Matt Searles, partner at Merritt Healthcare, discusses the big trends and opportunities in the ASC field today.
Mr. Searles will share his expertise as a speaker at the Becker's ASC 26th Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, Oct. 24-26, 2019 in Chicago. To learn more and register, click here. For more information about exhibitor and sponsor opportunities, contact Maura Jodoin at mjodoin@beckershealthcare.com.
Question: What are the most important trends you're seeing in the ASC field today?
Matt Searles: The big trends I'm seeing include tightening margins due to the outpaced growth of costs over reimbursements, increasing percentage of government payers and the need for scale caused by the transition to alternative payments models. I'm also seeing trends towards higher acuity cases in ASCs continue (cardiology, joints, etc).
Q: What are the key challenges keeping ASC administrators up at night?
MS: Compliance & safety should always be the top concern. Keeping up with regulations/requirements at both the federal and state levels has and will continue to be a challenge. Finally, integrating into the continuum of care in order to transition to alternative payments models.
Q: What are the top one or two solutions to the big challenges you're seeing for ASCs today?
MS: Partnership with strong strategic management teams or systems that can provide support and integration across the continuum of care.
Q: How do you see the ASC and outpatient surgery arena changing in the next 18 to 24 months? What is driving that change?
MS: Consolidation and alignment will continue as providers seek to strengthen their businesses in the face of the trends and challenges in the industry.
Q: Where is the best opportunity for ASCs to thrive in the future? What do they need to do today to set a solid foundation for success?
MS: Strong management, continued expansion into higher acuity cases and a focus in maintaining the same high quality/low cost services that have defined the ASC industry to date.