July/August Issue of Becker’s ASC Review
ON THE COVER
KKR acquiring Envision Healthcare for $9.9B — 7 insights
KKR will acquire Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare for about $9.9 billion, or $46 per share. Click here to continue.
2 orthopedic groups with ASCs partner with insurers on bundled payments in the same week: 5 things to know
Over the past seven days, two major orthopedic groups with ASCs on opposite coasts signed partnerships with insurance companies to expand bundled payments. Click here to continue.
ASC chains own 28% of the market: 5 key trends to know ASC Turnarounds
The top ASC multi-state operators own around 28 percent of Medicare-certified ASCs in the U.S., showing how fragmented the market remains today, according to VMG Health Intellimarker. Click here to continue.
ASC TURNAROUNDS
Eye Care Surgery Center alerts 2,553 patients about stolen laptop — 6 insights
Baton Rouge, La.-based Eye Care Surgery Center discovered a laptop potentially storing patient information was stolen, the organization announced. Click here to continue.
Florida ASC administrator accused of stealing equipment to sell on eBay:5 things to know
A former administrator of Melbourne (Fla.) Same Day Surgery is accused of stealing medical equipment and selling it on eBay, according to Spectrum News 13. Click here to continue.
2 men who scammed Tennessee ASC get prison time, ordered to pay $1.38M: 5 things to know
The two individuals who scammed Johnson City, Tenn.-based Mountain Empire Surgery Center for six years were sentenced to prison and ordered to pay $1.38 million in restitution to the surgery center, according to the Times News. Click here to continue.
Skyway Surgery Center launched its 1st bundled payment agreement in early 2018 — Why it won’t be their last
Raymond Hino, administrator of Chico, Calif.-based Skyway Surgery Center, discusses the best opportunities for ASCs right now. Click here to continue.
A Colorado-based ASC hired a financial counselor to improve the patient experience — Did it work?
Administrator of Boulder, Colo.-based Foothills Surgery Center Lori Tamburo, CASC, discussed the key elements to improve the patient experience and bottom line at her ASC. Click here to continue.
The evolving role of an ASC administrator
Heather Hilgendorf-Cooley, administrator of Davenport, Iowa-based Spring Park Surgery Center, explains how CMS adding procedures to the ASC payable list and gathering more data from surgery centers will affect operations in the future. Click here to continue.
How the payer & patient expereince landscape is changing for ASCs
Beverly Hills, Calif.-based 90210 Surgery Medical Center Administrator Benita Tapia discusses how the payer landscape is changing and how her center improves the patient experience. Click here to continue.
How a Virginia-based ASC combats consolidation and changing referral patterns
Andy Poole, CEO of Monticello Community Surgery Center in Charlottesville, Va., discusses how his center is beginning to engage in value-based care. Click here to continue.
How an Oregon-based ASC combats decreasing case volume
Administrator of Portland, Ore.-based Northwest Ambulatory Surgery Center Kecia Norling, RN, has years of experience in the ASC field. Click here to continue.
Physicians Endoscopy names new president: 4 insights
Physicians Endoscopy named David Young as its new president. Mr. Young brings 20 years of experience across a variety of industry sectors to the role. Click here to continue.
6 statistics on ASC acquisition activity, competition
Forty percent of ASC companies saw acquisition activity in the space increase in 2017, according to HealthCare Appraisers’ 2018 ASC Valuation Survey. Click here to continue.
CMS freezes $10.4B in risk adjustment payments
CMS will not make $10.4 billion in payments that were due to insurers under the ACA. Click here to continue.
Target these 10 HR inefficiencies to reap 6-figure savings
Although human resources is one of the largest line items for ASCs, it’s often a missed opportunity for savings, according to MedHQ’s 10-Point HR Audit. Click here to continue.
Surgery Center of Quincy locked down after bomb threat — 4 insights
Quincy, Ill.-based Blessing Hospital locked down its entire complex, including the Surgery Center of Quincy, after an unidentified party made a bomb threat, the Herald-Whig reports. Click here to continue.
Medline secures $75M distribution agreement including 22 ambulatory centers — 4 details
Medline signed a medical-surgical distribution agreement with Sharp HealthCare that includes nearly two dozen ambulatory medical centers in San Diego County. Click here to continue.
JOINT VENTURES
OptumCare aims to serve 75 markets across the US: 5 key points on the future
OptumCare, including Surgical Care Affiliates, plans to grow toward more consumer-centric care and risk-based contracting in the future, said OptumHealth’s CEO Andrew Hayek during the first quarter conference call on April 17. Click here to continue.
Surgery Partners increased revenues 45.8% in Q1 — 8 insights
Surgery Partners reported its first quarter 2018 financial results, reporting $417.4 million in revenues. Click here to continue.
KKR acquiring Envision Healthcare for $9.9B — 6 insights
KKR will acquire Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare for about $9.9 billion, or $46 per share. Click here to continue.
AmSurg enters into 1st strategic partnership with eye care practice — 6 insights
Nashville, Tenn.-based AmSurg entered into a strategic partnership with Phoenix-based Horizon Eye Specialists & LASIK Center. Click here to continue.
