Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Summary
Episode: Dr. Scott Hannam, Partner at Emerge Ortho and President and Medical Director of Brunswick Surgery Center
Host: Chanel Bunger
Release Date: June 28, 2025
Introduction
Recorded live at the 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management Driven ASC plus the Future of Spine Conference, Chanel Bunger welcomes Dr. Scott Hannam to discuss key trends, technological advancements, and growth strategies in the realm of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and orthopedic care.
Guest Background
Dr. Scott Hannam introduces himself as a total joint orthopedic surgeon with 27 years of practice. He serves as a partner at Emerge Orthopaedics, a substantial independent orthopedic supergroup in North Carolina. Emerge Orthopaedics unites multiple independent groups across cities like Wilmington, Raleigh, Winston Salem, Greensboro, and Asheville. Under his leadership, the organization launched its physician-owned surgery center in Wilmington six years ago, successfully navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the center conducts approximately 4,500 surgeries annually across four operating rooms, reflecting its significant growth and operational success.
Notable Quote:
"We've been successful and we made it through [COVID] and now we do about 4,500 surgeries a year and four operating rooms and very busy, very successful."
— Dr. Scott Hannam [01:19]
Top Trends in Healthcare and ASCs
Chanel probes into the three top trends Dr. Hannam is observing in healthcare and ASCs:
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Shift of Orthopedic Surgeries to Outpatient Settings:
- Pre-COVID Momentum: The movement of orthopedic surgeries from hospitals to outpatient settings was already underway before the pandemic.
- Acceleration Due to COVID-19: The pandemic served as a catalyst, compelling the adoption of outpatient procedures to mitigate hospital crowding.
- Efficiency and Patient Outcomes: Dr. Hannam notes that 70-80% of orthopedic surgeries can be safely and successfully performed in ASCs, leading to better patient outcomes and lower infection risks.
Quote:
"Covid was a catalyst because we couldn't do surgery in the hospitals. But the trend of moving the majority of orthopedic surgeries to an outpatient setting was already happening."
— Dr. Scott Hannam [02:46] -
Regulatory Challenges and Access Issues:
- Facility Limitations: Despite the benefits, there's a shortage of ASC facilities to meet the increasing demand.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Various states impose stringent regulations on ASC ownership, construction, and operations, creating access barriers.
Quote:
"There's an access issue, which is a good and a bad thing for ASC."
— Dr. Scott Hannam [03:10] -
Reimbursement Discrepancies:
- Economic Impact: The federal government reimburses ASC procedures at lower rates compared to hospitals, undermining the economic viability of ASCs.
- Advocacy Needs: Dr. Hannam emphasizes the necessity for national lobbying efforts to address and rectify these reimbursement disparities.
Quote:
"Federal government, unfortunately, does not reimburse surgeries to be done at an ASC at the same rate that they do at a hospital... that is a threat and an issue that's influencing the economics of ASCs."
— Dr. Scott Hannam [04:03]
Focus and Excitement for the Second Half of 2025
When discussing his current focus and areas of excitement, Dr. Hannam highlights two primary areas:
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Overcoming Access Challenges:
- Enhancing Efficiency: Striving to make outpatient surgeries more accessible by improving operational efficiencies and cost-effectiveness.
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Technological Advancements:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Integration of AI in various facets of operations, including documentation, patient visits, operative notes, billing, and collections.
- Robotic Surgery: Adoption of advanced surgical technologies to enhance precision and efficiency.
- Economic Improvements: Belief that proper implementation of technology can lead to better healthcare economics by increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
Quotes:
"We're seeing [AI] incrementally in the way we document cases, the way we do patient visits... little AI programs that we're using for billing and collection."
— Dr. Scott Hannam [04:48]"It's very fun, you know, to see where that goes and how that can make us even more efficient and improve... we can deliver better care to patients."
— Dr. Scott Hannam [05:45]
Chanel reflects on Dr. Hannam’s optimism:
"A lot of cautious optimism."
— Chanel Bunger [06:15]
Growth Strategies for the Upcoming Year
When asked about growth plans for the next year or so, Dr. Hannam delves into strategic partnerships and independent practice advocacy:
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Partnerships with Like-Minded Orthopedic Groups:
- Collaborative Networks: Through organizations like Pelto, Emerge Orthopaedics aims to unite independent orthopedic groups nationwide.
- Collective Bargaining: Enhancing contracts with payers and suppliers by leveraging collective strength.
-
Employee Benefits and Competitive Edge:
- Enhanced Coverage: Providing better healthcare coverage and benefits to employees to retain talent and maintain competitiveness.
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Sustaining Independence:
- Avoiding Red Tape: Maintaining independence from large healthcare systems and university affiliations to minimize bureaucratic complexities.
Quotes:
"Our biggest driver is how do we partner with other like-minded independent orthopedic groups around the country."
— Dr. Scott Hannam [06:28]"It's a different model than being owned by a healthcare system or being owned by a university system, which has benefits but also has a lot of red tape and a lot of complexities."
— Dr. Scott Hannam [07:15]
Dr. Hannam envisions this strategy to expand nationwide over the next three to five years, ensuring that independent practices can thrive amidst rapid changes in healthcare economics.
Conclusion
Chanel Bunger wraps up the conversation by expressing gratitude to Dr. Hannam for his insights into the evolving landscape of orthopedic care and ASCs. Dr. Hannam reciprocates the thanks, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the discussion.
Key Takeaways
- Outpatient Shift: The transition of orthopedic surgeries to ASCs is accelerated by COVID-19, offering better patient outcomes and reduced infection risks.
- Regulatory and Economic Barriers: ASCs face challenges in facility expansion due to regulations and lower federal reimbursement rates.
- Technological Integration: AI and robotic surgery are pivotal in enhancing operational efficiency and patient care within ASCs.
- Strategic Partnerships: Building nationwide alliances among independent orthopedic groups is crucial for sustained growth and competitiveness.
This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the current trends, challenges, and future directions in the orthopedic surgical landscape, emphasizing the importance of independence, technological adoption, and strategic collaborations.