Category: ASC News

Iowa board can sanction physician who gave up license in another state

A judge has upheld the Iowa Board of Medicine’s right to sanction Dennis Colby, MD, who surrendered his Minnesota license amid a substandard care investigation, Iowa Capital Dispatch reported July 11. 

Cigna in headlines: 9 updates in 60 days

Nine Cigna updates over the last 60 days:

New York physician convicted of healthcare fraud 

A New York City-based physician was convicted of billing Medicare and Medicaid for procedures that were not performed, the U.S. Justice Department said July 8. 

More physicians turn to corporate employment, staff shortages growing: 4 trends for ASCs to follow

Almost three out of four physicians are employed by hospitals, health systems or other corporate entities such as insurers and private equity firms, while staff shortages that have recently plagued the healthcare system are expected to worsen in the co…

Physicians in this region pay the highest malpractice premiums

The Northeast has the highest malpractice premiums in the country, according to Medical Economics’ “2022 Physician Report” released June 16. 

Supreme Court clarifies liability standard for physicians prescribing controlled substances

The U.S. Supreme Court clarified June 27 what the “knowingly or intentionally” standard is for prosecutions against physicians accused of overprescribing medication, according to an article in JDSupra.

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.

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.