Becker's ASC Review

7 ASC MANAGEMENT Stryker sets sights on ASCs for 2021 By Laura Dyrda I n 2020, Stryker launched its ASC sales model to leverage the com- pany's portfolio for the outpatient setting. During its 2020 earnings call on Jan. 28, CEO Kevin Lobo spoke about where the company sees its ASC strategy headed. "I'm delighted with the ASC offense [strategy] that we put in place. It involves people from different parts of Stryker that basically quarterbacked the deal and bring in multiple divisions based on the unique needs of every ASC," said Mr. Lobo, as transcribed by Seeking Alpha. "Every ASC is unique. Every deal is a customized deal but the way we've negotiated this enables incredible collaboration across our divisions." Mr. Lobo predicts the trend toward hip, knee, foot, ankle and spine procedures will continue to accelerate in the ASC, especially since Medicare now covers total hip replacements there as of Jan. 1. "is is a trend for the future, and I actually think it's not going to stop in the United States," he said. "ere are already countries like the U.K. and even Canada that are looking at moving to lower-cost sites of care. It's a good thing for healthcare overall." He said the ASC model has exceeded expectations in the past year and he's confident the company will have continued success with ASCs and installing Mako robotic technology. e company sold and installed 100 robots in the fourth quarter of 2020 across all settings and overall grew the number of installed systems by 33 percent last year. Mr. Lobo said ASCs delayed large capital spending during the pandemic, but he has observed their spending is starting to pick up again. Stryker's acquisition of Wright Medical also fits into its ASC strategy. Wright Medical's portfolio includes extremi- ties products that are currently used in ASCs. n 10 high-paying cities for private practice orthopedic surgeons By Laura Dyrda P rivate practice orthopedic surgeons are paid the most in Savannah, Ga., according to Medscape's online salary comparison tool, the physician salary explorer. Medscape surveyed more than 100,000 physicians to learn more about average annual salary. Below are 10 cities with the highest average annual salary for self-employed ortho- pedic surgeons. 1. Savannah, Ga.: $558,088 2. Omaha: $546,219 3. Des Moines, Iowa: $544,185 4. Lincoln, Neb.: $543,468 5. Champaign, Ill.: $541,145 6. Minneapolis: $539,631 7. Albany, N.Y.: $539,424 8. Sioux Falls, S.D.: $539,158 9. Hartford, Conn.: $537,683 10. Providence, R.I.: $536,991 n Ohio physician gets 2 years in prison for role in opioid scheme: 3 details By Laura Dyrda M orris Brown, MD, an Ohio- based physician, was sen- tenced to two years in prison for his role in an illegal opioid distribu- tion scheme, according to the Depart- ment of Justice. Three details: 1. Dr. Brown pleaded guilty to unlaw- ful controlled substance distribution in February 2020. He was charged in 2019 with four others who agreed to fraudu- lently procure controlled substances. 2. The defendants obtained the con- trolled substances from a pharmacy that leased space in a building Dr. Brown owned. 3. Dr. Brown admitted to prescrib- ing more controlled substances to patients for a longer period of time than was medically necessary. He said he knowingly prescribed dangerous combinations of drugs with a greater risk of overdose and death. n Delaware ophthalmology practice's COVID-19 business disruption claim dismissed By Eric Oliver A n Ohio pleas court dismissed Dover-based Eye Specialists of Delaware's COVID-19 business interruption claim against Harleysville Worcester Insurance Feb. 1, Lexology reported. The ophthalmology practice sought relief from the insurance company after the state of Delaware declared a state of emergency in March 2020. The insurance company had a virus exclusion clause stating it would not pay out for damages related to such outbreaks. The court sided with the insurance company, finding the policy's virus exclusion was unambiguous and clearly stated it wouldn't cover the practice's claimed losses during the time business was disrupted. Eye Specialists of Delware provides ophthalmic and surgical care. n

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