From its potential for growth to colorectal cancer screening trends, here are five things for ASCs to know about GI:
1. It's the fastest-growing ASC specialty. Gastroenterology will have the greatest growth in the ASC marketplace over the next eight years, according to a Future Market Insights report. Multispecialty centers are expected to grow the fastest. Their estimated value in the next eight years is over $77 billion.
2. Private equity in the space is expected to surge. After three major deals took place in 2018, experts are predicting GI-focused PE investment will increase in 2019.
3. Price transparency is coming to the forefront. Many ASCs are choosing to post their prices online as patients seek more affordable care. Additionally, CMS created a price lookup tool that showed CMS pays ASCs $359 less for colonoscopies than it pays hospital outpatient departments.
4. Consolidation may affect GI. Consolidation and the development of narrow networks may affect GI physicians' referral base. However, self-pay may be an option for GIs moving forward.
5. Younger patients are getting screened for colon cancer. With the American Cancer Society lowering the recommended CRC screening age to 45, more young people may get screened earlier than before.