Scott Becker is a partner in the healthcare department at McGuireWoods. He previously served on the Board of Partners of the firm and chaired the healthcare department for nearly 13 years.
Scott is the founder and publisher of Becker’s Hospital Review and Becker’s Healthcare.
He represents hospitals and health systems, healthcare companies, surgery center chains, large practices and private equity funds.
Scott is a Harvard law graduate and certified public accountant.
- Harvard Law SchoolJD1989
- University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignBSFinance and Accounting1986
Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Health Care Law, Woodward/White, Inc., 2007-2025
Selected for inclusion in “Legal 500 United States,” Healthcare: Advice to Service Providers, 2021, 2022, 2023; Healthcare: Service Providers, 2024
Selected for inclusion in America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Healthcare Law, Illinois, 2005, 2006, 2008-2011, 2013-2024; Healthcare: Regulatory & Litigation, Nationwide, 2015-2018; Healthcare: Transactional, Nationwide, 2015-2019, Chambers USA
Named to “Illinois Super Lawyers,” Health Care, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2005-2024
Named a “Healthcare Law Trailblazer,” The National Law Journal, 2019
Selected for inclusion as a “Leading Lawyer,” Healthcare: Service Providers, Legal 500 US, 2016
- Author, The Effects of COVID-19 on Private Equity in Healthcare – A Review of Selected Niche Investment Areas, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, February 5, 2021
- Author, State and Federal Policy Changes Impacting Healthcare Markets – Six Key Points, The Healthcare Investor, March 25, 2020
- Author, Private Equity in Healthcare – An Updated Review of Selected Niche Investment Areas, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, October 7, 2019
- Author, 15 Private Equity in Healthcare – An Updated Review of Selected Niche Investment Areas, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, March 29, 2018
- Contributor, Developing and Managing Ambulatory Surgery Centers, 2016
- Co-author, "Private Equity In Healthcare – A Review of 15 Niche Investment Areas," Becker's Hospital Review, April 11, 2016
- Co-author, "Selling equity in ambulatory surgery centers – An investigation of key legal concepts and certain equity sale models," Becker's ASC Review, August 13, 2015
- Co-author, "23 Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law and False Claims Issues and Thoughts," Becker's Hospital Review, May 26, 2015
- Co-author, "Legal Considerations When Selling Shares in an Ambulatory Surgery Center," EndoEconomics, Spring 2015
- Author, Healthcare Strategy 2015 — Back to the Basics: 12 Key Thoughts, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, January 13, 2015
- Author, Healthcare Strategy 2015 — Back to the Basics: 12 Key Thoughts, January 2015
- Co-author, 8 of the Most Interesting Things We Are Seeing in Healthcare, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, March 24, 2014
- Co-author, "8 of the Most Interesting Things We Are Seeing in Healthcare," Becker's Hospital Review, March 19, 2014
- Co-author, The Top Areas in Healthcare for Private Equity Investment in 2014, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, February 4, 2014
- Co-author, Ambulatory Surgery Centers: Legal and Regulatory Issues, American Health Lawyers Association, 2014
- Co-author, "Ancillary Services Consolidation: Keeping up With Hospital Mergers?," Becker's Hospital Review, September 2013
- Co-author, Physician Compensation: 10 Key Legal Considerations, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, August 22, 2013
- Co-author, "Physician Compensation: 10 Core Legal and Regulatory Concepts," Becker's Hospital Review, August 19, 2013
- Author, Key Reflections on the Healthcare Industry, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, April 23, 2013
- Author, 22 Advisory Opinions Issued by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), McGuireWoods Legal Alert, February 19, 2013
- Author, 10 Key Concepts from OIG’s Favorable Opinion on Co-Management Arrangements, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, January 28, 2013
