Category: ASC News

5 BCBS updates for 2022, 2023

Insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield has been in negotiations with health systems across the country throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Here are five major updates from the company since May 24: 

The demographic most prone to 'quiet quitting'

College educated men between the ages of 25 and 39 led the “quiet quitting” movement in the U.S. between 2019 and 2022, according to a Jan. 9 report from Bloomberg. 

Former Florida physician sentenced to 20 years for $746M fraud scheme

Former physician Michael Ligotti was sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to surrender his medical license for a $746 million scheme involving substance abuse treatment centers, the U.S. Justice Department said Jan. 9. 

Self-employed physicians' workload: 4 stats

Medscape surveyed 744 self-employed physicians for its 2022 “Self-employed Physicians Report” on their experiences.

U.S. Urology Partners affiliate performs 100th Aquablation procedure

Scott Barkin, DO, a physician at Columbus-based Central Ohio Urology Group, an affiliate of U.S. Urology Partners, has performed the clinic’s 100th Aquablation procedure. 

Best telehealth practices for physicians, per the AMA

About 85 percent of U.S. surgeons are using telehealth in some capacity, according to the American Medical Association’s “2021 Telehealth Survey Report,” with 80 percent saying telehealth gives patients better access to care. 

Aventus files class action complaint against United Healthcare

Orlando, Fla.-based Aventus Health has filed a class action complaint against United Healthcare for allegedly failing to reimburse Aventus for 35,000 COVID-19 tests.

Gist Healthcare acquired by Kaufman Hall

Gist Healthcare, a healthcare consulting firm, has joined Kaufman Hall, a healthcare and higher education management consulting firm. 

Medical office building reopens following water damage closure

On Dec. 24, the OhioHealth Balgreen medical office building was forced to close after experiencing water damage due to freezing temperatures, according to a Jan. 9 report from Mansfield News Journal. 

Pennsylvania senators push for fewer restrictions on nurse practitioners

Pennsylvania state senators Camera Bartolotta and Lisa Boscola plan to refile a bill that will allow nurse practitioners to care for patients without collaboration agreements with physicians, the Morning Call reported Jan. 9.