Editor's Note Hospitals that cling to higher hospital outpatient department reimbursements and resist ASC development could be left behind as payers are applying pressure to move these cases to more affordable settings, according to insights highlighted in a December 11 news story in Becker’s ASC review. One expert advised collaboration…

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Editor's Note New research sheds light on the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced a significant shift in surgeries from inpatient to outpatient settings, with the most pronounced shift occurring for hip and knee replacements. The findings published December 6 in Sage Journals also showed greater declines in overall…

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Editor's Note Ten CEOs leading ambulatory surgery centers and physician practices across the US were highlighted in a December 9 news story in Becker’s ASC review. Selected based on editorial research, the leaders were noted for championing innovative, value-based care and demonstrating forward-thinking leadership to advance high-quality and cost-effective care,…

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Editor's Note Although financial challenges such as lower reimbursement and higher operational costs continue into 2026, opportunities on the horizon present new ways ASC business can evolve, according to a December 15 news story in Ambulatory Surgery Center News. One major opportunity highlighted is the shift of complex care moving…

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Editor's Note Care can be highly variable across outpatient settings for patients receiving follow-up care for traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as for skull fracture repair and shunt placement. Inadequate follow-up care after initial injury is a key factor in the potential for poor TBI outcomes. A new clinical practice…

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Editor's Note Several ASC leaders recently shared the financial threats they are most concerned about in 2026, including staffing costs and the changing payer landscape, in a December 5 news story in Becker's ASC Review. For example, staffing costs are a top concern for an ASC administrator at a surgery…

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Editor's Note As surgical procedures are shifting to the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) setting, smart planning and preparation can help ASCs approach smart growth in the next several years, according to a November 21 news story in Becker’s ASC Review. The article highlighted several business-savvy strategies for smart service line…

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Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has delayed the start date for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) prior authorization demonstration that affects ten states. This delay shifts the date previously set for December 15, 2025, and sets two different phases across affected states into 2026, according…

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Editor's Note Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) leaders processing the November 21 decision from CMS to finalize its proposal to phase out Medicare’s inpatient-only list are looking at the change with optimism, as well as caution, according to a November 26 news story in Ambulatory Surgery Center News. The article featured…

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Editor's Note With the increasing shift from inpatient to outpatient care in the US, one important question is how this shift impacts care access across patient populations from different socioeconomic areas. This is especially true as financial incentives can potentially lead to ASC openings in more affluent areas to increase…

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