Author: Patsy Newitt

December has been a tumultuous month for anesthesia pay policy, as provider and public outrage has spurred two payers to reverse controversial reimbursement policies. 

Sixteen separate cardiology practices across 12 states have agreed to pay a total of more than $17.7 million to resolve allegations they overbilled Medicare for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals. 

SCA Health's Permineter Surgery Center in Atlanta closed Dec. 20, according to a notice on SCA Health's website. 

Russel, Pa.-based Pine Grove Ambulatory Surgery Center unexpectedly closed Dec. 19, according to a statement on its Facebook page. 

Four gastroenterology groups have announced plans to add providers or expand locations in the last week. 

Deerfield, Ill.-based SCA Health, Optum's ASC arm, has acquired OrthoAlliance, a spokesperson for the orthopedic management services organization confirmed to Becker's. 

Here is a state-by-state breakdown of 22 physician practice closure Becker's reported on in 2024:

 Here are five of the many physicians on the cutting edge of gastroenterology: 

Device company ASD Specialty Healthcare, doing business as Besse Medical, has agreed to pay $1.67 million to resolve allegations it provided inventory management systems to ophthalmology practices at no cost to induce them to purchase drugs from Besse. 

A Louisville, Ky., anesthesiologist was sentenced to one year of probation after pleading guilty to illegal opioid distribution, WDRB reported Dec. 18.