September/October 2025 Issue of Becker’s ASC Review
ON THE COVER
The ASC boom is just beginning
From expanding procedure capabilities to evolving payment models, five ASC leaders spoke with Becker’s about the trends, innovations and clinical advancements they believe will shape the next era of outpatient surgery.
The domino effect hitting ASCs
Workforce shortages have become one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare industry, and many ASCs have felt the effects.
What’s on the horizon for ASCs? A conversation with ASCA’s CEO
On July 15, CMS released the 2026 proposed payment rule for ASCs, including updates to patent policies and the proposed addition of more than 200 procedures to the ASC Covered Procedures List in 2026.
Stark law, consolidation and the rise of the ‘defensive’ physician
Between regulatory oversight, payer demands and hospital-driven consolidation, physician autonomy in clinical decision-making hasteadily eroded.
5 concerning trends ASC leaders are flagging
While there has been plenty of encouraging news in recent weeks for ASCs related to reimbursement rates, prior authorization reform and certificate-of-need regulations, a number of issues still weigh heavy on the minds of ASC leaders and physicians.
Where independent practice stands across 5 specialties
While physicians are increasingly shifting towards hospital, health system or private equity-owned practices, the state of independent practice looks different from specialty to specialty.
The 20 highest-paying physician specialties in 2025
Neurosurgeons are the highest-paid physician specialty in 2025, earning an average of nearly $750,000 annually, according to Doximity’s “Physician Compensation Report 2025.”
The newest driver of the GI boom: 5 things to know
A dramatic rise in colorectal cancer among adults under 50 — especially those ages 45–49 — is driving a major shift across gastroenterology and ASCs. Screening guidelines dropped to age 45 in 2021, and early uptake is rising fast, even as providers grapple with reimbursement declines, capacity constraints and workforce pressure.
Walgreens goes private, splits into 5 companies in $10B deal
Walgreens Boots Alliance has officially transitioned to private ownership following its acquisition by New York City–based private equity firm Sycamore Partners.
Can Trump finally ‘kill the clipboard’ in healthcare?
The Trump administration has promised to fix interoperability and eliminate the need for clipboards in healthcare once and for all.
ASC MANAGEMENT
Where independent practice stands across 5 specialties
While physicians are increasingly shifting towards hospital, health system or private equity-owned practices, the state of independent practice looks different from specialty to specialty.
The hurdles, opportunities defining ASCs today
ASCs are balancing both promise and pressure as they expand their role in the healthcare landscape.
How ASCs can expand without sacrificing autonomy
Independent ASC owners looking to expand their practice face a difficult set of circumstances in 2025 as hospitals, health systems and corporate entities grow their influence over the market and the cost of operations continues to climb.
5 concerning trends ASC leaders are flagging
While there has been plenty of encouraging news in recent weeks for ASCs related to reimbursement rates, prior authorization reform and certificate-of-need regulations, a number of issues still weigh heavy on the minds of ASC leaders and physicians.
Stark law, consolidation and the rise of the ‘defensive’ physician
Between regulatory oversight, payer demands and hospital-driven consolidation, physician autonomy in clinical decision-making hasteadily eroded.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
What’s on the horizon for ASCs? A conversation with ASCA’s CEO
On July 15, CMS released the 2026 proposed payment rule for ASCs, including updates to patent policies and the proposed addition of more than 200 procedures to the ASC Covered Procedures List in 2026.
The ASC boom is just beginning
From expanding procedure capabilities to evolving payment models, five ASC leaders spoke with Becker’s about the trends, innovations and clinical advancements they believe will shape the next era of outpatient surgery.
The needle-moving breakthroughs shaping ASCs
ASCs are undergoing rapid transformation as technology, policy and clinical innovation converge to expand what procedures can safely and efficiently be performed in outpatient settings.
Smart investments vs. market hype in ASCs: 7 leaders weigh in
The ASC industry faces a constant stream of emerging technologies and strategies marketed as essential to growth — but not every innovation offers measurable value. It’s up to administrators to decide which investments truly strengthen operations, patient care and financial performance.
