Category: ASC News

Annual malpractice premium costs for employed, self-employed physicians

Malpractice premiums are on the rise nationwide, according to Medscape’s “The Rising Price of Risk Management: Physicians and Malpractice Report 2024,” published Oct. 11. 

5 hospitals shuttering surgical services

More hospitals are shuttering surgical services amid financial challenges amid soaring costs and declining reimbursements. 

5 hospitals, health systems facing Stark law allegations

The Department of Justice is doubling down on Stark law violations, with CMS settling a record-breaking total of $12.6 million in Stark law in 2023, a 552% increase from 2021. 

Baxter Health expands anesthesia coverage with new hire

Deerfield, Ill.-based Baxter Health has hired anesthesiologist Miguel Plaza-Lloret, MD, to its medical staff.

3 states with new malpractice legislation in 2024

There were 57 medical malpractice verdicts of $10 million or more, with more than half of those verdicts hitting $25 million — and the legislation surrounding malpractice lawsuits and physician liability could be changing in a number of states.

Nurse practitioners sue New York for unequal pay

A group of nurse practitioners has sued New York state in federal court alleging their employer has them doing the same work as physicians, but for substantially less pay, according to an Oct. 10 Medscape report. 

10 vital lessons from ASC, physician leaders

Fifty-six ASC leaders shared the most important things they’ve learned during their leadership tenures with Becker’s on Oct. 2. 

2 California residents charged in $54 million Medicare fraud scheme

Sophia Shaklian of Los Angeles and Alex Alexsanian of Burbank, Calif., were arrested on an indictment alleging that they planned to defraud Medicare out of more than $54 million. 

Virginia physician pleads guilty to illegal drug distribution, money laundering

An emergency medicine physician from Annandale, Va., has pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 7,000 oxycodone pills, 34,000 milliliters of hydrocodone-chlorpheniramine solution and 107,000 milliliters of promethazine-codeine solution.

North Carolina physician, practice to pay $625K to settle kickback allegations 

A physician in Landis, N.C., and his medical practice have agreed to pay $625,000 to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act from their involvement in a laboratory kickback scheme.