A recent article in Becker’s ASC Review outlines expected inpatient-to-outpatient shifts within key specialties and overall industry growth among predictions and key trends for outpatient surgery and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). The article points to several drivers of change in the industry, including policy shifts, new technologies, and innovative approaches to healthcare payment, while forecasting continued industry evolution through 2027.
“New developments like HOPD to ASC conversions, and advances that make it increasingly possible to move procedures to lower cost sites of care – like better anesthesia and implant design – are creating dramatic change in the marketplace,” says Regent’s Chief Executive Officer Chris Bishop. “And it’s all happening in sync with a push by healthcare payers and patients for acceptance of value-based care. The time is now for hospitals to embrace ambulatory strategies, and for ASC operators to seize the day.”
- Overall Growth in Outpatient Volume — U.S. outpatient volumes are expected to grow 15 percent over the next ten years with the shift to value-based care. Outpatient surgery is expected to see an overall 11 percent increase from 2017 to 2022.
- Key Specialties Shifting — Spine surgeries including spinal fusions will be increasingly outpatient, with orthopedics and spine expected to grow 35 percent overall in the outpatient setting. A shift in gynecology procedures such as hysterectomies to the outpatient setting is accelerating, while inpatient gynecology is expected to drop 28 percent in the next decade.
- Health Systems Build Ambulatory Platforms — Renewed interest is anticipated in ASCs on the heels of CMS’ removal of high-revenue procedures like knee replacements from the inpatient-only list.
- ASC Market Growth – ASCs are expected to grow at a 4 percent compound annual growth rate from 2017 to 2027 as the hospital-based ASC segment reaches $69.7 billion by 2027 and multispecialty ASCs reach $76.8 billion.
- Outpatient Surgical Procedures Gaining — In the 50 largest markets, 35.8 million outpatient procedures occur in hospital-based outpatient departments and ASCs annually. GI procedures grew 19.4 percent from 2015 to 2016, while eye procedures jumped 2.8 percent.
Want to know more? Read the full Becker’s article here, or contact Thomas Crossen at Regent Surgical Health for help leveraging these trends in your health system or ASC.
