Author: Patsy Newitt

A Seattle-based plastic surgery center was fined $5 million for threatening patients with illegal nondisclosure agreements and falsifying online reviews to inflate their surgeon owners' reputation, according to a July 2 news release from Washington's Office of the Attorney General. 

The anesthesia industry is facing a mounting provider shortage, with demand for anesthesiologists far outstripping supply. 

Securing anesthesia providers is becoming increasingly difficult for ASCs and hospitals across the country amid increasing shortages and plummeting reimbursements. 

Gastroenterology procedures make up 10 of the 25 most common procedures performed at ASCs, and leaders continue to look to these procedures to facilitate growth. 

Home health companies Guardian Health Care, Gem City Home Care and Care Connection of Cincinnati have agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle claims they provided kickbacks to physicians and assisted living facilities for Medicare referrals.

While independent ASCs have a steady hold on the market, with 68.1% of centers being freestanding, big chains continue to grow their market share as healthcare continues to consolidate. 

Independent ASCs often struggle to compete with larger providers in securing lucrative contracts for reimbursements and supplies, but have a critical edge when it comes to recruitment. 

Patient experience scores at ASCS hit a five-year high in 2023, according to a June 26 report from Press Ganey.

A physician in the Chicago suburbs has pleaded guilty to a $2.4 million healthcare fraud scheme of billing Medicaid and private insurers for nonexistent services. 

Youngstown, Ohio, was ranked U.S. News & World Report's most affordable place to retire in 2024.