The most affordable towns for physicians to live in are located in states including Illinois, Texas and Pennsylvania, which are all home to over 100 ASCs. 

Phoenix-based Banner Health's surgery center in Loveland, Colo., will close March 31, the Loveland Reporter-Herald reported March 7.

Hospitals cutting service lines is bad news for health systems, but could offer a unique opportunity for ASCs.

President Joe Biden has released his plans for Medicare in his 2024 budget, including extending coverage and lowering costs. 

Hospitals, health systems and ASCs are facing devastating physician and nurse shortages, and many leaders feel policy makers' solutions are insufficient. 

Denial rates serve as a barometer for the financial well-being of healthcare organizations. An increase in denials can have wide-ranging negative implications for an organization — impacting everything from accounts receivable to the patient experience. 

West Virginia legislators are looking to pass Senate Bill 650, which would allow physician assistants to own their own practice.

Julie Wittwer has been named the chief financial officer at Savannah, Ga.-based Optim Health System, providing services for Optim's ASCs, outreach clinics and hospitals, according to a March 6 report from the Savannah Business Journal.

Murrysville, Pa.-based emergency room physician Jessie Kunkel, MD, was charged for writing fraudulent prescriptions, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said March 1. 

As hospital finances continue to weather the storm of increased labor and operating expenses, some have begun to take a hard look at services they can no longer afford to offer. 

Roland Chalifoux, DO, is suing New Martinsville, W.Va.-based Wetzel County Hospital, West Virginia United Health System in Morgantown and multiple physicians for suspension of staff privileges, WTRF reported March 2. 

A Georgia appellate court has reversed a decision made by the state's General Assembly, which found a physician liable for a physician assistant's alleged negligence, JDSupra reported March 2. 

the healthcare workforce lost 333,942 providers in 2021. The ongoing shortage of health professionals has put more pressure on physicians who remain in practice. 

Becker's has reported on several notable rankings recognizing the best and worst places in the U.S. for multiple categories, including business, healthcare, retirement and more.

Brian Hyatt, MD, chair of the Arkansas State Medical Board, has been suspended from participating in Arkansas' Medicaid program following fraud allegations, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported March 2. 

12 Walgreens updates Becker's has reported on since Dec. 28: 

ASC billing services provider Surgical Notes has tapped Hilary Sondik as its executive vice president of operations. She has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare revenue cycle operations. 

Physicians have several options when it comes to choosing a long-term practice setting. From private practice to a large health system, there are pros and cons to every practice option, according to a March 2 report from the American Medical Association. 

Orlando (Fla.) Health has added former Surgical Care Affiliates leader Colleen Heeter, BSN, as its vice president of ASCs. 

From skyrocketing inflation to CMS pay cuts, physicians are facing compensation declines affecting their practices and livelihoods.