Last week, U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) released a bipartisan framework to advance site-neutral Medicare payment reform. With rising patient demand for lower-cost outpatient options, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are positioned to capitalize on this shift if reimbursement parity is achieved. The proposed framework could level the playing field between hospitals and independent care providers by standardizing Medicare payments across different care … [Read more...]
New Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Stabilize Physician Medicare Rates, Gains ASCA Backing
Federal legislation that seeks to protect the financial viability of physician practices by addressing long-standing Medicare reimbursement challenges has been introduced, and has the backing of ambulatory surgery center advocates. The proposed legislation comes as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 2.93% cut in physician Medicare reimbursement rates is set to take effect in January 2025. “This amounts to a finalized CY 2025 PFS conversion factor of $32.35, a … [Read more...]
Pipeline: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Breaks Ground on New Outpatient Surgery Center; Prisma Health Opens $32 Million Surgery Center in Greenville
Atrium begins construction Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist has started construction on a new outpatient surgery center in northwest Greensboro, North Carolina. Part of a broader expansion plan, the center aims to address rising regional demand for ambulatory surgical services. Scheduled to open in 2026, the facility will house multiple operating rooms and advanced procedural areas, targeting streamlined, efficient care for the community. “Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist continues to … [Read more...]
Higher Acuity, Better Payer Mix, Better Margins: Tenet Executives Forecast Strong Finish to 2024 for USPI
Health care facilities in some of the nation’s largest markets have had to power through multiple natural disasters over the last couple months, including tropical storms, hurricanes and wildfires. Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC) is no exception. But considering recent events, the company has been “fortunate” in its ability to plan and recover, executives said during a 2024 third-quarter earnings call Tuesday. Despite weather-related setbacks, the Dallas-based Tenet still had a … [Read more...]
HCA Healthcare Boosts Outpatient Profitability Amid Challenges from Hurricane Helene, Medicaid Volume Decline
HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE: HCA) continues to see steady volume growth and generally positive financials, despite experiencing minor setbacks in the company’s outpatient surgery division and the operational challenges brought on by Hurricane Helene. That’s according to HCA’s leadership team, which provided an update on the health care giant’s outlook during a 2024 third-quarter earnings call on Friday. Nashville, Tennessee-based HCA operates 188 hospitals and about 2,400 ambulatory surgery … [Read more...]
As ASCs Grapple with Anesthesiologist Shortage, Regulators Target CRNA Scope of Practice
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a letter in September clarifying the role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the state’s health care system. The letter came following surveys conducted at Stanislaus Surgical Hospital and Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, California, where CRNAs were found practicing independently without appropriate physician supervision. These surveys, conducted by state and federal surveyors, led to “Immediate Jeopardy” … [Read more...]
‘We Are Filling Our Stocks as Much as Possible’: Outpatient Surgeries Paused Amid IV Fluid Shortage
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across the U.S. are being forced to postpone elective and non-emergent procedures due to a nationwide shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids. Procedures like heart ablations, the removal of tumors that don’t require immediate treatment and colonoscopies are among those reported being put on pause for the time being. This shortage stems from the impact of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damage to Baxter International’s North Cove plant in North … [Read more...]
Optim Orthopedics, Southern Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Announce Merger
Optim Orthopedics and Southern Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (SOSM) have announced a strategic merger. Moving forward, the deal will unite their operations under the Optim Orthopedics name. SOSM is a Brunswick-based orthopedic surgery office that specializes in treatments for a range of musculoskeletal conditions. This merger reflects the ongoing trend of consolidation in the surgery world, including in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry, particularly in specialty fields … [Read more...]
The Fight for Independence: ASCs Weigh Entrepreneurial Control Against the Pressures of Consolidation
The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry is at a crossroads. As consolidation increases, many ASC operators are faced with the decision to either maintain their independence, or partner with larger health systems and corporate entities. The development of the industry dates back to the 1960s, when small practices and individual ASCs began to emerge to cater to specific outpatient surgical needs. During this time, many ASCs were started by physicians seeking more control over their … [Read more...]
ASCA Urges Action on IV Fluid Shortages Amid Hurricane Fallout Across Southeast
Hurricane Helene flooded a factory that produced 60% of the intravenous (IV) solutions used in the United States, causing a dramatic shortage. The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) is now calling on the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to declare a shortage of sterile IV solutions to allow waivers to permit certain flexibilities not otherwise available to health care providers. Baxter International, the company that operates the Marion, North Carolina-based … [Read more...]