Editor's Note Surgical episodes for Medicare Advantage (MA) patients cost less and used fewer resources than those for traditional Medicare (TM) beneficiaries, according to a JAMA Health Forum study published August 1. Researchers analyzed 1.18 million procedures performed on 1.11 million beneficiaries and found 30-day episode costs were 3.1% lower…

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Editor's Note Meeting with a health behavior psychologist before orthopedic surgery can help patients identify and overcome barriers to recovery, leading to better surgical outcomes, according to a University of Missouri School of Medicine July 31 news article covering a study published in the Journal of Knee Surgery. The study…

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Editor's Note Artificial disc replacement (ADR) in the cervical spine can be performed safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively in outpatient/ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), Ortho Spine News July 31 reports. The article details research from Steven J. Girdler, MD, of DISC Surgery Center, who reviewed 6 years of data from 1,043 patients…

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Editor's Note Patients treated by hospital-affiliated physicians are far less likely to receive specialty procedures in lower-cost settings, while private-equity–affiliated doctors are the most likely to steer patients toward these options, Ambulatory Surgery Center News August 12 reports. The findings come from a Mount Sinai study that examined physician affiliation,…

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For decades, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have shown their ability to deliver high-quality surgical care at substantially lower cost than hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). ASCs achieve these savings through leaner operations, streamlined staffing models, and specialty-focused efficiencies, not by compromising safety or outcomes. Studies consistently highlight procedures performed in ASCs…

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Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are taking on more high-acuity, same-day procedures than ever before. This growth is driven by evolving clinical protocols, cost-conscious reimbursement strategies, and expanded capabilities in outpatient care. Specialties like orthopedics, spine, ophthalmology, and cardiovascular care are moving more complex cases—and the implants that come with them—out…

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Editor's Note Each month of delay between breast cancer diagnosis and surgery raises the likelihood of tumor upstaging, nodal spread, and in vivo tumor growth, according to a national database analysis published in Annals of Surgical Oncology on July 23. The researchers reviewed records from more than 1 million patients…

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Editor's Note Physician attire, particularly white coats, directly affects patients' perceptions of professionalism, trust, and communication, according to an August 12 article in MedPage Today. Preferences vary dramatically based on clinical setting, medical specialty, and physician gender. The article focuses on a systematic review published in The BMJ analyzing patient…

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Editor's Note Major for-profit health systems are accelerating investments in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) as they brace for long-term revenue reductions under the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” tax law. Systems including HCA Healthcare, Tenet Healthcare, Community Health Systems (CHS), and Universal Health Services (UHS) outlined aggressive ASC growth strategies…

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Editor's Note Hospital-employed physicians are least likely and private equity (PE)-affiliated physicians most likely to provide care in lower-cost ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) or offices, according to a study published July 24 in the Journal of Market Access & Health Policy These care site differences translate to substantial variation in…

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