February 2026 Issue of Becker’s ASC Review
On The Cover
The Stark law dilemma facing physicians
Stark law was built to guard against financial conflicts in a fee-for-service world, but as healthcare shifts toward value-based care, many physicians say the decades-old framework is creating new friction.
Outpatient cardiology’s CMS whiplash
For some independent cardiology practices, financial and operational stability may feel like a moving target as reimbursement policies and reporting requirements continue to shift.
The expanding role of ASCs in orthopedic surgeries
Orthopedics and spine are among the hottest specialties for ASCs and outpatient settings this year, driven by CMS’ removal of nearly 300 musculoskeletal procedures from its IPO list.
Where ASCs are reaping the AI benefits
As payer complexity and administrative burdens intensify, ASCs are turning to AI as a way to protect margins and efficiency by using it to manage prior authorizations and appeals, optimize OR performance and explore new clinical applications.
How 5 ASC leaders are thinking about the industry
From the rise of de novo facilities to the continued decline of reimbursement rates, ASC leaders are constantly retooling their approach based on what the industry throws at them.
10 key consolidation trends for ASC leaders to know
Healthcare mergers and acquisitions are becoming more prevalent as organizations face increased competition, staffing challenges and financial hurdles.
Why Compass Surgicals’ new CEO is focused on scaling before growth
Compass Surgical Partners’ newly appointed CEO Mark Langston is stepping into the role with a clear operational focus. After previously serving as the company’s chief development officer, Mr. Langston joined Becker’s to discuss how his top priority is building people, processes and infrastructure ahead of growth.
5 new GI devices to know in 2026
As gastroenterology shifts further toward advanced outpatient care, a new wave of devices is expanding what can be treated endoscopically, and how efficiently practices can operate.
The cracks in the physician consolidation model
Physician consolidation has defined much of the past two decades in healthcare. Independent practices have folded into hospital systems, private equity firms have accelerated acquisitions and employment has replaced ownership for a growing share of physicians.
ASC Management
How 5 ASC leaders are thinking about the industry
From the rise of de novo facilities to the continued decline of reimbursement rates, ASC leaders are constantly retooling their approach based on what the industry throws at them.
10 key consolidation trends for ASC leaders to know
Healthcare mergers and acquisitions are becoming more prevalent as organizations face increased competition, staffing challenges and financial hurdles.
Outpatient cardiology’s CMS whiplash
For some independent cardiology practices, financial and operational stability may feel like a moving target as reimbursement policies and reporting requirements continue to shift.
The retention breakthrough anesthesia needs
Anesthesia workforce shortages aren’t easing, and raising compensation alone isn’t the fix. Across the country, anesthesia leaders say retention hinges less on headline pay and more on culture, schedule control and operational sustainability.
The expanding role of ASCs in orthopedic surgeries
Orthopedics and spine are among the hottest specialties for ASCs and outpatient settings this year, driven by CMS’ removal of nearly 300 musculoskeletal procedures from its IPO list.
Thought Leadership
The Stark law dilemma facing physicians
Stark law was built to guard against financial conflicts in a fee-for-service world, but as healthcare shifts toward value-based care, many physicians say the decades-old framework is creating new friction.
The multifaceted roles of academic ASCs
Last year, CMS approved more than 500 procedures for the outpatient setting, representing a huge win for the leaders and physicians in the ASC industry who have advocated for an expanded ASC covered procedures list for years.
Where ASCs are reaping the AI benefits
As payer complexity and administrative burdens intensify, ASCs are turning to AI as a way to protect margins and efficiency by using it to manage prior authorizations and appeals, optimize OR performance and explore new clinical applications.
Why Compass Surgicals’ new CEO is focused on scaling before growth
Compass Surgical Partners’ newly appointed CEO Mark Langston is stepping into the role with a clear operational focus. After previously serving as the company’s chief development officer, Mr. Langston joined Becker’s to discuss how his top priority is building people, processes and infrastructure ahead of growth.
Orthopedics
CMS’ fraud crackdown and musculoskeletal care
CMS’ six-month moratorium on Medicare enrollment for certain durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies vendors is the latest move in its broader fraud crackdown, but musculoskeletal leaders are divided on what it will mean for care delivery. While some view the policy as necessary upstream enforcement to curb long-standing abuse in orthotics and equipment billing, others warn it reflects deeper oversight failures and could unintentionally disrupt legitimate innovation and patient access.
Dr. Alex Vaccaro: Turning payers into allies
In healthcare, partnerships between insurers and physicians are often announced with optimism and framed as transformative, yet many fail to achieve sustained alignment due to competing incentives.
An implementation hurdle in endoscopic spine
Endoscopic spine surgery comes with some hurdles such as the learning curve. But a greater barrier facing spine surgeons wanting to add endoscopic technology is the implementation itself, Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski, MD, said.
What orthopedic practices need to stay competitive
With patient expectations higher than ever, orthopedic practices are looking to the integration of robotics within joint replacement surgeries and offering an after-hours schedule as top priorities in meeting demand.
Gastroenterology
Screening vs. diagnostic colonoscopy billing: 10 notes
Colonoscopy billing can be very complex, hinging on distinctions between screening and diagnostic intent. A single ICD-10 code, CPT selection or missing modifier can shift a procedure from fully covered preventive care to a medically necessary diagnostic service.
Why the real GI AI disruptor won’t be in polyp detection
Much of the GI community has anchored its view of AI to adenoma detection rates, but Neil Parikh, MD, a gastroenterologist with Farmington-based Connecticut GI, says the bigger disruption will come from predictive analytics and chronic disease management.
5 new GI devices to know in 2026
As gastroenterology shifts further toward advanced outpatient care, a new wave of devices is expanding what can be treated endoscopically, and how efficiently practices can operate.
Transactions
The cracks in the physician consolidation model
Physician consolidation has defined much of the past two decades in healthcare. Independent practices have folded into hospital systems, private equity firms have accelerated acquisitions and employment has replaced ownership for a growing share of physicians.
The outpatient specialties that dominated 2025 deal activity
There were 148 deals involving outpatient care providers in 2025, including 119 add-on acquisitions, seven leveraged buyouts and 22 growth or expansion investments, according to a report from the Private Equity Stakeholder Project.
The data that sealed this ASC’s robotics deal
In early February, Ortho Rhode Island began offering Stryker’s Mako SmartRobotics for reverse shoulder replacement procedures at the Ortho RI Surgery Center, becoming the first ASC in the state to do so.
What’s driving Novant’s ASC expansion
Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health is accelerating its outpatient strategy as it builds out a 25-center ASC network designed to shift volume out of hospitals and closer to patients.
Inside SCA Health’s strategy for partnering with 60+ health systems
Deerfield, Ill.-based SCA Health, Optum’s ASC arm, is one of the largest ASC operators in the country and has steadily expanded its footprint through joint ventures with hospitals and health systems.
Healthcare News
10 themes for health system growth in the next year
As health systems head into 2026 amid margin pressure, policy uncertainty and rising demand, executives are converging around a shared set of priorities. Across responses from CEOs, CFOs and senior leaders, the message was consistent: growth must be disciplined, operationally grounded and closely tied to mission and access.
When — and why — Adventist HealthCare encourages physicians to say no
As executive vice president and chief medical officer of Adventist HealthCare, Patsy McNeil, MD, delivers an unconventional message to new physicians: the importance of knowing when to say no when asked to take on responsibilities beyond their primary role.
The area of health system operations changing the fastest from 4 strategic leaders
Becker’s asked four healthcare strategic leaders what area of health system operations is changing the fastest.
