Patsy Newitt

As of June 28, all 51 Walmart health centers have closed. 

There are several obstacles slowing the migration of gastroenterology procedures from the hospital outpatient departments to ASCs.  

Here are seven ASCs opened or announced in June, as reported by Becker's:

As hospitals continue to cut service lines amid thinning margins and high inflation, ASCs could have an opportunity to pick up patient volume. 

Anesthesiologist reimbursements are sinking as a provider shortage plagues ASCs and hospitals nationwide. 

OptumRx, Optum's pharmacy benefit management company, has agreed to pay $20 million to settle allegations it improperly filled certain opioid prescriptions, violating the Controlled Substances Act.

Optum, parent company of ASC chain SCA Health, has called off its plan to acquire financially troubled Steward Health Care's 1,700-physician group, The Boston Globe reported June 27.

 As physicians face high inflation rates and skyrocketing practice costs, many feel Medicare pay is insufficient. 

Cardiovascular procedures are ASCs' next frontier, as more high-acuity procedures become approved for the outpatient setting. 

Independent ASCs are facing major obstacles amid increasing healthcare consolidation and shifting payer behavior.