June 2025 Issue of Becker’s ASC Review
ON THE COVER
What’s shaping ASC mergers and acquisitions in 2025?
As hospital and health systems become increasingly interested in partnerships and acquisitions with ASCs, several trends have emerged as guiding forces within these deals.
The cost-saving measures ASCs can skip
As costs continue to rise for health systems nationwide due to a combination of inflation and ongoing tariff battles, ASCs are trying to find ways to save money.
How CON reform will rattle ASC ownership structures
North Carolina plans to eliminate certificate-of-need laws across the state by the end of 2025, presenting several new opportunities for ASCs
What people get wrong about ASCs
Despite ASCs growing role in the healthcare landscape, many leaders feel the ASC industry remains widely misunderstood, even among healthcare professionals.
ASCs now drive 50% of Tenet profits
As care has shifted rapidly to the outpatient setting over the last 10 years, major healthcare systems are starting to take notice.
Physician-owned private practices decline 20% in 10 years
The number of physician-owned private practices in the U.S. has declined by nearly 20% since 2012, according to the American Medical Association’s Physician Practice Benchmark Survey.
Hospitals can’t afford to ignore ASCs anymore: 5 trends to know
Hospital ownership of ASCs has become the standard, and “delaying action is neither a viable option nor a strategic choice,” according to Avanza’s Intelligence Hospital Leadership ASC Survey.
Spine practices in 2035: 7 predictions
Amid surgical advances and increased challenges in spine practices, surgeons discuss the future of the landscape.
2025 GI compensation: 8 notes
U.S. gastroenterologists saw a 3% decline in compensation from 2023 to 2024, with their annual salaries dropping from $512,000 to $495,000, according to Medscape’s “Gastroenterologist Compensation Report 2025,” published May 16.
Health systems take innovation beyond the buzzword
Health system executives have been talking about innovation for years – until it almost became a meaningless word. Some systems set up innovation departments and appointed leaders while others designed a cultural doctrine for innovation to permeate throughout the organization.
ASC MANAGEMENT
The cost-saving measures ASCs can skip
As costs continue to rise for health systems nationwide due to a combination of inflation and ongoing tariff battles, ASCs are trying to find ways to save money.
Surgeon salaries thrive in outpatient settings: Report
Surgeon salaries in private practice and outpatient settings surpass those in hospital settings, according to a report published May 13 in the Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons.
How CON reform will rattle ASC ownership structures
North Carolina plans to eliminate certificate-of-need laws across the state by the end of 2025, presenting several new opportunities for ASCs
ASCs now drive 50% of Tenet profits
As care has shifted rapidly to the outpatient setting over the last 10 years, major healthcare systems are starting to take notice.
This state is rapidly losing independent physicians
Rural areas of Tennessee lost hundreds of independent physicians between 2019 and 2024, according to a recent report by the Physicians Advocacy Institute.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Why ASC leaders are losing sleep over staffing
Burnout and staff turnover are becoming quiet but costly threats to ASCs.
Where ASCs are headed—and who’s taking the wheel
As the healthcare landscape shifts, ASCs are at the center of change.
What people get wrong about ASCs
Despite ASCs growing role in the healthcare landscape, many leaders feel the ASC industry remains widely misunderstood, even among healthcare professionals.
Inside this ASC’s strategy for ‘recession-proof’ OR scheduling
From declining reimbursements to rising costs, many ASCs are facing persistent economic pressures, requiring many centers to rework efficiency strategies.
The ASC industry’s ‘watershed moment’
Amid rapid technological development, economic and political shifts, one ASC leader joined Becker’s to share what he believes could be a watershed moment for the ASC industry.
ORTHOPEDICS
Why this spine surgical technique can be used for ‘almost anything’
Saqib Hasan, MD, is a leader in endoscopic spine surgery in California, and he continues making strides in his practice.
Spine practices in 2035: 7 predictions
Amid surgical advances and increased challenges in spine practices, surgeons discuss the future of the landscape.
New 360-degree arthroplasty a ‘shift in the culture of spine’
Jared Ament, MD, and Amir Vokshoor, MD, of Santa Monica-based Neurosurgery & Spine Group performed the world’s first clinical case combining Premia Spine’s Tops and Centinel Spine Prodisc-L implants.
Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center’s major merger: 6 things to know
Jackson-based Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center said it plans to add Oxford (Miss.) Ortho & Sports Medicine and the Orthopaedic Institute of North Mississippi in Tupelo under its brand on Aug. 4.
Orthopaedic Solutions Management’s ‘luxuries’ in practice assessments
Ravi Chari, MD, stepped into the role of Orthopaedic Solutions Management’s CEO last year and over the past seven months he’s bolstered its practices’ supply chain, infrastructure and benchmarking.
GASTROENTROLOGY
Colonoscopy screening age should remain at 45: Study
A single-center study published in JAMA supported recent recommendations that the age of colorectal cancer screening age be lowered to 45, Medpage Today reported June 3.
GI Alliance, MedCore open Arkansas ASC
Management organization GI Alliance has partnered with real estate company MedCore to open a new ASC in Bentonville, Ark.
Why this GI CEO says ASC independence is getting harder to sustain
Michael Warne, CEO of Associated Gastroenterologists of Central New York in Camillus, joined Becker’s to share his perspective on the growing financial pressures facing independent ASCs — and why some may turn to hospitals for support despite concerns over operational impact.
Payer disruptions changing the GI landscape
As payer expectations evolve and reimbursement pressures mount, gastroenterology leaders are rethinking how they engage with insurers.
2025 GI compensation: 8 notes
U.S. gastroenterologists saw a 3% decline in compensation from 2023 to 2024, with their annual salaries dropping from $512,000 to $495,000, according to Medscape’s “Gastroenterologist Compensation Report 2025,” published May 16.
TRANSACTIONS
Not just ‘widgets:’ How ASCs can find their voice in joint ventures
ASC-hospital joint ventures have become a mainstay as the ASC market matures and hospitals increasingly look to expand their outpatient surgical capacity.
What’s shaping ASC mergers and acquisitions in 2025?
As hospital and health systems become increasingly interested in partnerships and acquisitions with ASCs, several trends have emerged as guiding forces within these deals.
Private equity group expands into Georgia with 9-center acquisition
Private equity-backed Capitol Imaging expanded into Georgia with the acquisition of nine outpatient imaging centers.
What’s driving ASC-hospital relationships?
Hospital ownership of ASCs has evolved from a trend to an established facet of the industry in recent years.
Hospitals can’t afford to ignore ASCs anymore: 5 trends to know
Hospital ownership of ASCs has become the standard, and “delaying action is neither a viable option nor a strategic choice,” according to Avanza’s Intelligence Hospital Leadership ASC Survey.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
An old healthcare C-suite buzzword is back
Health system executives used one word over and over again to describe their experience through the COVID-19 pandemic. It became a tired mantra quickly and some retired it from their vocabulary. But now it’s back, for good reason.
Health system CIOs step into a new era
As generative AI transforms industries, it’s also reshaping the role of health system CIOs — shifting them from traditional infrastructure leads to forward-looking business partners and AI strategists.
Health systems take innovation beyond the buzzword
Health system executives have been talking about innovation for years – until it almost became a meaningless word. Some systems set up innovation departments and appointed leaders while others designed a cultural doctrine for innovation to permeate throughout the organization.
