Category: ASC News

Tennessee physician to pay $700K to settle Medicare fraud allegations

A physician in Chattanooga, Tenn., and his practice in Ringgold, Ga., will pay $700,000 to resolve allegations that they submitted false claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary chelation therapy.  According to a March 14 news release from the Department of Justice, from September 2009 to January 2017, Robert Burkich, MD, allegedly billed Medicare for administering […]

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The most obese US cities

Nearly 42% of adults in the U.S. are considered obese, according to a March 17 report from personal finance website WalletHub.  Obesity-related medical treatments now cost the U.S. an estimated $190.2 billion annually. WalletHub looked at 100 of the most populated U.S. metro areas across 19 metrics to determine the 100 most overweight cities in […]

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Illinois physician pleads guilty to evading $1.6M in taxes 

A Lake Forest, Ill., physician has pleaded guilty to tax evasion for hiding assets and lying to the IRS about his ability to pay approximately $1.6 million in taxes. What happened? What’s next?

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Pennsylvania physician practice to close

A physician practice in Saint Mary, Pa., is slated to close, according to a March 15 notice in The Courier Express.  The pediatrics practice of John Gorlowski, MD, will be offering appointments until May 15, and the office will be open until June 19, according to the release.  The notice asks patients to contact the […]

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Dr. Oz’s confirmation hearing: Medicaid cuts, 6 other notes

Mehmet Oz, MD, President Donald Trump’s nominee for CMS administrator, was questioned by the Senate Finance Committee on March 14. The committee will now vote on whether to advance his nomination to the full Senate.  Here are seven takeaways on the hearing: 1. Questions at the hearing centered around potential cuts to Medicaid in the […]

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Nurse sues shuttered ASC for retaliation, sexual harassment

Tonya Becker, RN, a former employee of recently shuttered Sturm Cosmetic Surgery in Ames, Iowa, has filed a lawsuit against her former employer alleging retaliatory discharge, age discrimination and sexual harassment, the Ames Tribune reported March 14.  Ms. Becker was a registered nurse at the center for two years, until she claims she was wrongfully […]

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Nurses union opposes Dr. Oz CMS nomination

In November 2024, President Donald Trump chose Mehmet Oz, MD, as his nominee to lead CMS. Nomination hearings for the cardiology specialist began March 14, with Dr. Oz testifying before the Senate Finance Committee.  Meanwhile, the National Nurses Union, the largest union of registered nurses in the U.S., has issued a statement calling on the […]

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The 20 happiest cities in America

Fremont, Calif., has been named the happiest city in the U.S., according to WalletHub’s 2025 rankings.

Physicians warn AI is driving up prior authorization denials

The implementation of AI has become widespread in healthcare, but physicians are concerned that unregulated AI use is increasing prior authorization denials, according to a May 7 report by the American Medical Association. 

ASC Quality Collaboration taps executive director

The ASC Quality Collaboration has named Nina Goins, RN, as its executive director. Ms. Goins will succeed current executive director Kathy Wilson, RN.