The volume of ASCs in Massachusetts is well below the national average, according to a Feb. 15 report from local news station WWLP based on data shared with state health regulators. 

Higher-acuity procedures are moving out of hospitals and into ASCs, according to a Feb. 13 article from VMG Health.

Today, nearly two-thirds of American hospitals and a substantial number of ASCs nationwide are owned by large health systems. 

Around 33% of hospitalists are feeling burned out in 2024, down from 36% in 2023, according to Medscape's 2024 "Hospitalist Burnout and Depression Report," published Feb. 16. 

Here are three kickback schemes where physicians settled or pleaded guilty that Becker's has reported on since Jan. 30:

ASCs have several pros for both patients and physicians, including more buy-in opportunities, more physician autonomy and lower cost of care. As the popularity and prevalence of ASCs continues to expand year over year, the facilities hold the upper hand in some cases, while falling short in others. 

Employers in West Virginia are struggling the most with hiring compared to other states, according to personal finance site WalletHub.

A federal court has dismissed a complaint filed by an Ohio physician, who alleged that physician group Alliance Physicians failed to heed his warnings regarding patient safety concerns, resulting in intolerable working conditions that forced him to resign, according to documents filed Feb. 12 with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

More than 50% of physicians would be willing to take less pay in exchange for better work-life balance, according to Medscape's "Physician Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2024," published Feb. 13.

Healthcare is the industry seeking the most new workers in 2024, with 335,017 open job listings posted nationally, according to a new study from law firm Schmidt & Clark, which analyzed over 2.3 million job listings posted to Indeed over the last 14 days. 

In 2024, 34 billionaires who made their wealth in the healthcare industry were featured on Forbes' annual list of the richest people in the world.

As hospitals face soaring supply and labor costs and labor shortages, some are forced to shutter services. 

Twenty-eight percent of physicians consume less than one drink a week, according to Medscape's Feb. 13 "Physician Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2024." 

A vast majority of physicians 45 and under (78%) believe that it is very important to prioritize personal and family time amid busy work schedules, according to Medscape's 2024 "Physician Lifestyle and Happiness Report," published Feb. 13. 

Although the national average hourly pay for nurse practitioners is $59.94, that number could be more than 20% greater — or 20% less — depending on the state one practices in, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics employment survey.

The most common thing physicians do to maintain their mental and physical health is spend time with friends and family, according to a recent survey by Medscape.

Last month, CMS published its Interoperability and Prior Authorization final rule, which applies to Medicare Advantage organizations, state Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program plans, Medicaid managed care plans, CHIP managed care entities and Qualified Health Plan issuers. 

Medscape laid out physician specialties with the happiest marriages in its Feb. 13 "Physician Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2024." 

Seventeen percent of physicians drive Toyotas, according to Medscape's Feb. 13 "Physician Lifestyle and Happiness Report 2024." 

More than 80% of physicians believe their diet is very healthy or somewhat healthy, according to Medscape's 2024 "Physician Lifestyle and Happiness Report," published Feb. 13.