The ASC industry has already seen sweeping changes in 2025, from seismic payer and regulatory shifts to billion-dollar acquisitions reshaping the market.
Here are five of the biggest ASC developments to know in 2025:
1. UnitedHealthcare instituted a 15% reimbursement reduction for independently practicing CRNAs. Claims billed under the QZ modifier now reimburse at just 85% of the allowable.
2. CMS’ 2026 proposed rule would add 276 procedures to the ASC Covered Procedures List while beginning to phase out the inpatient-only list — including 285 mostly musculoskeletal procedures slated for ASC adoption.
3. St. Louis-based Ascension announced plans to acquire Nashville-based AmSurg for $3.9 billion, adding more than 250 ASCs across 34 states.
4. Optum’s SCA Health acquired U.S. Digestive Health, a rapidly growing platform of 250 gastroenterology providers, 40 practices, and 24 ASCs across Pennsylvania and Delaware.
5. Matt Stone was named CEO of Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International, the San Antonio Business Journal. Mr. Stone previously led Tenet’s Central, South, and West Texas group and held leadership roles at Northeast Baptist Hospital and Resolute Health Hospital.
