Anesthesia costs squeeze ASCs as staffing shortages, reimbursement gaps widen
Editor's Note Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) continue to face a mounting anesthesia crisis: costs are rising, staffing is tightening, and reimbursement is failing to keep pace. Anesthesia payments have dropped 8.2% over the past decade, while provider salaries have risen by as much as 40%, creating a growing financial burden…
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…
CMS 2026 proposed rule: Expanded ASC access, higher payments, tighter quality reporting
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just proposed sweeping changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2026, including extensive changes to outpatient Medicare policy such as payment increases, expanded procedural access, and new quality reporting updates, as outlined in…
Health systems retreat from partnerships to control costs, refocus on core care
Editor's Note Some health systems are cutting ties with long-standing partners to conserve resources, brace for financial uncertainty, and prioritize core clinical services, Modern Healthcare June 26 reports. With looming federal reimbursement cuts and increasing economic pressures, providers are reassessing the value and sustainability of affiliations formed during more stable…
Major insurers pledge prior authorization reform
Editor's Note Nearly 50 major US health insurers—including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Elevance, and Humana—have pledged to reform prior authorization practices, with the goal of easing administrative burdens and improving access to care, according to a June 23 article in Healthcare Dive. As detailed in the article, the announcement came from…
CMS takeover of 340B looms as some health systems double down on drug discount strategy
Editor's Note The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program may soon shift from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a move that could bring tighter oversight and lasting consequences for safety-net providers, Modern Healthcare June 2 reports. The proposed transfer, part…
Healthcare leaders project revenue gains from value-based care despite persistent hurdles
Editor's Note Nearly two-thirds of healthcare organizations expect increased revenue from value-based care (VBC) arrangements in 2024, signaling growing confidence in the model despite concerns over financial risk and infrastructure gaps, according to a May 19 report in Healthcare Finance. The findings are based on a nationwide survey of 168…
Report: Hospitals double down on ASCs as outpatient shift accelerates
Editor's Note Hospitals and health systems are all-in on ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), with ownership now the rule rather than the exception, according to the 6th Avanza Intelligence Hospital Leadership ASC Survey published in 2025. The report, produced in partnership with HealthLeaders Media, shows 82% of hospitals now own at…
ASCA 2025: Leading lawmaker reflects on surgery center priorities
Editor's Note At the 2025 Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) conference, discussion of legislative priorities extended beyond educational sessions. Thanks to a visit from the ranking lawmaker of the congressional subcommittee responsible for most healthcare policymaking, attendees also got first-hand insight into the latest negotiations on Capitol Hill. US Representative…
Renewed push for healthcare price transparency faces familiar challenges
Editor's Note Although a recent executive order from President Donald Trump aims to make hospitals and insurers reveal negotiated prices, data inconsistencies and a lack of consumer usability continue to hinder progress, according to a March 31 article from NPR. As detailed in the report, the executive order builds on…
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