- Co-author, 17 Healthcare Niches – Observations 2013, McGuireWoods White Paper, January 2013
- Author, FDA Commissioner Urges Congress to Expand FDA Authority to Regulate Compounding Pharmacies; GOP Demands Document Release, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 21, 2012
- Author, Three Benefits of Bypassing a Merger and Choosing Looser Affiliations, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 19, 2012
- Author, Three Key Arguments in Hospitals’ Challenge to Medicare Payment Denial Policy, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 19, 2012
- Author, Markey Compounding Bill: Key Features of the Proposed Verifying Authority and Legality in Drug Compounding Act of 2012, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 16, 2012
- Author, Class Action Filed Against Aspen Dental: Case Highlights Practice Management Issues, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 7, 2012
- Co-author, Investing in Dental Practice Management: Key Issues and Notable Transactions, McGuireWoods White Paper, November 2012
- Author, Three Important Takeaways from a Missouri Health System’s Agreement to Pay $9.3 Million for Alleged False Claims Act and Stark Law Violations, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 7, 2012
- Author, November 7 Comment Deadline for FDA’s Unique Device Identification Rules: Three Key Points, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 6, 2012
- Co-author, 8 Key Issues for Hospitals and Health Systems – 2013, McGuireWoods White Paper, November 2012
- Author, Another Attempt at a National Drug Track-and-Trace Proposal, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, October 29, 2012
- Co-author, Investing in Dental Practice Management, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, October 23, 2012
- Author, Two Key Points From DaVita’s Charges Against Illinois CON Board, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, October 4, 2012
- Author, FDA Layoffs and Extended Approval Times Anticipated if Budget Cuts Trigger Loss of User Fee Funds, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, September 21, 2012
- Author, The Mayo Clinic Announces Affiliation with NorthShore University HealthSystem, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, September 21, 2012
- Author, Noncompliant Leases, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, September 20, 2012
- Author, Impact of Healthcare Reform on Medical Device Companies; Three Core Points, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, September 18, 2012
- Author, Factors Contributing to Orthopedic Cases Moving to ASCs; Jury Remains out on Whether Hospital Employment Will Mitigate Such Factors, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, September 17, 2012
- Author, Wall Street Journal Reports on Antitrust Investigations of Hospital-Physician Transactions, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, September 14, 2012
- Co-author, Private Equity Investing in Healthcare – 13 Hot and 4 Cold Areas, McGuireWoods White Paper, August 2011
- Author, Agencies Release Proposed Rules On ACOs – 7 Key Components to Consider, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, April 2, 2011
- Co-author, Strategies for Hospital Leadership – Identifying Strengths, Allocating Hospital Resources and Focusing on Profitable Niche Leadership, McGuireWoods White Paper, February 2011
- Author, CMS Issues Stark Act Voluntary Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol – 9 Key Concepts, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, September 30, 2010
- Author, Healthcare Reform Bill Tries to Address Medicare Part D Coverage Gap Crisis, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, May 11, 2010
- Author, "Eleven Things to Know about the False Claims Act," February 23, 2010
- Co-author, Ambulatory Surgery Centers: Legal and Regulatory Issues, Fourth Edition, Publication of the American Health Lawyers Association, August 2009
- Author, FAQ on Advance Directives in Ambulatory Surgery Centers, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, May 27, 2009
- Author, Revised ASC Conditions of Coverage & Advance Directives, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, May 18, 2009
