July/August 2025 Issue of Becker’s ASC Review
ON THE COVER
10 things brightening ASCs’ futures
From shifts toward site-neutrality to projected increases in patient volumes, there are a number of developments in healthcare that spell good news for ASCs and their future growth.
Claim checks all ASCs should have built in
Billing can be a hassle for hospitals and ASC alike, and mistakes in claims submissions can be costly for health systems and patients.
A blueprint for sustainable ASC ownership
As younger physicians weigh the burdens of ownership against the safety of employment, ASCs face a growing challenge: how to sustain physician engagement while maintaining financial stability.
‘They have to be hungry’: How ASCs navigate stiff headwinds
ASC leaders across the U.S. are facing an escalating series of headwinds, from anesthesia shortages to skyrocketing supply costs and stubborn staffing woes. And they’re getting creative to stay ahead.
The battle for physician autonomy: 5 trends
Autonomy remains a central concern for physicians as declining reimbursement rates, soaring operational costs and other financial burdens force them into increasingly consolidated practice models.
5 concerning trends ASC leaders are flagging
While there has been plenty of encouraging news in recent weeks for ASCs related to reimbursement rates, prior authorization reform and certificate-of-need regulations, a number of issues still weigh heavy on the minds of ASC leaders and physicians.
Stark law and clinic acquisitions: 10 takeaways
Stark law due diligence in clinic acquisitions must include meticulous evaluation of physician ownership and compensation to prevent self-referrals, according to a blog post from attorney Aaron Hall.
CMS’ newest payment model will bring ASCs ‘front and center’
The Transforming Episode Accountability Model from CMS is set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2026, and ties payments to the hospital to the total cost of care as well as quality of care delivered across an entire surgical episode.
GI breakthroughs reshaping care in 2025
2025 is bringing a wave of groundbreaking advancements in gastrointestinal care, with emerging technologies that aim to improve GI diagnoses, reduce recovery times and offer more effective treatments for patients.
Health systems wrestle with the ‘true cost of care’
As Executive Vice President and COO of Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health, John Gizdic is helping steer a nonprofit system through some of the most financially turbulent times in recent memory. With a deep background in hospital operations and a sharp eye for innovation, he is focused on balancing investment in care access, workforce and infrastructure while navigating shifting reimbursement and policy headwinds.
ASC MANAGEMENT
The battle for physician autonomy: 5 trends
Autonomy remains a central concern for physicians as declining reimbursement rates, soaring operational costs and other financial burdens force them into increasingly consolidated practice models.
Inside the state seeing rapid ASC growth
North Carolina has seen some of the ASC activity so far in 2025, with more than eight new centers opened or announced.
Claim checks all ASCs should have built in
Billing can be a hassle for hospitals and ASC alike, and mistakes in claims submissions can be costly for health systems and patients.
A blueprint for sustainable ASC ownership
As younger physicians weigh the burdens of ownership against the safety of employment, ASCs face a growing challenge: how to sustain physician engagement while maintaining financial stability.
5 concerning trends ASC leaders are flagging
While there has been plenty of encouraging news in recent weeks for ASCs related to reimbursement rates, prior authorization reform and certificate-of-need regulations, a number of issues still weigh heavy on the minds of ASC leaders and physicians.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
10 things brightening ASCs’ futures
From shifts toward site-neutrality to projected increases in patient volumes, there are a number of developments in healthcare that spell good news for ASCs and their future growth.
Will ASC migration harm hospital care? 1 surgeon weighs in
With more physicians and surgeons moving towards outpatient and ASC settings, one leader is concerned about the impact it could have on hospital care.
CMS’ newest payment model will bring ASCs ‘front and center’
The Transforming Episode Accountability Model from CMS is set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2026, and ties payments to the hospital to the total cost of care as well as quality of care delivered across an entire surgical episode.
ASCs sound the alarm on block time inefficiency
Amid persistent staffing challenges, shrinking reimbursements and tighter margins an overlooked, and often critical, threat to ASC profitability is inefficient block time utilization, leaders told Becker’s.
The future of robotics in ASCs
The continued expansion of robotics is the next step for ASCs to provide hospital-level care in surgical and outpatient centers.
ORTHOPEDICS
Dr. Daniel Choi’s ‘golden goose’ goal for endoscopic spine
Daniel Choi, MD, is often looking for new ways to innovate in endoscopic spine surgery.
Globus Medical names next CEO
Dan Scavilla stepped down as president and CEO of Globus Medical, and Keith Pfeil succeeded him, the company said July 21.
How orthopedic surgeon pay has changed over 5 years
Orthopedic pay has climbed significantly since 2021, according to annual Medscape reports.
Spine surgeon’s business playbook
More than ever, spine surgeons need to master the operational aspects of their work along with the clinical side.
Hospital separation spurs innovation, growth for orthopedic group
In 2023, CentraCare-owned St. Cloud Hospital cut off St. Cloud (Minn.) Orthopedics from its on-call partnership for trauma care, and since then the practice has leaned into new approaches to stay afloat.
GASTROENTROLOGY
GI breakthroughs reshaping care in 2025
2025 is bringing a wave of groundbreaking advancements in gastrointestinal care, with emerging technologies that aim to improve GI diagnoses, reduce recovery times and offer more effective treatments for patients.
ACG updates IBD guidance
The American College of Gastroenterology has released a 2025 update to its clinical guideline on preventive care in IBD, replacing the previous 2017 version, Medscape reported July 14.
GI’s biggest players
Gastroenterology groups across the U.S. are evolving rapidly through strategic mergers, private equity investment and care models.
Do GIs augment income with outside work? 5 stats to know
Thirty-four percent of gastroenterologists supplement their income through external work, according to Medscape’s Gastroenterologist Compensation Report published July 8.
TRANSACTIONS
‘They have to be hungry’: How ASCs navigate stiff headwinds
ASC leaders across the U.S. are facing an escalating series of headwinds, from anesthesia shortages to skyrocketing supply costs and stubborn staffing woes. And they’re getting creative to stay ahead.
Physician’s new ASC playbook
As ASCs continue to proliferate and consolidate, both hospitals and physician groups are rethinking their strategies to remain financially viable and competitive.
Private equity firm acquires Texas surgical hospital
IRA Capital, a private equity firm, recently acquired Houston Physicians’ Hospital in Webster, Texas, Citybiz reported July 7.
The financial threats facing ASCs
From the potential fallout of federal legislation to the rising costs of anesthesia services, two ASC administrators joined Becker’s to discuss the biggest financial threats they’re monitoring this quarter.
ASC leaders warn of cracks in the consolidation model
As ASCs become increasingly enmeshed in healthcare consolidation trends, leaders are voicing growing concern about the sustainability and consequences of these transactions.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
One Big Beautiful Bill Act fallout: Health system CEOs brace for change
After President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act July 4, health systems are calculating the potential effects of the new law and preparing new strategies accordingly.
Health systems wrestle with the ‘true cost of care’
As Executive Vice President and COO of Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health, John Gizdic is helping steer a nonprofit system through some of the most financially turbulent times in recent memory. With a deep background in hospital operations and a sharp eye for innovation, he is focused on balancing investment in care access, workforce and infrastructure while navigating shifting reimbursement and policy headwinds.
Why Judy Faulkner loves all her customers
Epic founder and CEO Judy Faulkner compares her health system customers to her children.
A new medical school’s nontraditional approach to physician education
The newly opened Charlotte, N.C.-based Wake Forest University School of Medicine is leaning into nontraditional teaching methods for medical students, NC Health News reported July 15.