PE group partners with ophthalmology practices to form Vision Integrated Partners — 4 insights
The Firmament Group entered into a partnership with several ophthalmology practices in California and Florida to form Vision Integrated Partners, an ophthalmology-focused management services organization. Click here to continue.
‘This is simply wrong’ — HHS’ Alex Azar criticizes high prices in hospitals compared to physician offices
HHS Secretary Alex Azar discussed President Donald Trump’s vision of healthcare in a prepared statement for the Federation of American Hospitals, mentioning the president’s interest in limiting regulation, promoting transparency and shifting care to the most appropriate setting. Click here to continue.
The brilliance of Chris Holden and AmSurg — 6 quick thoughts
Here are six thoughts on the evolution of Amsurg and its leader, Chris Holden. Click here to continue.
ASC chains own 28% of the market: 5 key trends to know
The top ASC multi-state operators own around 28 percent of Medicare-certified ASCs in the U.S., showing how fragmented the market remains today, according to VMG Health Intellimarker. Click here to continue.
16 ASCs embracing price transparency
Here are 16 surgery centers with prices posted online for their procedures. Click here to continue.
3 ASCs, Cigna settle alleged ERISA violation suit
Cigna settled a lawsuit accusing three centers of violating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, according to Law 360. Click here to continue.
CODING AND BILLING
Spine surgeon collectes $847k from Medicare after surrendering license — And he’s not alone: 5 things to know
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently revealed that now-deceased spine surgeon Cyril Raben, MD, continued practicing medicine after surrendering his license and collected thousands from Medicare before his death. Click here to continue.
5 ASCs report 50% patient volume boost 1 year after posting prices online: 7 findings
ASCs saw increased business, revenue and patient satisfaction one year after posting prices for surgical procedures online, according to a study published in The American Surgeon. Click here to continue.
GI/ENDOSCOPY
Staying in Step with Contractual and Coding Changes
Change is never-ending for ambulatory surgery centers (ACSs). ASCs need to always stay on top of the seemingly nonstop influx of contractual and coding changes, which can have a direct impact on cash flow. Click here to continue.
Gastro Health to acquire South Florida Gastroenterology Associates — Adds 15 providers, 7 offices
Miami-based Gastro Health will acquire Boynton Beach-based South Florida Gastroenterology Associates. Click here to continue.
FDA permits marketing of Hemospray to treat GI bleeding: 5 things to know
The FDA permitted marketing of Hemospray, a new endoscopic device for the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding. Click here to continue.
The three legged stool of EHRs — Dr. Michael Weinstein recounts why Capital Digestive Care selected gMed’s gGastro
In 2009, Silver Spring, Md.-based Capital Digestive Care formed when seven gastroenterology groups merged. Click here to continue.
3 experts share their thoughts on the right EHR for gastroenterologists
With multiple electronic health records system options in the marketplace, those seeking a new system have an interesting choice since each vendor and solution brings something unique to the table. Click here to continue.
ORTHOPEDICS
2 orthopedic groups with ASCs partner with insurers on bundled payments in the same week: 5 things to know
Over the past seven days, two major orthopedic groups with ASCs on opposite coasts signed partnerships with insurance companies to expand bundled payments. Click here to continue.
Total joints in ASCs — key challenges, opportunities from Dr. Michael Chmell
Michael Chmell, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with OrthoIllinois, discusses outpatient total joint replacements in ASCs and where he sees the biggest opportunities in the future. Click here to continue.
Dr. James Andrews ranks as No. 7 richest physician in the world
Physicians from all specialties build reputations for themselves and often as reputations climb net worth and compensation also increases. Click here to continue.
10 key trends in the orthopedic & spine device industries
It’s never a shock to hear healthcare is changing. All aspects of the industry continue to advance, grow and develop. Click here to continue.
Stryker makes new acquisition to help hospitals, health systems save costs: 3 details
Stryker acquired Hygia Health Services, a developer of single-use devices, to help hospitals reduce costs. Click here to continue.
QUALITY/ACCREDIATION
Porter Adventist spine surgeon halts surgery mid-procedure due to contaminated tools: 5 insights
The same day the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released its disease control investigation at Denver-based Porter Adventist Hospital, a spine surgeon stopped surgery mid-procedure due to allegedly dirty equipment, according to 9 News. Click here to continue.
4 things to know for ASCs seeking deemed status through The Joint Commission
The Joint Commission is deemed by CMS as an approved accreditor for ASCs seeking Medicare certification. Click here to continue.
Jury awards $4.5M over misplaced pedicle screw during spine surgery: 5 things to know
On April 6, a Union County, N.J., jury awarded a plaintiff $4.5 million over a botched spine surgery. Click here to continue.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Vanderbilt University Medical Center points to Epic rollout for 60% drop in operating income
Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center saw revenues increase in the first nine months of fiscal year 2018, but the hospital ended the period with lower operating income. Click here to continue.
Nurse accused of stealing more than $550k from New York hospital
A nurse in New York City faces felony charges for allegedly stealing more than $550,000 from Interfaith. Click here to continue.