- Co-author, Ambulatory Surgery Center (“ASC”) Transactions, McGuireWoods White Paper, May 2009
- Author, Mandatory Disclosure of Physician Ownership in ASCs Required by the Medicare Conditions for Coverage Effective May 18, 2009, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, April 28, 2009
- Author, Physician/ASC Self-Referral Law Signed by New Jersey Governor, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, March 25, 2009
- Author, 11 Key Concepts from the Stark Law, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, March 4, 2009
- Author, OIG Issues Advisory Opinion Regarding a Proposed Arrangement under which a Corporation would Pay Two Part-Time Physicians to Perform Endoscopies, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, January 8, 2009
- Author, Will the Federal Government Shut Down Surgery Centers and Physician-Owned Hospitals?, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 24, 2008
- Co-author, "Effective Diligence in Healthcare Transactions," Financier Worldwide, September 2008
- Author, HIPAA Impact on Electronic Health Records, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, August 21, 2008
- Author, Electronic Health Records Donations: Tax Exempt Issues to Consider, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, August 18, 2008
- Author, Increased Interest in Electronic Health Records Donations under the Stark Act: Nine Issues to Consider, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, July 28, 2008
- Co-author, Is Block Leasing in Trouble?, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, July 22, 2008
- Co-author, "Is Block Leasing in Trouble," Becker’s ASC Review, July 21, 2008
- Co-author, "Highly Leveraged Investments in the US Health Care Sector," Financier Worldwide, July 2008
- Co-author, "Executive Summary: The Application of the Fraud and Abuse Laws and EMTALA to Physician-owned Hospitals," Physician Hospitals of America, March 2008
- Co-author, "Key Regulatory and Diligence Issues in Healthcare Real Estate Acquisitions," Health Care Law Monthly, February 2008
- Co-author, "Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Physician – Owned Hospital – What Causes the Political Chasm?," ASC Review, January 31, 2008
- Co-author, "Friendly Alliances Between Gastroenterologists and Hospitals," American Journal of Gastroenterology, November 2007
- Co-author, "Ambulatory Surgery Centers: CMS Update on Payment and Coverage," American Health Lawyers Association, October 2007
- Co-author, Stark III – Nine Areas of Concern, McGuireWoods White Paper, August 2007
- Co-author, "Hospital-Physician Integration Models: An Alternative to Joint Ventures," Health Care Law Monthly, June 2007
- Co-author, "Physician Owned Hospitals – The Best of Times and the Worst of Times," Physicians Hospital Association PULSE Magazine, March 2007
- Co-author, "Selling a Physician-Owned Hospital – 15 Key Concepts," Health Care Law Monthly, February 2007
- Co-author, "Your Top Legal Worries for 2007," Outpatient Surgery Magazine, January 2007
- Illinois
- Moderator, "Healthcare in the Next Decade: Perspectives from Innovative Health System CEOs," 2024 McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity and Finance Conference, May 9, 2024
- Moderator, "Ballooning Investments in Cardiology," 16th Annual Healthcare Finance and Growth Conference, September 28, 2023
- Moderator, "The Evolving Role of ASCs in the US Healthcare Market and Private Equity Deals," 19th Annual Healthcare Private Equity and Finance Conference, March 2, 2023
- Moderator, "Hospitals and Health Systems: Thriving Through Challenging Economic Times," 15th Annual Healthcare Finance and Growth Conference, September 15, 2022
- Moderator, "State of Healthcare Investing from the Fund Perspective," 18th Annual Healthcare Private Equity & Finance Conference, February 16, 2022
- Guest Speaker, "Analyzing Current Healthcare Trends & Their Relationship to Private Equity?," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, May 28, 2021
- Panelist, "The Evolution of Partnerships: Private Equity and Health Systems," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, October 7, 2020
- Host, "Healthcare Businesses After COVID-19," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, June 8, 2020
