Author: Patsy Newitt

Meridian, Miss.-based physician Gregory Auzenne, MD, pleaded guilty to a federal charge in connection with a $1.5 billion nationwide pain cream fraud scheme, the Clarion Ledger reported March 20. 

The ASC at Hudson, Fla.-based Bonati Spine Institute has been shut down after the state suspended its license, the Tampa Bay Times reported March 17.

Becker's has reported on seven CEOs who have announced plans to step down in March. 

Former Escondido, Calif.-based anesthesiologist Leng Ky was sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexually assaulting patients while they were unconscious, the Times of San Diego reported March 16. 

The Federal Trade Commission is suing Dalal Akoury, MD, a former Myrtle Beach, S.C.-based physician, of making a range of false claims surrounding addiction and cancer treatment, NBC affiliate WMBF reported March 17. 

Las Vegas is the best paying city for ophthalmologists of any experience level regardless of practice setting, according to the Medscape Salary Explorer.

Justin LaMonda, MD, a physician based in Moberly, Mo., pleaded guilty to a $537,322 fraud scheme, admitting he used his father's name to falsely bill Medicare and Medicaid, the Justice Department said March 14. 

More than 108,700 physicians shifted to employment from 2019 to 2021, according to an April report from Avalere, and some leaders are concerned about how this is shifting care delivery. 

As of March 12, Cigna is lowering reimbursements for non-medically directed procedures performed by certified registered nurse anesthetists by 15 percent, Tony Mira, CEO of Anesthesia Business Consultants, wrote in a blog post. 

As physician shortages worsen, healthcare and ASC leaders are worried about the effect it could have on patient care.