October 2025 Issue of Becker’s ASC Review
ON THE COVER
ASC consolidation by the numbers
The ASC sector is rapidly consolidating. National operators, health systems and private equity firms are accelerating acquisitions, reshaping market dynamics and changing what it means to be an independent ASC.
The middle-market ASC revolution
As the ASC industry heats up with competition between hospitals, health systems, corporate entities and independent practices, smaller and mid-sized practices are getting creative in their approach to practice growth and consolidation.
The next big staffing crisis in ASCs
ASCs are already feeling the strain this fall as staffing challenges deepen beyond the well-documented nursing shortage. Rising case complexity, workforce burnout and reimbursement pressures are exposing new vulnerabilities in anesthesia, robotics support and specialized perioperative care.
The crossroads of ASC growth
Once viewed as niche facilities for low-acuity, outpatient procedures, ASCs are poised to expand into new specialties, adopt higher-acuity surgeries and redefine patient and physician expectations for surgical care.
10 numbers making ASCs nervous
From ballooning staffing budgets to physician burnout, here are 10 statistics weighing heavily on ASC leaders:
How to create the ideal ASC workplace
As ASCs face heightened pressure from rising labor costs and staffing shortages, retaining top talent has become paramount to practice sustainability and success.
Spine tech surgeons say will be obsolete by 2035
Fluoroscopy and standalone imaging are among technologies that are most likely to be outdated in the next 10 years, spine surgeons say.
Unnecessary spine surgeries cost Medicare $1.9B: 6 notes
Over three years unnecessary back surgeries have cost Medicare an estimated $1.9 billion, according to an analysis from the Lown Institute.
5 GI companies growing their ASC footprint in 2025
Gastroenterology is increasingly shifting to the outpatient setting, with physician groups and private equity platforms building large networks of ambulatory surgery centers. In 2025, a handful of GI organizations stand out for their growing ASC portfolios.
10 ASC M&A trends to know in 2025
Mergers and acquisitions remain a driving force in the ASC industry, as national operators, health systems and private equity firms seek scale, specialty depth and stronger physician alignment.
ASC MANAGEMENT
How ASCs are shaping the next generation of leaders
As surgical volumes surge and competition for talent intensifies, ASCs are rethinking how they cultivate the next generation of leaders.
UnitedHealthcare cut to CRNA services goes into effect
On Oct. 1, a new UnitedHealthcare policy went into effect, cutting reimbursements to certified registered nurse anesthetists by 15%.
10 numbers making ASCs nervous
From ballooning staffing budgets to physician burnout, here are 10 statistics weighing heavily on ASC leaders:
The middle-market ASC revolution
As the ASC industry heats up with competition between hospitals, health systems, corporate entities and independent practices, smaller and mid-sized practices are getting creative in their approach to practice growth and consolidation.
Compass Surgical Partners taps CFO
Raleigh, N.C.-based Compass Surgical Partners has named John Hammack as chief financial officer.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Inside the cultures that keep ASC staff coming back
Strong culture, open communication and recognition often outweigh compensation when it comes to retaining ASC staff. Becker’s sat down with the following ASC leaders to discuss what it is about their workplace cultures that they believe makes their ASC a special place to work.
Why ASC growth is hitting roadblocks
ASCs are primed for growth, but industry leaders say a mix of restrictive regulations, stagnant reimbursements, and rising costs are keeping many facilities from reaching their potential.
How to create the ideal ASC workplace
As ASCs face heightened pressure from rising labor costs and staffing shortages, retaining top talent has become paramount to practice sustainability and success.
ASC leaders’ advice for industry newcomers
The ASC industry is dynamic and growing as healthcare organizations — from physician groups to private equity firms — look to invest in ASC development and growth.
ORTHOPEDICS
Spine tech surgeons say will be obsolete by 2035
Fluoroscopy and standalone imaging are among technologies that are most likely to be outdated in the next 10 years, spine surgeons say.
Campbell Clinic launches endoscopic spine fellowship
Memphis, Tenn.-based Campbell Clinic is launching a first-of-its-kind endoscopic spine fellowship in the U.S.
Spine surgeons’ ‘fiduciary’ responsibilities: Q&A with Dr. Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski
In a healthcare system that’s becoming highly focused on resource management, it’s more important than ever for spine surgeons to collaborate on changes in care delivery and patient outcomes, Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski, MD, told Becker’s.
Spine surgeons can thrive without CMS. Here’s how
Declining CMS rates and increased payer obstacles have led some spine surgeons to drop insurance contracts, including Vladimir Sinkov, MD.
Unnecessary spine surgeries cost Medicare $1.9B: 6 notes
Over three years unnecessary back surgeries have cost Medicare an estimated $1.9 billion, according to an analysis from the Lown Institute.
GASTROENTROLOGY
5 GI companies growing their ASC footprint in 2025
Gastroenterology is increasingly shifting to the outpatient setting, with physician groups and private equity platforms building large networks of ambulatory surgery centers. In 2025, a handful of GI organizations stand out for their growing ASC portfolios.
The state of private equity in GI in 2025
Private equity’s role in gastroenterology is shifting in 2025. While overall deal volume has slowed, acquisitions are getting larger, more strategic and increasingly subject to regulatory scrutiny.
5 forces driving GI consolidation
At least 47% of physicians were employed by or affiliated with hospital systems in 2024, up from around 30% in 2012, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.
The biggest disruptor of GI care
Rising costs of living and healthcare are reshaping the gastroenterology field, according to Gregory Brennan, MD, of Texas Digestive Disease Consultants.
GI pay by years of experience
Gastroenterologists see steady pay growth as they advance in their careers, according to salary data from Marit Health, which collects anonymous physician compensation information.
TRANSACTIONS
5 moves disrupting the physician market
Here are five acquisition updates disrupting the physician market:
Specialty surgery group takes over retiring physicians’ office
Overland, Kan.-based Head and Neck Surgery of Kansas City is expanding into its fourth location as it takes over the office of Parker Thornton, MD, at his office in Shawnee Mission, Kan.
5 ASC closures in 2025
1. Buffalo, N.Y.-based Kaleida Health System closed an ASC that has been in operation for more than 35 years. Kaleida cited multiple factors contributing to the closure, including reductions in federal funding — specifically in Medicaid reimbursement.
Who backs the largest ASC operators?
Private equity firms have had a significant impact on the ASC industry over the past few years, providing investments to ASC operators across a number of specialties.
10 ASC M&A trends to know in 2025
Mergers and acquisitions remain a driving force in the ASC industry, as national operators, health systems and private equity firms seek scale, specialty depth and stronger physician alignment.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
‘Rip the Band-Aid off’: Health systems opt for ‘big bang’ Epic go-lives
Epic is encouraging health systems to turn on the EHRs across their enterprises all at once, though some organizations are sticking with a phased rollout.
A health system ambulatory boom is coming
Ambulatory care has been on the agenda for decades, but today it has become a strategic imperative for health system C-suites.
Costco to sell Wegovy, Ozempic
Costco and Novo Nordisk are teaming up to sell a month’s supply of Ozempic or Wegovy for $499 — a sharp discount for the two GLP-1 medications.
OBBBA impact could cost hospitals $25B a year: Report
Hospitals nationwide could see annual revenue losses of up to $25 billion through Medicaid losses stemming from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to a new analysis from Kodiak Solutions.
12 fastest-growing healthcare jobs by 2034
The U.S. is expected to add 5.2 million jobs from 2024 to 2034, with healthcare and social assistance projected to see the largest job growth and be the fastest-growing industry sector in terms of employment at 8.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
