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California health system to offer same-day surgeries with ASC partner
Robotics Outpatient Center Los Angeles and Prime Healthcare have inked a deal to expand both groups’ outpatient surgery offerings, the Ontario, Calif.-based health system said July 8.
Feds crack down on illegal drug prescribing
In the last month, Becker’s has reported on at least three physicians who have come under fire for illegally prescribing drugs.
Physicians balk at ‘devastating’ Medicare proposed pay cuts
Physicians are baffled by Medicare’s physician fee schedule proposed rule for 2023, which would reduce the conversion factor by 4.42 percent to $33.08 and potentially decrease older adults’ access to care.
Routine colonoscopy cost by state: HOPD vs ASC
Alaska is the most expensive state in the U.S. to undergo a routine colonoscopy, according to Sidecar Health’s care calculator.
Whistleblower suit against UPMC, physician group will proceed, judge rules
A federal judge rejected the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s bid to dismiss a whistleblower lawsuit against UPMC, its physicians group and its chair of cardiothoracic surgery, NBC affiliate WPXI reported July 7.
Most expensive ASC projects of Q2
Here are the five most expensive ASC projects covered by Becker’s in the second quarter of 2022, totaling $1.7 billion:
West Virginia hospital pays $1.5M to settle self-referral allegations
Weirton (W.V.) Medical Center has agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated physician self-referral laws, the U.S. Justice Department said July 7.
Bill easing Pennsylvania ASC restrictions awaits governor’s signature
Some of the bureaucratic red tape that Pennsylvania surgery centers face will be stripped away once Gov. Tom Wolf signs legislation two years in the making, wearecentralpa.com reported July 7.
CMS seeks 4.43% physician fee cut in 2023
CMS has released its Medicare physician fee schedule proposed rule for 2023, which suggests further cuts to physician pay while inflation and the cost of running an independent practice continue to rise.
CMS proposes follow-up colonoscopy after at-home test be considered preventive service
In an effort to reduce colonoscopy access barriers, CMS is proposing that follow-up colonoscopies to at-home tests be considered a preventive service.
