Patsy Newitt

Many leaders say gastroenterology is getting hit harder by reimbursement cuts and payer behavior than other specialties. 

Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act enforcement is entering a new era — turning away from enforcement of COVID-10 pandemic-era fraud, Law.com reported Nov. 7. 

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group, parent company of Optum, to prevent its planned $3.3 billion acquisition of home health provider Amedisys, Bloomberg reported Nov. 12.

Physicians are increasingly concerned about independent practice viability amid another 2.83% cut by CMS.

Physician practices nationwide are struggling to fill roles amid widespread staffing shortages, with rural practices facing even greater challenges.

With autonomy top of mind for many practices, some groups are leaning on different models of ownership to reach economies of scale while keeping physicians in leadership positions. 

Several leaders joined Becker's on a Nov. 1 panel at the 30th annual Business and Operations of ASCs Meeting in Chicago to discuss emerging issues in gastroenterology and patient care technology, from artificial intelligence to new screening tools.

Retail giant Amazon continues to expand into healthcare, including partnerships with several health systems through its hybrid primary care company One Medical. 

The Children’s Medical Center Martinsville (Va.) will close Jan. 1 after 55 years of practice, citing "unavoidable financial hardship," the independent center said in a Nov. 11 post on social media. 

Brentwood, Tenn.-based ASC chain Surgery Partners posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.19 for the quarter, missing Wall Street's expectation of $0.25, according to third-quarter earnings released Nov. 12.