Article

How ASCs Revolutionize Modern Healthcare

December 3, 2024
Exterior building view of an ambulatory care center

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and physician practices bring unique and ongoing value to patients and the healthcare industry as a whole. 


Team of surgeons and statistical numbers

ASC VS. HOPD

Average reimbursements for procedures done at hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) are:

  • 58% more expensive than those at ASCs or a physician office¹.

Average cost of a cataract excision with removal of lens²:

  • ASC: $1,711, procedure without ECP
  • HOPD: $2,748
THE COST OF CONSOLIDATION³
How it’s affecting ASCs and physician practices in 2024:

  • 60%: Health systems that would consider a joint venture partnership with ASCs.
  • 54%: Increase in physicians employed by hospitals, health systems and other corporate entities in 2024, compared to 2012.
  • 46%: Increase in physician practices owned by those entities in 2024, compared to 2012.
  • 1,941: Number of ASCs under partnership by a national operator in 2023—up from approximately 1,339 centers in 2011.

STATE OF THE HEALTHCARE JOB MARKET
In May 2024⁴.

  • 1.63 million: Healthcare industry job openings.
  • 801,000: Healthcare labor force hires.
  • 39%: Percentage of physicians with side jobs⁵.
  • 7.4: Overall score out of 10 the nurse practitioner role received, making it the “best” healthcare job⁶.
PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS CRATE BARRIERS TO CARE⁷
  • 94%: Physicians who believe prior authorizations always, often or sometimes delay patients’ access to necessary care.
  • 19%Physicians who had prior authorization delays lead to a serious adverse event, causing patient hospitalization.  
ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON TRENDS BY THE NUMBERS
  • $378,250: Average salary for orthopedic surgeons—$40,000 more than the average salary for all other surgeons⁸. 
  • $661,923: Median salary for orthopedic surgeons working in hospital settings⁹.
  • 30%: Orthopedic surgery physician assistants experiencing at least one symptom of burnout.

GROWTH ON THE HORIZON¹⁰

  • 22%: Projected growth in procedure volumes over the next 10 years.
  • $43.1 billion: ASC market value in 2023.
  • 1.2+ billion: ASC patient volume in June 2023.
  • Endoscopy and ophthalmology: Top ASC specialties. 

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[1] “HOPDs charge up to 58% more than ASCs,” Becker’s ASC Review, September 2023.
[2] Procedure price lookup tool, Medicare.gov.
[3] “5 numbers on ASC consolidation,” Becker’s ASC Review, July 2024.
[4] “Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey News Release,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2024.
[5] “Infographic: Side Gigs That Tempt Doctors, and Why,” Medscape, October 2023.
[6] “Best Health Care Jobs,” U.S News & World Report, 2024.
[7] “2023 AMA prior authorization physician survey,” American Medical Association, 2024.
[8] “5 numbers orthopedic surgeons are watching,” Becker’s Orthopedic Review, August 2024.
[9] “Orthopedic Surgeon Salary by Region, Practice & Subspecialty,” Physicians Thrive, June 2024.
[10] “2023 United States Ambulatory Surgery Center Market Report,” ResearchAndMarkets, December 2023.  

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