From bundled payments to value-based care, here are the top five ASC trends to watch this year, according to ASC management platform developer Simplify ASC.
1. Bundled payments. These are the fastest growing payment type, yet many ASCs are slow to adopt them. ASCs should get to work on case costing, benchmarking surgical performance and overhauling the claims management process if necessary.
2. Outpatient total joint replacements. The number of total joint replacements performed in ASCs is expected to grow 73 percent by 2026. Staying on top of this trend will require ASCs to select patients suited for the procedure and coordinate with payers to set up reimbursement.
3. Price transparency. The rise of high-deductible plans means patients are comparing costs for procedures. ASCs that post prices online can stay ahead of the competition by offering lower prices.
4. Consolidation. With more than 6,000 ASCs across the U.S., ASC acquisition and consolidation are on the rise. If an ASC wants to partner with an ASC chain, improving business and clinical operations can make it a prime target.
5. Value-based care. The shift to value-based care envelops all other ASC trends, including the increase in outpatient total joint replacements and bundled payments. With Medicare expanding device-intensive procedures, effective supply chain management can help ASCs make the shift to value-based care.