‘Disciplined growth’ key to smart ASC scaling
A strategic approach to adding staff and facility growth is crucial to thriving in the ASC setting, Michael Meneghini, MD, said.
ORTHOPEDICS
A ‘game changer’ in ASC spine care
Newport Beach, Calif.-based DISC Surgery Center is uniquely equipped to excel in outpatient spine care.
A ‘renaissance’ in spine surgery
Spine surgery is entering an exciting time in the medtech space from an explosion of implant designs to the possibility of better standardizing care, Tan Chen, MD, said.
What tomorrow’s orthopedic surgeons will value most
Retaining autonomy, gaining mentorship and personal development and continued technological innovation are three goals that future orthopedic surgeons look to achieve in their profession.
Physician-led orthopedic MSO launches
Evolve Orthopedic Partners, a physician-led management services organization, has formed.
Consolidation pressures reshape spine markets
As various factors in the healthcare landscape push many groups to consolidate, spine surgeons have to remain nimble.
GASTROENTROLOGY
How soaring GLP-1 use is reshaping GI: Physicians weigh in
The rapid rise in GLP-1 prescriptions is reshaping obesity and metabolic disease management, but gastrointestinal specialists say the drugs also raise long-term questions for the field.
GI private equity deals are fewer — but bigger
Private equity activity in gastroenterology is slowing in frequency, even as deal sizes and consolidation momentum grow. This shift is redefining the field — and what independent GI groups and ASCs need to anticipate.
The newest driver of the GI boom: 5 things to know
A dramatic rise in colorectal cancer among adults under 50 — especially those ages 45–49 — is driving a major shift across gastroenterology and ASCs. Screening guidelines dropped to age 45 in 2021, and early uptake is rising fast, even as providers grapple with reimbursement declines, capacity constraints and workforce pressure.
How consolidation is reshaping GI practices
As healthcare giants like Optum move to acquire gastroenterology groups, the landscape of GI care is rapidly evolving.
How to protect physician autonomy as GI consolidates
Benjamin Levy III, MD, a gastroenterologist at University of Chicago Medicine, joined Becker’s to discuss strategies to safeguard physician autonomy as gastroenterology practices undergo increasing consolidation.
TRANSACTIONS
Another Optum power play shakes up the ASC market
Optum is extending its influence in outpatient care with another high-profile acquisition. Its subsidiary, SCA Health, one of the nation’s largest ASC operators, acquired Exton, Pa.-based U.S. Digestive Health in early 2025.
Walgreens goes private, splits into 5 companies in $10B deal
Walgreens Boots Alliance has officially transitioned to private ownership following its acquisition by New York City–based private equity firm Sycamore Partners.
Trump’s competition order rollback could speed physician, ASC consolidation
President Donald Trump’s Aug. 13 decision to revoke Executive Order 14036, a Biden-era directive to scrutinize consolidation across industries, including healthcare, could have a ripple effect across physician practices, ASC and hospital systems.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Can Trump finally ‘kill the clipboard’ in healthcare?
The Trump administration has promised to fix interoperability and eliminate the need for clipboards in healthcare once and for all.
AMA split on RFK Jr.
The American Medical Association is weighing whether to work with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., or oppose policies that threaten public health, Politico reported Aug. 30.
Judy Faulkner rejects $30B offer for Epic
Health Data Atlas, a data-as-a-service company, has bid $30 billion to acquire Epic Systems, according to its founder and CEO, Michael Stratton.
Health systems are rethinking workforce compensation
Hospitals and health systems are shifting their view of compensation to consider it not as a standalone lever, but as one element of a comprehensive workforce strategy.
How does CEO tenure in healthcare compare to other industries?
The average tenure of healthcare CEOs is slightly shorter than the average across industries, according to a recent report from executive search firm Crist Kolder Associates.
