Health systems should invest in new or existing ASCs rather than competing with them for surgical revenue, according to Celeste Weise of Manage Resource Group.
Ms. Weise said health systems should "follow the money" for five reasons:
1. ASCs' high patient volumes and lower operational costs offset revenue lost due to lower hospital patient volumes.
2. Private payers and CMS have hiked reimbursement rates for ASC procedures.
3. Physicians seek employment or ownership in ASCs.
4. ASC outpatient procedure volumes have grown 23 percent in the past few years and are expected to grow an additional 16 percent through 2026.
5. By investing, health systems can help ASCs improve their clinical quality and brand recognition.