- Moderator, "State and Federal Policy Changes Impacting Healthcare Markets," 17th Annual Healthcare Private Equity & Finance Conference, February 19-20, 2020
- Moderator, 8th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Becker's Hospital Review, Chicago, IL, November 11-13, 2019
- Moderator, Becker’s ASC Review: 26th Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, Chicago, IL, October 24-26, 2019
- Panelist, "Policy and Affordable Care Act: Developments and Litigation in the Current Political Environment," 6th Annual Healthcare Litigation and Compliance Conference, May 21, 2019
- Moderator, Becker’s Hospital Review 2nd Annual Health IT + Clinical Leadership + Pharmacy Conference, Chicago, IL, May 2, 2019
- Panelist, "Healthcare Litigation Trends," Healthcare Litigation and Business Trends Program, April 10, 2019
- Moderator, Beckers Hospital Review 10th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, April 1-4, 2019
- Moderator, "A Multi-Specialty Practice Platform Success Story: An Introspective Look at DuPage Medical Group," 16th Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity and Finance Conference, February 20-21, 2019
- Moderator, "Healthcare Business Trends and Issues," Healthcare Litigation and Business Trends Program, October 10, 2018
- Speaker, "Hot Topics in Surgery Centers," 13th Annual Healthcare Finance and Growth Conference, September 25, 2018
- Speaker, Trends in Healthcare Litigation, April 3, 2018
- Speaker, Anti-Kickback and False Claims Issues in Healthcare Litigation 2018, February 26, 2018
- Moderator, "Key Healthcare Business & Market Trends & Opportunities," 15th Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity and Finance Conference, February 22, 2018
- Speaker, 2018 Anti-Kickback and Stark Act Issues, January 24, 2018
- Speaker, 25 Healthcare Business Rules, December 19, 2017
- Moderator, Business Strategy, Goals and Employee Engagement, December 13, 2017
- Moderator, "August 24, 2017 ," Healthcare Private Equity, Litigation and Regulatory — Today’s Most Pressing Legal Issues, McGuireWoods LLP Webinar, August 24, 2017
- Moderator, Business Strategies for Healthcare and Beyond, McGuireWoods LLP Webinar, August 15, 2017
- Moderator, Key Business and Legal Issues Facing Surgery Centers, McGuireWoods LLP Webinar, August 14, 2017
- Speaker, "Part One: Healthcare Litigation - Out of Network, False Claims Cases and Antitrust Issues," "Part Two: What to Expect With Regard to the ACA" and "Part Three: Key Trends in Anti-Kickback and Stark Enforcement" and "Part Four: Hospitals and Surgery Centers - 12 Thoughts for 2017," Healthcare Webinar Series, March 9 and 22, April 5 and 26, 2017
- Moderator, "The Ongoing Movement to Lower-Cost Settings for Care: How the ASC Industry and Others Have Driven and Responded to This Trend," 14th Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity and Finance Conference, February 23, 2017
- Speaker, "Part One - National Trends in Healthcare: Movement from Inpatient to Outpatient," "Part Two - 12 Thoughts on Strategy and Leadership" and "Part Three - 10 Thoughts on Surgery Centers in 2017," Healthcare Webinar Series, January 10 & 18; February 1, 2017
- Moderator, Becker’s Hospital Review 5th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, Chicago, IL, November 7-9, 2016
- Moderator, Fall Healthcare Litigation Update, November 2, 2016
- Moderator, Becker’s ASC 23rd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, Chicago, IL, October 27-28, 2016
- Speaker, Key Issues in Healthcare Litigation and Core Thoughts on Internal Investigations, September 29, 2016
- Speaker, Winners and Losers Under the Affordable Care Act, September 27, 2016
- Moderator, Becker’s Hospital Review 2nd Annual CIO/HIT + Revenue Cycle Conference, Chicago, IL, July 27-28, 2016
- Speaker, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and ASC Litigation, McGuireWoods LLP Teleconference, March 17, 2016
- Moderator, "Winners & Losers Under The ACA: What Industries Have Flourished, Which Have Suffered & Other Observations for Investors," 13th Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity and Finance Conference, February 24, 2016
