Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1499344
9 ASC MANAGEMENT 10 most expensive states for physicians to live in By Patsy Newitt H awaii is the most expensive state to live in, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' "2021 Consumer Expenditures Survey," the most recent data provided by the organization. e cost of living indexes were gathered for housing, groceries, utilities, healthcare and transportation, and overall annual expenditure totals for each living expense. Here are the most expensive states for physicians to live in: 1. Hawaii State cost of living index: 186 State annual expenditures: $124,486 2. Massachusetts State cost of living index: 149.9 State annual expenditures: $100,325 3. California State cost of living index: 138.7 State annual expenditures: $92,829 4. New York State cost of living index: 135.7 State annual expenditures: $90,821 5. Alaska State cost of living index: 125.5 State annual expenditures: $83,995 6. Maryland State cost of living index: 124.1 State annual expenditures: $83,058 7. Oregon State cost of living index: 122.2 State annual expenditures: $81,786 8. Vermont State cost of living index: 116.4 State annual expenditures $77,904 9. Connecticut State cost of living index: 115.4 State annual expenditures: $77,235 10. New Hampshire State cost of living index: 114.7 State annual expenditures: $76,766 n AmSurg ASCs have new deal with Aetna By Laura Dyrda A mSurg's more than 250 surgery centers are now in-network with Aetna after Envision Healthcare signed a multiyear deal with the insurer. AmSurg operates surgery centers and facilities across the U.S., focused primarily on ophthalmology and gastroenterology. AmSurg has facilities in 24 states and around 2,000 physicians in its network. The surgery center company is part of Envision Healthcare, a physician services network backed by private equity firm KKR. Both commercial and Medicare members of Aetna health plans are part of the deal. Aetna is owned by CVS Health. n SCA Health names new CEO By Laura Dyrda SCA Health's CEO Caitlin Zulla has been promoted to CEO of Optum Health's east region, according to a March 10 statement. Jason Strauss, who has been with SCA Health for 15 years, was promoted from president to CEO of the company. Mr. Strauss has spent time as COO and group president, leading surgery centers in multiple states. He has focused on growth, strategic partnerships and talent development throughout his career. Ms. Zulla was CFO before being promoted to CEO and during her three years leading the company delivered results aligned with the Quadruple Aim. She built teams, aligned resources and evolved the organization from a surgery center business into a specialty care company. SCA's Optum Specialty Practices provides a business model for physicians to support independent practice and growth amid the shift to value-based care. In her new role with Optum, Ms. Zulla will oversee healthcare delivery services in the northeastern U.S, with responsibility for primary, specialty, surgical, home-based care and more. She will also focus on the region's urgent, behavioral, virtual and community care services SCA Health now has more than 320 surgical facilities and 9,200 physicians in its network. The company serves around 1.43 million patients per year. It also has a physician-led managed service organization model and connects patients to Optum Care physicians through its Specialist Management Solutions business. n