allowing the organization to provide outpatient procedures in a convenient and cost-effective setting. "We are incredibly excited to welcome Birmingham Heart Clinic to the USHV family,” CEO Robbie … [Read more...]
The FTC Wants to Take a Closer Look at Blockbuster Transactions: What ASC Stakeholders Should Know
Blockbuster transactions in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry and health care sector could see more scrutiny moving forward. On Oct. 10, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted unanimously to issue new final rules that effectively make the pre-deal notification and regulatory review process more comprehensive. “The final rule implements changes that will improve the ability of the FTC and Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to detect illegal mergers and … [Read more...]
UnitedHealth Group Teases Growth Priorities, Mum on ASC Plans
In July, reports surfaced that one of the country’s largest ambulatory surgery center (ASC) chains – Surgery Partners (Nasdaq: SGRY) – was exploring strategic alternatives, including a possible sale. Health care behemoth UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) was identified as one potential buyer. UnitedHealth Group, the parent of Optum, is a major player in the ASC space, having acquired SCA Health in 2017. Strategically, adding to its ASC footprint makes sense for UnitedHeath Group, with company … [Read more...]
DermCare Management Partners with Contour Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Center
DermCare Management has partnered with Contour Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Center, adding the group to its already large footprint. Bringing Contour Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Center into its network gives DermCare Management four additional locations within the Southern California market. Overall, DermCare Management has a presence across Florida, Texas and Virginia, in addition to California, with 81 locations in total. Dr. Timothy Jochen and a team of 18 providers from … [Read more...]
Mount Sinai Health System Boosts Surgical Care Capabilities, Opens New ASC
One of the more innovative health systems in the U.S. is expanding its ambulatory surgery center (ASC) network. Mount Sinai Health System announced on Sept. 30 that it officially opened its Peakpoint Midtown West Surgery Center. The 25,106-square-foot ASC is a joint venture between Mount Sinai, area surgeons and Merritt Healthcare. “Peakpoint Midtown West underscores our commitment to expanding access to the latest surgical treatments and world-leading medical care for all patients,” Brent … [Read more...]
California Gov. Gavin Newsom Vetoes Legislation Targeting Private Equity in Health Care: What ASCs Should Know
A California law requiring private equity firms and hedge funds to get approval from the attorney general's office when buying health care assets appears to be dead in the water. The legislation is Assembly Bill 3129, sponsored by California Representative Jim Wood. Up until now, the bill has had plenty of momentum, making it out of the California State Assembly and succeeding in two committee votes in the California Senate. If finalized, AB 3129 would have forced PE-type buyers to disclose … [Read more...]
USPI-Affiliated South Dakota Surgical Hospital to Pay $12.7M to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Violations
Siouxland Surgery Center, doing business as Dunes Surgical Hospital, United Surgical Partners International (USPI) and USP Siouxland Inc. have agreed to pay about $12.76 million to resolve alleged False Claims Act violations. The allegations are related to improper financial relationships between Dunes and two physician groups, according to a Sept. 16 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announcement. Dunes is a surgical hospital located in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. Since July 1, 2014, USPI … [Read more...]
Site-of-Care Shifts Continue as Outpatient Procedures Migrate to ASCs
The U.S. health care system continues to become more decentralized. As part of that trend, health care services continue to trickle down from hospitals and health systems to freestanding entities, including ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). While the pace of such site-of-care shifts feels fast, it has actually been a gradual process. And ASCs have likely yet to feel the full force of the procedure volumes headed their way in the not-too-distant future, recent insights from the Advisory Board … [Read more...]
Beyond the Operating Room: How Bend Surgery Center Turned Culture into an Asset
Bend Surgery Center has steadily grown over the years, making a name for itself in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry. A big part of its success has been its organizational culture and commitment to excellence, according to administrator Todd Currier. Founded in the late 1990s, Bend Surgery Center has expanded from relatively modest beginnings to become a roughly 44,00-square-foot multi-specialty ASC with several operating rooms. Today, the surgery center has a patient volume of … [Read more...]
ASC Providers Slam CMS Inaction on Cardiology Codes, Confusing COVID Vaccine Reporting
In its 2025 proposed payment rule for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) floated a 2.6% increase to surgery center payments and adjustments to select quality-reporting measures. One thing CMS didn’t call for: key additions to the ASC Covered Procedures list for 2025. “It is disheartening that CMS established a new, supposedly more transparent process for submitting procedure codes that could be added to the ASC Covered Procedures … [Read more...]