The Medicare Beneficiary Copay Fairness Act is gaining momentum. Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) has joined as one of the newest cosponsors of the Act. The bipartisan bill was introduced on April 24 and addresses a Medicare payment rule for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), where Medicare Part B beneficiaries pay a standard 20% coinsurance for procedures at both ASCs and hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). However, only HOPD copays are limited by the inpatient deductible, which is … [Read more...]
‘Be Comfortable with Being Adaptable’: ASC Leaders React to 2026 Payment Rule
In what can be seen as a victory for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Nov. 21 finalized its proposal to phase out Medicare’s inpatient-only list and open the door for which procedures can be covered in the ASC. In addition to those moves, ASCs will see an average update of 2.6%, which includes a 3.3% inflation adjustment and a 0.7 percentage-point productivity adjustment. The ASC community has been advocating for years to … [Read more...]
Holista’s Expanded Partnership Highlights the Benefits of Bundled Payment Models for ASCs
Holista is expanding its partnership with Oakleaf Medical Network and Cedarcrest Surgery Center. The move will go a long way toward enhancing patients' access to affordable surgical care in Western Wisconsin, according to executives from the organizations. The expanded agreement strengthens the existing partnership between Oakleaf Medical Network’s physician expertise and Cedarcrest Surgery Center’s ambulatory surgical facility in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. This expansion includes more … [Read more...]
ASC Expansion Accelerates as Robotics, AI and Reimbursement Shifts Reshape Outpatient Care
ASC News previously reported on Colliers’ research regarding the expansion of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and the projected increase in outpatient services over the next decade. We recently had the chance to talk with Marianne Skorupski, director of the national office of research, and Shawn Janus, the national health care services director, to delve deeper into the report and examine its findings. The conversation below has been edited for length and clarity. ASC News: How do … [Read more...]
‘We’re Taking a Multifaceted Approach’: USAP, NSU Launch Nationwide Anesthesia Training Program to Address Clinician Shortage
The U.S. health care sector is facing a significant anesthesiologist shortage, with a projected deficit of nearly 8,450 by 2037, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. To help address this while further supporting the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) space, U.S. Anesthesia Partners Inc. (USAP) and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) are expanding their current partnership to introduce a new anesthesia training program. “We’re taking a multifaceted approach to scaling … [Read more...]
Rural ASCs Battle Persistent Pain Points, But Federal Investment Could Spur New Opportunities
Opening an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in a rural area means significant challenges, including a shortage of skilled health care staff, geographic isolation and a smaller patient base, all of which can make it difficult to achieve high surgical volumes and maintain profitability. Other obstacles include poor infrastructure, limited access to reliable transportation and supply chain issues that can increase operational costs. “There has not been much new development in rural health … [Read more...]
South Florida Orthopedic Surgeon Launches Innovative Recovery Program to Heal Patients Faster, Eliminate Opioid Use
A new phase of post-operative recovery is emerging for patients in South Florida. Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs, an orthopedic surgeon and founder of The Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, is setting a new standard in post-operative care with the launch of “The Secret Sauce” — a comprehensive, concierge-style recovery program for hip and knee replacement patients. The program is the result of an evolution in his practice, according to Biggs. “My focus has always been on hip and knee … [Read more...]
ASCs Focus on Culture, Staffing Flexibility Amid Unprecedented Health Care Leadership Turnover
Hospital and outpatient surgery center leadership has experienced unprecedented turnover in 2025, caused by economic pressures, technological demands and a shifting workforce culture. As CEO and similar departures rise, organizations are adopting new strategies to stabilize teams and maintain continuity. Through July 2025, hospital CEO exits rose nearly 15% year over year. This occurs even as the overall rate of CEO turnover across industries begins to slow, according to a report from … [Read more...]
Ambulatory Surgery Centers Turn to International Talent Amid Staffing Shortages Despite Increasing Visa Costs, Complex Regulations
As nursing and physician shortages continue, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are seeking to recruit talent from other countries to fill the gaps. However, new regulations and government red tape are making it harder to hire that talent. “If any employer thinks they could succeed or keep any system with 100% domestic workers, they are not in touch with reality,” Ann-Rose Johnson-Lewis, director of legal services at WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions, told ASC News. ASCs frequently use … [Read more...]
Tenet Healthcare Expands ASC Network with Continued Investment Strategy
Reimbursement rate uncertainty and a regulatory landscape in flux won’t stand in the way of ambulatory surgery center (ASC) growth for Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC). Tenet leaders continue to double down on the ASC market, with plans to prioritize capital investments to grow its subsidiary, United Surgical Partners International (USPI), through M&A over the next several months. Executives discussed those plans and more during the company’s 2025 third-quarter earnings call on … [Read more...]