Category: ASC News

Doubling down on healthcare monopolies: 4 cases to know

In the last six months, health systems and the U.S. Justice Department have filed antitrust lawsuits and launched investigations, alleging monopolies against insurance providers, anesthesia providers and more. 

The clinic closures of 2024 and what they mean for ASCs

Hospitals are continuing to face financial hardships, and some are resorting to closing clinics or shuttering outpatient services. 

Physicians under arrest: 5 criminal cases in 2 weeks

Here are five physicians who have been arrested or charged with crimes, pleaded guilty or been sentenced recently, as reported by Becker’s since Feb. 23:

Physician sentenced for illegally dispensing prescriptions via telehealth

A former physician in California was sentenced to 37 months in prison for illegally dispensing prescriptions for controlled substances during telemedicine sessions. 

Duke University ASCs remove visitor restrictions

Durham, N.C.-based Duke University ASCs will lift patient visitation restrictions effective March 5, according to a March 4 report from WRAL News.

The hospitals, health systems facing multimillion-dollar Stark law penalties

The federal government continues to stress that improper financial arrangements between hospitals and physicians can “compromise medical judgment and threaten the integrity of federal healthcare programs,” according to a new report from law firm Bass, …

New Jersey ASC fined $76K for safety violations

The Center for Modern Surgery in Secaucus, N.J., has been fined $76,500 by the state Department of Health for more than a dozen safety violations, according to a March 4 report from NJ.com. 

CMS moves to increase physician pay: 3 things to know

Congress released a $460 billion spending package that would halve 2024’s 3.4% Medicare pay cut for physicians to approximately 1.7%. 

Medical equipment company owner pleads guilty to $3.6M kickback scheme

A Florida man pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme that defrauded Medicare and other benefit programs of at least $3.6 million.

HCA, UPMC among most world's ethical health systems

For-profit ethical standards company the Ethisphere Institute has named the “world’s most ethical companies” of 2024, adding four major health systems to the list.