ASCs, hospitals and health systems continue to be challenged with staff shortages as the availability of high-quality clinical and administrative workers fluctuates through labor market shifts and new waves of COVID-19 variants.

Thirty-one percent of physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians are paying off their student loans, according to Medscape's "Physician Wealth & Debt Report 2022."

Dallas-based United Surgical International Partners is strengthening its position as the leading ASC operator in the U.S., with its latest partnership adding 22 ASCs and more than 140 physicians to its network.

The Surgery Center of Pottsville (Pa.) is closing on June 28 after 17 years in operation.

The following are excerpts from Becker’s 19th Annual Spine and Orthopaedic Conference held June 16-22, 2022 in Chicago. Jim Freund, Managing Partner of ASCs Inc. was on panels addressing Is it the Right Time to Sell? What Happens Next? And ASC Management and Transactions: Big Trends for 2023 and Jason Winokur and Stephanie Tarry of ASCs Inc. discussed how to Maximize the Value of Your ASC/MOB Real Estate.

Prior authorization is a big part of private practice physicians' jobs, but it's among the least popular parts of healthcare for providers of all kinds. The good news: There are signs that reform is gaining momentum.

ASC surgery volume is projected to grow 25 percent in the next decade, according to an analysis from Sg2 Healthcare Intelligence, a Vizient company focused on market analytics and insights. 

Atlanta-based Northside Hospital health system is building a new outpatient facility with an ASC in Snellville, Ga., What Now Atlanta reported June 17. 

Thirty percent of specialist physicians invested in a stock or company that turned out badly, according to Medscape's "Physician Wealth & Debt Report 2022."

Real estate developer NexCore Group plans to develop a $25 million medical office building at the Grand Millennium Center in Westfield, Ind., Construction Review Online reported June 20. 

The North Carolina Court of Appeals unanimously dismissed a surgeon's challenge to the state's certificate of need laws, The Carolina Journal reported June 21.

Infectious diseases is the specialty with the most physicians most likely to report net worth under $500,000, according to Medscape's "Physician Wealth & Debt Report 2021."

A Florida physician, pharmacist and Navy veteran lost the appeal of their conviction in a $4.4 million Tricare fraud scheme, according to a June 20 article in JDSupra from the law firm Burr & Forman. 

Lodi, Calif., orthopedic surgeon Gary Wisner, MD, was convicted of defrauding CMS and Medi-Cal over four years, the California Justice Department said June 17.

Plastic surgery is the specialty with the most physicians most likely to report net worth exceeding $5 million, according to Medscape's "Physician Wealth & Debt Report 2021."

The number of surgical procedures is forecasted to reach 105,814,000 procedures in 2022 and increase to 122,881,000 operations a year by 2027, led by the most significant growth in procedures performed in ASCs, according to a Research and Markets report.

The current physician payment system is potentially unsustainable in the long term, according to a June report from Medicare trustees to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Walgreens is edging further into the healthcare sector with the June 16 launch of its clinical trials business.

As small businesses have recently adopted new technology and expanded their networks to facilitate remote work, cyberattacks over the last two years have jumped 152 percent, The Wall Street Journal reported June 7.

Although some ASCs are struggling amid high operating costs and low reimbursements, there are many numbers showing the industry is getting stronger.