CMS’s plan to phase out inpatient-only list could bolster rural ASCs
Editor's Note The proposal from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to eliminate the Medicare Inpatient Only (IPO) list over 3 years could significantly expand opportunities for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), with rural facilities among those positioned to benefit most, Ambulatory Surgery Center News August 12 reports. The…
Leveraging technology to streamline ASC operations, optimize patient care
As we celebrate National ASC Month, it is worth recognizing how central ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have become to modern healthcare. Today, there are more than 12,000 ASCs across the US, including over 6,500 Medicare-certified facilities operating some 18,800 surgical suites. With over 80% of all surgical procedures being performed…
Hospital margins improve as outpatient revenue accelerates, but costs loom
Editor's Note Hospital operating margins rose in June as outpatient revenue growth fueled stronger financial performance, though rising bad debt and non-labor expenses continue to pressure stability, according to Kaufman Hall’s latest National Hospital Flash Report. HealthLeaders August 18 covered the findings. As detailed in the article, the median year-to-date…
Hospital margins stable despite rising drug, supply costs
Editor's Note US hospitals and physician practices demonstrate steady financial performance through the second quarter of 2025, with health system operating margins holding at a median 1.2% year-to-date, according to new data from Strata Decision Technology analyzing more than 1,850 hospitals and 152,000 physicians. DotMed reported the news August 4,…
Rehab hospitals face scrutiny over safety, profits
Editor's Note Although for-profit rehab hospitals have become highly profitable, a recent KFF Health News report highlights serious safety violations, including patient deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning, medication errors, and falls. Published July 15, the article delves into recent data and inspections of these facilities, particularly those run by…
Hospital M&A climbs as rural, outpatient shifts reshape care strategies
Editor's Note Hospital mergers and acquisitions saw a slight increase in Q2 2025, but broader shifts in healthcare affiliations and delivery models continue to gather momentum, according to a July 10 Kaufman Hall analysis of M&A activity for the second quarter of 2025. The report recorded eight hospital and health…
Health systems slash jobs amid mounting financial pressures
Editor's Note A recent report in Becker’s Hospital Review outlines six recent examples of hospitals and health systems laying off workers in response to deepening financial strain. In a separate report, the outlet listed 11 hospitals and health systems that received credit rating downgrades from Fitch Ratings or Moody’s Investors…
Bad debt climbs as patient defaults, denials impact hospital revenue growth
Editor's Note Bad debt—payments hospitals expected to collect but ultimately had to write off—is increasing across hospitals as patients struggle to pay their share of healthcare costs and insurers raise the rate of claim denials, Modern Healthcare reported June 19. Citing a Kaufman Hall analysis of data from about 700…
OR Business Management Summit rebrand signals deeper focus for perioperative business leaders
Editor's Note The formerly titled OR Business Management Conference has rebranded as the OR Business Management Summit, reflecting a strategic shift toward more tailored, immersive support for perioperative business leaders, an OR Manager June 10 press release reports. The newly renamed Summit emphasizes curated content, targeted networking, and facility-specific learning…
High drug manufacturing costs threaten hospital-led pharmacy expansion
Editor's Note Hospitals are ramping up in-house pharmacy operations to boost revenue and improve care, but high US manufacturing costs continue to stall a broader federal effort to reshore drug production, Modern Healthcare June 5 reports. As detailed in the article, an aging, medically complex population is driving demand for…
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- Endoscopy case highlights risks of complex patients in ASCs
- Robotics and AI are redefining precision in cataract surgery
- CMS plan to phase out inpatient only list sparks debate over safety for vulnerable patients
- ACS issues new best practices for managing genitourinary trauma
- Complex aortic surgery shown safe with minimally invasive approach
- Drug that makes tumors glow is transforming cancer surgery
- Surgical robotics market accelerates as new players challenge industry giants