FTC requires Ascension to divest surgery centers in $3.9B AmSurg deal

The Federal Trade Commission mandated Ascension divest two ambulatory surgery centers in Michigan and one in Indiana as a condition of its $3.9 billion acquisition of AmSurg. The consent order aims to preserve competition in those local markets. The deal, which combines Ascension's 140-hospital system with AmSurg's 250-plus surgery centers, will reshape outpatient surgical service networks. For independent practices, this consolidation may alter local referral patterns and contracting leverage with the newly enlarged entity. No immediate billing changes are required, but monitor for network announcements.