Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: Episode with Jennifer Friend, CEO of Friend Surgical Solutions

Release Date: July 27, 2025

Introduction and Background

In this engaging episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, host Laura Dardo welcomes Jennifer Friend, the Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Friend Surgical Solutions. Jennifer provides an insightful introduction to her role and the mission of her company.

“Friend Surgical Solutions is a consultant and medical billing group... I help providers with any licensure needs, any concerns, compliance, all of those tedious tasks on the business end of healthcare, so that way they can focus on the operations and keeping things going.”
— Jennifer Friend [00:28]

Jennifer holds a master’s degree from George Washington University and a bachelor's degree in political science. She emphasizes how her background in political science has been instrumental in understanding the complexities of government operations, particularly in relation to Medicare and Medicaid.

“Knowing how the government works, how the government operates is very helpful in understanding Medicare and Medicare, Medicaid, CMS, HHS... and how it ties into our practice in healthcare.”
— Jennifer Friend [00:57]

Top Three Trends in Healthcare and ASCs

Jennifer delves into the current trends shaping the landscape of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs):

1. Growth of Procedures Moving to ASCs:

   • There is a noticeable shift of more procedures from traditional hospitals to ASCs, driven by the ability to handle these procedures effectively within the ASC setting.

2. Expansion into Office-Based Surgery Settings:

   • Procedures are increasingly being performed in office-based settings with monitored anesthesia care, allowing for lighter anesthesia coverage. This move helps alleviate some of the burdens on surgical centers by enabling more flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

3. Private Equity Involvement:

   • Despite a recent downturn in private equity interest, Jennifer anticipates a resurgence as players seek to re-enter the market. However, there is a prevailing sense of hesitation among stakeholders due to ongoing changes in the healthcare sector.

“With Medicare potentially cutting some rates, where can we make sure we're providing the most cost savings to make sure that the ASC is operating efficiently and effectively.”
— Jennifer Friend [03:14]

Exciting Developments and Key Considerations for ASC Owners

Jennifer highlights several exciting developments and strategic considerations for those operating surgery centers:

• Cost Efficiency:
  Understanding and managing operating costs is paramount. Jennifer urges physician owners to scrutinize their expenses to eliminate unnecessary spending, especially in light of potential Medicare rate cuts.

  “Do they really know what their operating costs are? Do they know how much it costs them to do that or are there ways to trim spending so therefore there's not much fat on it.”
  — Jennifer Friend [03:58]

• Emerging Procedures:
  There is growing excitement around expanding the range of procedures performed in ASCs, particularly in spine, orthopedic, and cardiac areas. This expansion outside of traditional hospital settings is opening new avenues for patient care and surgical efficiency.

• Artificial Intelligence Integration:
  AI is poised to revolutionize administrative and operational aspects of ASCs. From assisting in writing operative reports to managing inventory, AI can help reduce administrative burdens, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on patient care.

  “AI can help do some of that or help keep inventory, going back to cost-saving measures, if AI can help with either of those.”
  — Jennifer Friend [05:35]

Growth Outlook for the Next 12 Months

When discussing the future, Jennifer presents a nuanced perspective on growth prospects:

• Municipal vs. Rural Areas:

  • ASCs in municipal areas, particularly in regions like Tampa Bay, are expected to continue growing due to high demand and widespread availability.
  • Conversely, rural areas face challenges such as Medicaid cuts, which may lead to negative growth and reduced access to care. The resulting gap could force patients to travel longer distances for essential services.

  “Rural areas are going to be hit the hardest... If they lose those, those access points, you're going to be traveling longer and longer distances to get basic care that everyone should have.”
  — Jennifer Friend [05:56]

Adaptation and Strategic Shifts by Providers

As the healthcare environment evolves, providers and surgery centers are adapting their strategies to sustain and enhance their operations:

• Diversifying Revenue Streams:
  Providers are exploring additional sources of revenue beyond traditional health insurance and government programs. This includes accepting workers' compensation and other patient payment models.

• Concierge Practices:
  While concierge models are becoming more prevalent in traditional medical practices, their adoption in ASCs remains limited due to the operational complexities and costs associated with running a fully equipped surgery center.

  “I've gone to complete concierge type practice... I haven't seen that in the ASC setting yet because I think it would be hard to make sure that you have with the cost of running an ASC...”
  — Jennifer Friend [08:42]

Conclusion

The conversation concludes with mutual appreciation, highlighting the depth and relevance of the topics discussed. Jennifer Friend’s insights offer valuable perspectives for ASC owners and healthcare professionals navigating the dynamic landscape of ambulatory surgery centers.

“This has been such a formative conversation and I look forward to connecting with you again soon.”
— Laura Dardo [08:51]

Key Takeaways:

• Operational Efficiency: ASC owners must prioritize understanding and managing their operating costs to navigate potential reimbursement cuts effectively.

• Technological Integration: Embracing AI and other technologies can streamline administrative tasks, enhance inventory management, and improve patient care.

• Strategic Expansion: Expanding the range of procedures and exploring office-based surgery settings can drive growth and increase the sustainability of ASCs.

• Adaptation to Market Changes: Diversifying revenue streams and considering alternative practice models, such as concierge services, can help ASCs remain resilient amidst industry shifts.

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, offering actionable insights for healthcare decision-makers.