The migration of cases from acute care settings to ASCs is changing the way medical device companies approach implant contracting, according to Relatable Healthcare.
Historically, ASCs have negotiated cost or cost-plus payer contracts on implants, while representing a small portion of business for device companies. However, those opportunities may not always be available, and ASCs typically receive a lower reimbursement rate than hospital settings.
Relatable Healthcare predicts medical device companies will seek the following alignment with surgeons and ASC management organizations:
1. Facility price agreements will be traded for regional contracts with management companies.
2. High-volume and high-compliance contracts across multiple facilities will become more common.
3. Inventory will be streamlined and optimized.
4. Facilities will rely on just one to two implant suppliers rather than an unlimited number.
5. Acute care service models will be replaced by reduced service models with self-sufficient staff.