The ASC industry is expected to see significant growth in volume over the next decade, with more procedures moving from hospital outpatient towards ASCs.
Access to safe and efficient surgical care is fundamental, and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have made surgical procedures available to a vast majority of our nation's communities for over 50 years. Beyond their geographical access, ASCs have also helped improve financial access to procedures for patients who may otherwise not be able to afford extended stays at hospitals in their area.
Surgery centers are continually evolving, adding more procedures to the outpatient setting and becoming more efficient. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported that the number of ASCs has grown from 6,109 last year to 6,223 this year. And there’s more growth on the way: According to Sg2’s annual report, the ASC industry is expected to see significant growth in volume over the next decade.
As we approach the end of National ASC Month, let’s look at a few highlights from the 2023 Impact of Change Forecast.
Top Shifting Procedures
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- Total Joint Replacement
- Lumbar/Thoracic Spinal Fusion
- Revision Knee Replacement
- Prostatectomy
- Cervical Spinal Fusion
- Cholecystectomy
- Bariatric Surgery
Sources: Impact of Change®, 2023; Proprietary Sg2 All-Payer Claims Data Set, 2021; The following 2021 CMS Limited Data Sets (LDS): Carrier, Denominator, Home Health Agency, Hospice, Outpatient, Skilled Nursing Facility; Claritas Pop-Facts®, 2023; Sg2 Analytics, 2023.
Procedures likely to move from Hospital Outpatient to ASCs
The 2023 Impact Change Forecast calls out likely procedures to shift to ASCS between now and 2033. They indicate high shift potential for Upper GI Endoscopy, Hammertoe, and First Ray (Foot) procedures and medium shift potential for Colonoscopy, Neurostimulator, Rotator Cuff Repair, and Lumpectomy/Mastectomy procedures.
Sources: Impact of Change®, 2023; Proprietary Sg2 All-Payer Claims Data Set, 2021; The following 2021 CMS Limited Data Sets (LDS): Carrier, Denominator, Home Health Agency, Hospice, Outpatient, Skilled Nursing Facility; Claritas Pop-Facts®, 2023; Sg2 Analytics, 2023.
Looking Towards the Future
Over the next decade, the 2023 Impact of Change Forecast reports that ASCs can expect to see 22% growth by 2033. In addition, outpatient surgical volume and outpatient cardiovascular procedures will both see a high growth pattern of 18% by 2033.
As outpatient growth trends upward, we urge ASC physicians, nurses, staff, and supporters to continue raising awareness of the benefits surgery centers deliver to their communities and the healthcare system as a whole. You can find additional resources for how to stay involved in National ASC Month here, including pre-templated congressional letters, facility tour kits, industry expert webinar panels, and more.
