The ASC industry is historically fragmented, but slowly consolidating as practice costs soar. 

Family medicine physician Gustaco Villarreal, MD, will close his practice in Laredo, Texas, on Nov. 1, Laredo Morning Times reported Sept. 20. 

Five ASC leaders joined Becker's to discuss the future of ASCs. 

From site-neutral payment reform to consolidation, four ASC leaders joined Becker's to discuss the market trends shaping the ASC industry. 

OptumCare, based in Basking Ridge, N.J., is set to lay off 160 employees, according to a WARN notice posted on the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development website. 

Hospitals continue to look to ASCs for growth opportunities as they face mounting financial pressures and struggle to maintain operating margins."

Employed physicians have reported higher levels of burnout, anger and anxiety compared to independent physicians, according to a recent Physicians Foundation survey. 

More than half of independent physicians said mergers and acquisitions have negatively affected their job satisfaction, according to a recent Physicians Foundation survey. 

More independent and older physicians reported experiencing a reduction in income in the last year than employed physicians, according to a recent Physicians Foundation survey. 

The sentencing for an Raynaldo Ortiz Jr., MD, a former anesthesiologist at Baylor Scott & White Surgicare North Dallas who is accused of tampering with IV bags, has been delayed for the fourth time, CBS News Texas reported Sept. 18. 

The New York state budget for 2024 to 2025 includes new legal requirements for physician billing, The National Law Review reported Sept. 13. 

ASCs in many regions are facing increased patient volume and demand for care while margins remain tight and staff shortages loom.

Many leaders feel physician pay is not keeping up with the rising cost of practice, and CMS and other payer moves indicate this trend could continue. 

Here are 10 stats to know about how physician pay stacks up compared to ASC leader pay: 

Here are five moves from former or current Optum executives since July 12:

Here are three growing threats that continue to plague ASCs:

Physician pay is not keeping up with rising practice costs. 

Charlottesville, Va.-based UVA Health faculty have signed a no-confidence letter against two physician leaders, The Cavalier Daily reported Sept. 5. 

ASC leaders are less satisfied than in previous years with their role, and around one-third may exit their roles in the next year, according to OR Manager.

Great ASC administrators and leaders can be hard to find and retain.