From June 2016 to June 2017, most states added one or two ASCs; however, three states added in the double digits.
According to data provided by CMS, California, Texas and Georgia all reported double-digit growth in the number of Medicare-certified ASCs over the past year:
• California added 26 centers
• Texas added 13 centers
• Georgia added 12 centers
While these three states experienced great gains, other states reported the number of ASCs decreased over the same time period. Tennessee, Oregon and South Carolina reported the largest deficits, having four to six fewer ASCs by June 2017 than they did in June 2016.
Several factors contribute to whether states add or lose centers, including competition in mature markets, consolidation and loosening of certificate-of-need laws. There is also a trend toward outpatient surgery nationwide, as ASCs provide a high-quality, low-cost site of service.