Category: ASC News

UnitedHealth gold-card program takes effect: What ASCs should know

On Oct. 1, UnitedHealthcare’s national prior authorization gold-card program went into effect. The payer announced the program in August and rolled out its list of eligible procedures on Sept. 1, which included several ASC-related codes. 

5 best small cities for education, health

The five best small cities for education and health are in Massachusetts, according to a new ranking from Wallethub.

The 7 most popular ways for nurses to supplement income in 2024

Nearly 50% of registered nurses take on extra work to supplement their yearly income, according to Medscape’s 2024 “Gains Made, but a Ways to Go: “Medscape RN/LPN Compensation Report,” published Oct. 2. 

2024 RN compensation: 10 things to know

Registered nurses earn an average annual total compensation of $95,000 in 2024, up nearly 7% from the year prior, according to Medscape’s 2024 study, “Gains Made, but a Ways to Go: Medscape RN/LPN Compensation Report,” published Oct. 2. 

8 hospitals shuttering services in September

As hospitals continue to shutter services, ASCs could see an influx in patients who have lost access to services through providers at hospitals or HOPDs. 

Massachusetts hospital to pay $5.5M+ to settle kickback allegations

Brookline, Mass.-based First Psychiatric Planners, operating as Bournewood Health Systems and Bournewood Hospital, has agreed to pay between $5.5 million and $6.5 million to settle allegations it violated the False Claims Act by way patient kickbacks.

Surgery Partners, Hyde Park Capital form orthopedic platform

Surgery Partners and Hyde Park Capital partnered to form Midwest Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Alliance.

$400M fraud case against former Tenet executives moves to trial

A fraud and kickback case against former Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare executives John Holland and William Moore, and co-defendant Edmundo Cota will proceed to trial after federal prosecutors won the right to use statements from 10 alleged co-conspirat…

HCA, Cigna negotiate into 11th hour: 5 things to know

Nashville-based HCA Healthcare and Cigna Healthcare were in negotiations over a new contract well into the final day of their current agreement on Sept. 30, the Houston Business Journal reported. 

ASC chain sued for alleged age, disability discrimination

ASC chain Inova Surgery Center, an affiliate of Falls Church, Va.-based Inova Health, has been charged with violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act for firing an employee because of disability and age….