Author: Patsy Newitt

Walmart, CVS and Walgreens faced major headwinds in 2024 as their efforts to push into primary care faltered. 

President-elect Donald Trump will take office for the second time in January, and ASC leaders are preparing amid his plans to appoint a swath of new leaders to oversee aspects of the healthcare system.

Ker Leader Medical, a new ASC development company, is dedicated to preserving physician autonomy and promoting ASC independence.

An Elevance-backed healthcare company based in Puerto Rico — MMM Holdings — has agreed to pay more than $15 million to resolve allegations that it violated kickback laws through a gift card incentive program intended to induce Medicare enrollments.

Becker's has reported on three physician fraud cases since Dec. 16. 

Ker Leader Medical, a new ASC development company, is committed to preserving the autonomy of physicians and ASC leadership. One key way they achieve this is through their innovative financing model.

Here is a state-by-state breakdown of seven ASC closures Becker's reported on in 2024:

A family medicine physician in Three Rivers, Mass., will pay $220,000 to settle allegations he prescribed controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice.

December has been a tumultuous month for anesthesia pay policy, as provider and public outrage has spurred two payers to reverse controversial reimbursement policies. 

Sixteen separate cardiology practices across 12 states have agreed to pay a total of more than $17.7 million to resolve allegations they overbilled Medicare for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals.