The U.S. Justice Department is putting hospitals, ASCs and physician groups under the microscope, in search of improper relationships that violate anti-kickback laws, which could have big consequences for the industry.
ASC News
An Ohio-based health system paid millions to resolve claims that it made improper payments to physicians for referrals over six years, according to a statement from the Justice Department.
Medscape has frequently ranked Minnesota as one of the best states for physicians to practice in its annual list based on a number of factors. What makes the state an attractive place for healthcare workers?
Here are Becker's most read stories so far this year covering major events and ideas important to the ASC industry:
California has the most Medicare-certified ASCs in the nation, followed by Florida and Texas, according to a report from the Ambulatory Center Centers Association.
Advertisement
Many factors are driving migration of numerous spine and orthopedic procedures to ASCs, including cost pressures and regulatory changes.
There was a 32 percent increase in physician practice acquisitions by corporate entities in the past two years, which added 29,800 formerly independent practice physicians, according to a June 29 report from Avalere.
Deerfield, Ill.-based Surgical Care Affiliates and Orlando Center for Outpatient Surgery will pay $3.4 million to settle kickback allegations related to kidney stone procedures, according to a June 28 Justice Department news release.
HST Pathways, an ASC technology company, has rebranded its Casetabs software as HST Case Coordination, according to a June 28 news release.
Independent practices are uniting for scale and leverage during contract negotiations, but that may not be the best strategy for sustained success over the next decade.