- Speaker, Academic Medical Centers — Core Goals, Options and Trends in Mergers, Acquisitions and Affiliations, McGuireWoods LLP Healthcare Teleconference, January 26, 2016
- Speaker, Key Valuation Issues for Healthcare Leadership, McGuireWoods LLP Healthcare Teleconference, January 26, 2016
- Speaker, 17 Winners and Losers Under the Affordable Care Act, McGuireWoods Teleconference, December 15, 2015
- Speaker, Healthcare Litigation: False Claims, Antitrust and Commercial Issues, McGuireWoods Seminar, November 11, 2015
- Speaker, "False Claims, Commercial Litigation and More," Healthcare Litigation and Compliance: False Claims, Commercial Litigation and More, McGuireWoods LLP Healthcare Teleconference, November 11, 2015
- Speaker, 12 Things to Know About the Tuomey Case, McGuireWoods Teleconference, August 20, 2015
- Speaker, 15 Thoughts and Observations on Ambulatory Surgery Centers, July 22, 2015
- Moderator, "The Evolving Role of the CIO," "Key Thoughts on Improving Revenue Cycle 2015," "Mobile Health and the Healthcare Industry - Where Are We Now?," "EMR - Best Practices for After the Implementation," and "CIO Roundtable," Becker’s Hospital Review Annual CIO/HIT + Revenue Cycle Summit, Becker's Hospital Review, July 21, 2015
- Speaker, "What You Need to Know to Prepare for the Next Five Years," "What It Takes to Be a Thriving Orthopedic and Spine Practice Over the Next 5 Years," "The Future of Spine Surgery - The Next Five Years," "The Best Strategies for the Next 5 Years," "New Initiatives in Spine and Pain Management," and "23 Anti-Kickback, Stark and False Claims Issues," 13th Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference, June 11-13, 2015
- Speaker, 10 Key Anti-Kickback and Stark Act Issues in 2015, McGuireWoods LLP Healthcare Teleconference, May 21, 2015
- Moderator, The ACA and the Implications of King v. Burwell, McGuireWoods LLP Teleconference, March 11, 2015
- Speaker, Current Trends in Hospital Sales and Partnership Transactions, McGuireWoods LLP Healthcare Webinar, February 19, 2015
- Moderator, "The Evolution of Payor Perspectives: The Changing Role of Payors in the U.S. Healthcare System," 12th Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity and Finance Conference, February 17, 2015
- Moderator, "The CIO's Role - Intersection of IT, Business and Healthcare," Becker’s Hospital Review Annual Chief Information Officer Roundtable, November 4, 2014
- Speaker, Hospital and Health System Transactions – Key Considerations, Trends and Issues, McGuireWoods LLP Complimentary Webinar, April 22, 2014
- Speaker, "7 Key Stark, Antikickback and False Claims Concepts for Senior Leadership," Healthcare Litigation Conference, McGuireWoods LLP, April 8, 2014
- Speaker, 8 Key Trends in Healthcare False Claims and Antitrust Litigation, McGuireWoods LLP Webinar, March 12, 2014
- Speaker, Healthcare Private Equity Update and Overview of 19 Niche Sectors, McGuireWoods Complimentary Webinar, March 5, 2014
- Moderator, "Investor Spotlight: Key Issues & Hot Outpatient Sectors Right Now As Compared To Ten Years Ago — and What Will The Next Decade Bring?," 11th Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity and Finance Conference, McGuireWoods LLP and McGladrey LLP, February 25-26, 2014
- Speaker, "Emerging Topics Regarding Medicare/Medicaid," The Chicago Bar Association, May 22, 2013
- Speaker, "Sales, Joint Ventures, Specialties, Turnarounds and Other Key Issues," Ambulatory Surgical Center Trends, March 21, 2013
- Speaker, Seven Emerging Issues in Stark, Kickback and False Claims Cases, McGuireWoods Webinar, March 6, 2013
- Panelist, "Expanding Healthcare Business Lines," 9th Annual Healthcare & Life Sciences Private Equity & Finance Conference, McGuireWoods LLP and McGladrey LLP, February 22 - 23, 2012
- Speaker, "From Strategy to Transaction: How To Achieve the “Best” Deal for You and Your Physicians," Physician Strategies and Solutions Webcast Series, December 14, 2011
- Speaker, Hospital Tax-Exempt Status & Updates, June 23, 2011
- Speaker, Class Action Lawsuits Between Nurses & Hospitals, February 17, 2010
- Speaker, Accelerating Hospital-Physician Collaboration, March 13, 2009
- Speaker, Q&A with Dr. Brent Lambert on Turning Around Ambulatory Surgery Centers, February 19, 2009