ASC News

Michael Villarroel, MD, a U.S. Navy physician, pleaded guilty to a scheme where he defrauded the Navy by faking or exaggerating injuries to get reimbursements intended to help service members recovering from traumatic injuries, the U.S. Justice Department said March…

Sage Transparency, a healthcare transparency database from the Employee's Forum of Indiana, has determined the average facility price of ASCs in 46 states based on the Medicare reimbursement rate for services. 

Thomas Clayton, MD, chief of staff of Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Murphy, N.C., was arrested and charged with 16 felonies, Blue Ridge Public Radio reported March 28. 

It is clear there are pros and cons to practice ownership, with some industry leaders saying it is the key to success while others say consolidation is inevitable. 

Margate, N.J.-based Brian Sokalsky, DO, pleaded guilty for his role in a $5 million scheme to defraud payers by submitting claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions, the Justice Department said March 28. 

Here are five numbers that provide a snapshot of the ASC industry that administrators should know:

Sage Transparency, a healthcare transparency database from the Employee's Forum of Indiana, has named the ASCs charging the highest percent above Medicare payments to commercial insurers in every state based on the facility's Medicare reimbursement rate. 

Nashville, Tenn.-based ASC management organization Regent Surgical Health has added Erik Kraemer as its new chief development officer. 

Thirty-three percent of physicians are explicitly not allowed to practice outside of their respective employment agreements, according to 2023 data from online networking service Doximity.

Thirty-three percent of physicians said they would most likely pursue a side gig to account for economic factors such as inflation, according to 2023 data from online networking service Doximity.