Episode 290 - Whistleblower Verdict, a $6B ASC Buying Spree, Nonprofit ASC Profitability, and an Interview with ASCA's Kara Newbury on the National Picture and 2027 Payment Rule - October 13, 2026
In this episode of the ASC Podcast with John Goehle, we cover a whistleblower verdict against an Optum-affiliated ASC, the $6 billion wave of ASC M&A activity, new scrutiny of nonprofit ASC profitability, the health systems racing into the ASC space, and what Joint Commission surveyors say ASCs should expect. Then John sits down with Kara Newbury, ASCA's Chief Advocacy Officer, recorded at the CASA Annual Conference in Monterey, California, for a conversation on where the ASC industry stands in Washington heading into 2027. This episode is sponsored by Surgical Information Systems , RFX Solutions , Medserve and Ambulatory Healthcare Strategies . Notes and Resources from this Episode: Anesthesiologist wins $1.6M whistleblower verdict against Optum-affiliated ASC — Becker's ASC (September 23, 2026): beckersasc.com The $6B ASC buying spree — Becker's ASC (September 22, 2026): beckersasc.com Ambulatory Surgery Centers Show ‘Remarkably High Profitability’ — Ambulatory Surgery Center News (September 28, 2026), citing Plummer, Doyle and Bai, JAMA Health Forum: ascnews.com 8 health systems edging ahead in the ASC race — Becker's ASC (August 25, 2026): beckersasc.com Joint Commission Surveyors Offer ‘Sneak Peek’ of What ASCs Can Expect — Ambulatory Surgery Center News (October 8, 2026): ascnews.com ANNOUNCEMENT — Live Conference Week recordings (Infection Control 101, QAPI, Article 28 Mastery) are now available for individual purchase; IC Coordinator 201 is coming shortly — Premium Access members get all four free: asc-central.com 2026 Multi-State Virtual ASC Conference — December 3–4, 2026, free to members of participating state associations: asc-central.com/2026-multi-state-conference The Survey Guide — John Goehle's book on the CMS Conditions for Coverage & Interpretive Guidelines for ASCs: lulu.com The new ASC Central website: asc-central.com INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASC PODCAST WITH JOHN GOEHLE ASC Central is our one-stop site for ASC bootcamps, live and on-demand conferences, and membership programs — now at asc-central.com (the old conferences.asc-central.com address has been retired). Patron Member Program — $25/month for an individual listener who wants a richer podcast experience and wants to support the show: the resource library, weekly drop-in Zoom sessions, six recorded conferences, the member forum, the podcast library, and the electronic Survey Guide for ASCs, 2026 Edition with Appendices A–N. Become a Patron Member Premium Access Program — $3,995/year for the entire surgery center: education, compliance resources and staff training for ASC leaders and owners who need more support without engaging a full management or outsourced-services company. It includes the three leadership bootcamps, ASC Leadership Mastery, Infection Control 101 & 201, Annual Mandatory Education, compliance tools and self-assessments, the conference library, applicable certificates, and up to five hours of private consulting a year. Sign up for Premium Access Membership program details: https://asc-central.com/memberships/ | Live Conference Week recordings: https://asc-central.com/educational-programs/ Important Resources for ASCs: Conditions for Coverage: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=42:3.0.1.1.3&idno=42#se42.3.416_150 Infection Control Survey Tool (Used by Surveyors for Infection Control) https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107_exhibit_351.pdf Updated Guidance for Ambulatory Surgical Centers - Appendix L of the State Operations Manual (SOM) https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_l_ambulatory.pdf https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/updated-guidance-ambulatory-surgical-centers-appendix-l-state-operations-manual-som Policy & Memos to States and Regions CMS Quality Safety & Oversight memoranda, guidance, clarifications and instructions to State Survey Agencies and CMS Regional Offices. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Policy-and-Memos-to-States-and-Regions Other Resources from the ASC Podcast with John Goehle: Visit the ASC Podcast with John Goehle Website Books by John Goehle Get a copy of John’s most popular book - The Survey Guide - A Guide to the CMS Conditions for Coverage & Interpretive Guidelines for Ambulatory Surgery Centers

