Physician noncompete clauses are common, and getting out of them is a challenge, according to a report from Medscape.

Bon Secours acquired a Richmond, Va.-based orthopedic practice with 13 physicians, according to a report from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Greenway Health, a health information technology services provider, announced two new partnerships with Tucson (Ariz.) Gastroenterology and Midland (Texas) Cardiac Clinic to help the practices improve revenue cycle management.

Independent surgery centers experienced revenue loss last year when elective surgeries were limited due to COVID-19, but many ramped cases back up and aim to stay independent if possible.

Whittier, Calif.-based PIH Health has acquired cardiovascular care group Los Angeles Cardiology Associates.

Many ASC leaders feel that physician-owned practices are in danger of conflicting priorities with private equity investment. 

A new study showed that many total knee arthroplasty procedures shifted to the outpatient setting after CMS removed procedures from its inpatient-only list in January 2018, implying market and financial pressures are encouraging more outpatient care delivery. 

Raleigh (N.C.) Orthopaedic Surgery Center's outpatient total joint program grew by 40 percent in 2020, with the center completing 348 total joint procedures. The center is expected to exceed last year's total in 2021. 

Medical office space fared much better than conventional offices during the COVID-19 pandemic as patients aimed to stay away from crowded hospitals, the Los Angeles Business Journal reports. 

Charlotte, N.C.-based Metrolina Nephrology Associates is building a 68,000-square-foot medical center with an ASC. 

A physician's partnership in El Paso, Texas, sold an orthopedic-focused medical real estate portfolio with an ASC to a medical real estate investment trust for $9.5 million. 

Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Healthcare Trust of America purchased Durham. N.C.-based Duke Medical Plaza for more than $16 million, Triangle Business Journal reported March 29.

Multiple principals of Towson, Md.-based SurgCenter Development were lead investors in biologics company Mesoblast's private placement of $110 million in early March.

Towson, Md.-based SurgCenter Development, one of the biggest ASC development and management companies, has had a busy quarter, acquiring two ASCs so far in 2021.

Health systems, ASC chains and private equity firms are eyeing ASCs as investment targets with high growth potential, and the market is competitive.

La Salle Investment Management acquired a Beverly Hills, Calif., medical office building with ASC for $74.4 million. 

From Ohio to Phoenix, medical office building deals have sprung up in the first months of 2021. Here are 16 MOB deals in the first quarter so far:

Jamie Heater, RN, Compass Surgical Partners' vice president of facility development, and Will Holding, Compass' vice president of development, joined the "Becker's Spine & Orthopedics Podcast" to outline how patient education can be critical in doing more complex outpatient procedures. 

Medical group practice and surgical center closures and sales in 2021:

Deerfield, Ill.-based Surgical Care Affiliates grew steadily in 2020 despite pandemic setbacks. Three months into 2021, the company has already acquired several new ASCs and plans to add more in the coming months.