Helping Factors
· Increasing case migration to ASCs, especially in pain management, spine and total joint replacement.
· Equivalent or superior quality outcomes for most cases.
· Low infection rates.
· Word-of-mouth referrals.
· Operations flexibility and ability to adapt quickly to changing times.
· Lower prices and quality transparency in an era of high-deductible plans.
Hindering Factors
· Retiring surgeons and providers, and uncertainty over whether younger surgeons will invest in ASCs.
· High education debt levels among younger surgeons, preventing equity buy-ins.
· Health system consolidation, which may monopolize all available niches on local levels.
· Overseas medical tourism in patients whose first priority is price.
There are several factors that will have an unknown impact on ASCs, according to the post, including the long-term influence of insurance exchanges, accountable care organizations and high-deductible plans.
