Author: Patsy Newitt

Phoenix-based Tri-City Cardiology and three physicians have agreed to pay $4.75 million to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act by performing medically unnecessary vein ablations, the Justice Department said in a March 12 news release.  The settlement resolves…

A new Federal Trade Commission study found that primary care is far less concentrated than many physician specialties, with just 18% of primary care ZIP codes classified as highly concentrated. Published March 11, the study uses claims data from six…

HHS’ Office of the Inspector General issued a favorable result regarding a proposal to offer discounts to certain ASCs in intraocular lenses and supplies in cataract surgery, law firm Epstein Becker Green said in a March 12 blog post.  Here…

The ophthalmology sector has experienced significant consolidation over the past five years, largely driven by private equity, according to a report from VMG Health. Here are seven things to know from the report: 1. Deal volume in the ophthalmology sector…

For physicians, the growing influence of pharmacy benefit managers is affecting how easily they can prescribe medications, how much patients pay out of pocket and how long treatment takes to begin, according to a July report from the American Medical…

For many ASCs, implants have become a difficult expense to manage, often requiring large upfront payments while reimbursement remains inconsistent. “Implants and surgical supplies are the most consistently misaligned ASC expense,” Peter Bravos, MD, chief medical officer of Sutter Health’s…

Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Erlanger Health System must defend against two False Claims Act lawsuits after a federal judge denied the system’s bids to dismiss the cases. Here are 10 things to know: 1. Erlanger is facing two related False Claims Act…

A mix of staffing shortages, recruitment challenges and financial pressures has fueled a wave of healthcare closures in Maine, with six practices and clinics shuttering or announcing plans to close in the last six months. Healthcare providers across Maine have…

ThedaCare Physicians-Weyauwega (Wis.) will permanently close on June 30, WBAY reported March 3.  Kori Krueger, MD, ThedaCare senior vice president and president of the North Region Physician Group, said in a statement that the closure is part of the organization’s ongoing…

Health systems across the U.S. are expanding gastroenterology services as demand for digestive care, endoscopy and colorectal screening continues to rise.  From large academic systems launching specialized programs to community hospitals investing in outpatient endoscopy suites, Becker’s has reported on…