Patsy Newitt

Here are five reimbursement issues currently impacting gastroenterology:

Springfield (Mass.) Anesthesia Service will shutter Dec. 31, laying off 91 employees, according to a WARN notice filed with the state. 

CarePoint Health Systems, based in Jersey City, N.J., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Nov. 3 to continue operating its facilities while financially restructuring. 

CMS released its 2025 physician payment rule, which includes a 2.83% conversion factor decrease from 2024. 

CMS finalized a reimbursement increase of 2.9% for ASCs meeting quality reporting requirements next year. 

Here are the number of ASCs and affiliated physicians at five of the biggest ASC chains in the U.S.:

Massive healthcare sell-offs are impacting ASCs in various markets, including changes in competitive dynamics, reimbursement rates and opportunities for partnerships.

Freestanding ASC claims accounted for almost half of all anesthesia-related malpractice cases, according to a recent study published in the International Anesthesia Research Society journal that analyzed anesthesia malpractice claims. 

Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International, Tenet Healthcare's ASC arm, is emphasizing high-acuity procedures to fuel its expansion.

Concerns among physicians about the future of healthcare have intensified following CMS finalizing a 2.83% physician pay cut Nov. 1.