MedPAC's 2019 commission report to Congress outlined data on ASC characteristics, including which specialties experienced growth.
The key details to know:
1. Pain management ASCs grew most rapidly during the period covered by the report between 2015 and 2017. In 2017, there were 100 more pain management ASCs billing Medicare than in 2015.
2. Changing technology and clinical practices are contributing to the expansion of the types of procedures performed in ASCs. As this trend continues, more knee and hip arthroplasty procedures may be done in ASCs.
3. ASCs are more convenient for patients than hospital outpatient departments, according to MedPAC. Additionally, patients' coinsurance is lower in ASCs than HOPDs for procedures covered on the ASC payment system.
4. Value-based care and ASCs' low-cost settings make ASCs appealing investments for private equity firms and hospital systems.