Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare reported an increase in both total outpatient surgeries and patient revenue from its outpatient facilities in the second quarter of 2021.  

A California-based interventional cardiologist agreed to pay millions of dollars to settle allegations of violating the False Claims Act, according to a July 19 Justice Department statement.

An outpatient care facility 100 percent leased by Escondido, Calif.-based Palomar Health was sold. 

Anchor Health Properties has purchased four medical office buildings that total more than 210,000-square feet and have a combined value of more than $100 million.

The financial strain of COVID-19 and dwindling interest in private practice from physicians in the early stages of their careers have prompted the closings of 31 physician groups and outpatient specialty centers this year.

OptumCare set the goal at the beginning of 2021 to add 10,000 physicians this year, and the company is more than halfway there, Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group and Optum, said during the second-quarter earnings call.

The Biden administration has begun making its mark on the U.S. healthcare system with strong support for competition.

Optum delivered a strong financial performance in the second quarter, driven by growth across all divisions, it reported July 15.

A multispecialty medical group purchased a surgery center in Riverside, Calif.

Oakland, N.J.-based Lakeland Bank provided $8.5 million to refinance an ASC in Bergen County, N.J., according to a July 13 release. 

Regenerative Surgical Surgery Center in Pasadena, Texas, was sold, according to a July 12 LinkedIn post by Matthews Real Estate Investment Services, the company that sold the center. 

ASCs Inc., a company that represents surgery centers in real estate transactions, has closed four deals since March.

Montecito Medical Real Estate acquired a medical office building housing an ophthalmology ASC in San Antonio, Texas, according to a July 8 news release. 

President Joe Biden signed an executive order July 9 addressing several issues important to healthcare providers and insurers.

Minneapolis-based MedCraft Investment Partners acquired a TriHealth ASC in Ohio, according to a July 8 email. 

From ASC to private practice acquisitions, here are 31 ASC transactions to know since Jan. 1:

Five June ASC acquisitions to know:

Here are 15 key updates on ASC companies and industry-relevant companies in the second quarter:

By the end of 2020, almost 70 percent of physicians reported being employed, and there was a steep acceleration of physicians joining hospitals or corporate entities in the last six months of the year.

Physicians have strong opinions about private equity investment in healthcare. Some see huge potential, while others are skeptical of outside investors.