A Research and Markets report analyzed the U.S. ASC market, finding centers earned $26 billion in 2016.
Here's what you should know:
1. Research and Markets believes there are 6,150 ASCs nationwide. Of the ASCs, 57 percent are independent/physician owned, 22 percent are corporate/for-profit and 21 percent are hospital-owned/nonprofit.
2. Analysts believe corporate ASC companies are taking control of the market, citing a 43 percent increase from 2010 to 2015 in ASC company-owned facilities.
3. The reduced cost of performing procedures in ASCs saves patients up to $5 billion annually, analysts report. The savings the government reaps from Medicare and commercial payers having procedures performed in ASCs are at $18.7 billion and $12.4 billion respectively.
The government reaps savings to the tune of $18.7 billion annually when Medicare-insured patients undergo procedures at an ASC. Similarly, the government saves $12.4 billion when commercially insured patients receive surgical treatment at an outpatient center.
4. Analysts believe by 2020, 60 percent of all eligible procedures will be performed in the outpatient space.
5. Concerning physician specialties, 25 percent of all gastroenterology cases are performed in ASCs, but cataract surgery is the most common procedure in an ASC.
6. Orthopedics, ENT and urology remain the most profitable ASC procedures.