To help offset revenue losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals have implemented pay cuts for staff, including physicians.

Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, is temporarily suspending construction of its six-story spine and orthopedic tower, according to a press release published by KCBD.

From reimbursement landscape challenges to dwindling patient volumes, many factors lead hospitals to shut down or file for bankruptcy. At least 42 hospitals across the U.S. have closed or entered bankruptcy this year, and the financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may force more hospitals to do the same in coming months. 

Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine opened six orthopedic urgent care clinics in Pennsylvania, according to a June 19 announcement.

Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network recently held a topping off ceremony for a 106,000-square-foot hospital that will feature a spine and joint center, tnonline.com reports.

Three orthopedic and spine surgeons participated in a panel titled "The Future of Practice, Bundled Payments, Out-of-Network, Venture Capital, Hospital Partnerships and More" on June 18 as part of the Becker's Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + the Future of Spine virtual event.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill June 17 that will expand the types of telemedicine services covered under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, Bloomberg reports. 

The Joint Commission on June 17 outlined some of the hospital requirements it will assess during normal survey processes, which resumed this month.

Looming cuts to Medicare reimbursement could be the final straw for private practice surgeons already in financial straits, according to the Surgical Care Coalition, a group of 12 industry organizations opposing the planned cuts.

COVID-19 has ushered in long-lasting changes in healthcare, according to Benjamin Domb, MD, founder and medical director of the American Hip Institute & Orthopedic Specialists in Des Plaines, Ill.

Medscape released its 2020 "Best & Worst Places to Practice" list, examining compensation, practice conditions and quality of life across the U.S.

Indianapolis-based OrthoIndy has implemented the Saykara mobile AI assistant to facilitate EHR documentation, Valdosta Daily Times reports.

How to Effectively and Profitably Move Spine into Your ASC

New York ASCs have received updated guidance on reopening for nonessential elective surgeries and non-urgent procedures from the state health department.

The World Health Organization has pulled malaria drug hydroxychloroquine from its global study assessing possible treatments for COVID-19, according to a June 17 CNBC report.

Here are two hospitals that are expanding or planning to expand spine programs this month:

Telehealth became a necessary tool for health systems and patients across the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic to access needed healthcare remotely.

Four spine practices expanding services or opening new locations this month:

Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker, Colo., will open an 11,000-square-foot facility expanding spine and orthopedic services July 8, The Business Times reports.

Over the past four weeks, Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Orange County, Calif., has steadily ramped up to nearly normal inpatient volumes, according to Michael Gordon, MD, a spine surgeon who shared his thoughts with Becker's Spine Review.