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...]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized 2025 Medicare payment rates and quality reporting program updates for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). ASC payment rates will increase 2.9% in CY 2025 for centers meeting relevant quality reporting requirements, according to a final rule that CMS issued Friday. The rule received backlash from industry stakeholders.  “This final rule is a step sideways in a time when millions of Medicare beneficiaries need CMS to advance … [Read more...]

OrthoCarolina has acquired Matthews Surgery Center from health care network Novant Health. Financial terms of the deal – made official on Oct. 1 – were not disclosed. OrthoCarolina will now own, operate and manage the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) moving forward. “We deeply value our longstanding relationship with Novant Health, whose collaboration has helped ensure access to high-quality, affordable care for our patients," OrthoCarolina Chief Administrative Officer Bob Raspa said in a … [Read more...]

The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) joint venture landscape continues to heat up. Earlier this month, ​​CHRISTUS Health and Kerrville Surgery Center announced they had finalized a joint venture to provide specialized surgical care to the Texas Hill Country as CHRISTUS Surgery Center. “Since opening its doors, 16 years ago, Kerrville Surgery Center has delivered high-quality care in a friendly, patient-focused setting,” Gary Ruff, vice president of ambulatory surgery centers for CHRISTUS … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

The vast majority of ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operators participate in the Ambulatory Surgery Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program, a new industry survey suggests. The ASCQR Program requires ASCs to report specific quality measures to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) looked at participation in a recent survey, publishing results on Aug. 30. The survey collected 321 responses from surgery centers across … [Read more...]

TPG Inc. (Nasdaq: TPG) and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) have emerged as potential suitors for ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operating company Surgery Partners (Nasdaq: SGRY). UnitedHealth Group is the parent company of both UnitedHealthcare and Optum, its health care services arm. The health care giant is no stranger to the ASC space, with Optum taking over SCA Health for $2.3 billion in 2017. Meanwhile, TPG is a global alternative asset manager with $229 billion in assets under … [Read more...]

Montecito Medical has purchased an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) property in Indiana. Announced on Aug. 13, the transaction adds to the recent M&A activity surrounding ASC operators and facilities. Financial terms of Montecito Medical’s acquisition were not disclosed. “We are excited to add this high-quality ASC asset to our portfolio as we expand our footprint in the Greater Chicago MSA,” Rus Gudnyy, senior vice president of investments at Montecito Medical, said in a company … [Read more...]