Outpatient surgeries at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are more cost-efficient than those at hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). That’s according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Managed Care. Outpatient surgery remains a sizable and expanding sector in the U.S. Between 2017 and 2021, per-capita spending on outpatient facilities for commercially insured individuals rose by 19%, according to the Health Care Cost Institute. This trend is likely to persist, … [Read more...]
ASC Pipeline: Mass General Brigham Plans $7.5M ASC; Dignity Health Breaks Ground on Advanced ASC
Mass General Brigham plans $7.5M ASC with Regent Surgical Mass General Brigham (MGB) has signaled plans to develop a standalone ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in collaboration with Regent Surgical Health. The project is estimated to cost around $7.5 million, based on a Determination of Need filing submitted to the state’s Department of Public Health (DPH). In February, MGB announced plans to partner with Regent to expand ASC capabilities throughout New England. … [Read more...]
Shifting Joint Replacements to ASCs Boosts Outcomes, Cuts Costs at Hospitals
Ambulatory surgery centers can improve hospital efficiency and outcomes in total joint arthroplasty (TJA), even as hospital-patient acuity rises, a new study has found. The study – published in JAAOS Global Research & Reviews – analyzed 7,775 total hip and knee arthroplasties performed at a single hospital from 2018 to 2023. Researchers compared hospital-based TJA cases before and after the launch of a joint-venture ASC affiliated with the hospital, to assess how shifting healthier … [Read more...]
The States, Cities with the Most High-Performing Ambulatory Surgery Centers
There are thousands of high-performing ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) operating across the United States. But some cities and states have far more high-performing ASCs than others, a new industry ranking from U.S. News & World Report suggests. U.S. News & World Report released its Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers ratings for 2025 on Tuesday. To compile its list of top ASCs, the organization evaluated 4,357 surgery centers in four specialty areas: colonoscopy and endoscopy, … [Read more...]
Tenet Healthcare Reports Strong ASC Growth, Plans Continued Expansion in 2025
Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC) closed out 2024 strong, partly propelled by growth in its large ambulatory surgery center (ASC) division, United Surgical Partners International (USPI). Moving forward, the company is focused on ASC expansion and high-acuity case growth, CEO Saum Sutaria said during the company’s Q4 earnings call. "We intend to invest approximately $250 million each year towards M&A in the ambulatory space,” Sutaria said. “And the pipeline of opportunities … [Read more...]
ASC Pipeline: OrthoCarolina to Sell PT Business; Choice Care Surgery Center Enters Partnership with USPI
OrthoCarolina selling PT business OrthoCarolina plans to sell its physical therapy business to a private equity-backed firm. Charlotte-based OrthoCarolina, one of the nation’s largest independently owned orthopedic practices, is finalizing a deal to sell its physical therapy division to PT Solutions Physical Therapy, an Atlanta-based provider supported by PE. The agreement is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. CEO and orthopedic surgeon Leo Spector said the move would allow … [Read more...]
Legislation Blocking Medicare Cuts to Physician Reimbursement Back on the Table
Legislation to block cuts to Medicare payments for physicians is back on the table. On Jan. 31, U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy, who has a background as a medical doctor, reintroduced the bipartisan “Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act.” A 2024 version of the bill was previously introduced in October. "Physicians in America are facing unprecedented financial viability challenges due to continued Medicare cuts,” Murphy, a Republican from North Carolina, said in a statement. “Access … [Read more...]
ASCQC Rolls Out New Tool to Help Surgery Centers with Quality Control, Payer Talks
The ASC Quality Collaboration (ASCQC) has released its ASC Safety & Quality Assessment tool. ASCQC is an organization focused on advancing patient safety and quality of care in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). It officially announced the release of the new tool on Feb. 3. The ASC Safety & Quality Assessment is a free online survey that surgery centers can use to “benchmark themselves against key attributes that help define a safe, high-quality site of ambulatory surgical care,” … [Read more...]
Ambulatory Surgery Centers Surge in Medicare Market, MedPAC Calls for Cost-Reporting Requirements
The number of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) operating in the fee-for-service Medicare landscape is rising. So, too, is the share of traditional Medicare beneficiaries served by ASCs. That’s according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), which presented on the ASC market as part of its regular health care status report on Jan. 16. The objective of these regular MedPAC presentations is to educate commissioners on the various corners of health care, giving MedPAC the … [Read more...]
Ardent Health CEO: ASC Growth Strategy Likely to Be A ‘Longer Build,’ Focused on De Novos
Ardent Health (NYSE: ARDT) is pushing to meet patients where they are, whether in a hospital, an outpatient clinic, or through digital solutions, CEO Marty Bonick said Jan. 14 during the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference. That also is likely to increasingly include ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in the future. “We operate in eight growing, mid-sized urban markets, … with a very consumer-centric focus in terms of how we’re growing and expanding,” Bonick said. Ardent currently … [Read more...]