News

Getting surgical technology and equipment ready – and in the hands of surgeons at the right time – is essential to running an efficient operating room. But there’s a big problem: There’s a dire shortage of trained professionals who know how to perform such tasks in concert with surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses. A new initiative out of Oregon wants to help mitigate that challenge. Umpqua Community College (UCC) and the Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB) announced … [Read more...]

SCA Health, the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) arm of Optum, acquired OrthoAlliance, an orthopedic management services organization. The acquisition, effective as of November 1, expands SCA Health’s network in orthopedic and sports medicine services. Optum is the health services business of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UHG). “Since its founding in 2019, OrthoAlliance has focused on providing instant access to high-quality, value-based care throughout Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky,” SCA told ASC … [Read more...]

Baxter has provided its final update for 2024 on the recovery of its North Cove, North Carolina, manufacturing facility following the unprecedented flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.  Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operators nationwide have been closely monitoring these updates due to the critical role North Cove plays in the supply of IV solutions and other essential products. While reports of ASCs needing to pull back on procedures due to the situation are no longer widespread, one … [Read more...]

New medical office building construction begins near Gleneagle Construction has started on a new two-story medical office building in Colorado Springs, Colorado, aimed at expanding cardiology and vascular care access. The 35,000-square-foot facility will feature an ambulatory surgery center, a standalone cardiac catheterization lab, imaging services and diagnostic facilities. “This has been part of the plan for Colorado Springs Cardiology, in the name of expanding access for patients for … [Read more...]

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...]