Gastroenterology continues to be a leading driver of ASC volume, with endoscopy and colonoscopy at the forefront, according to data from HST Pathways.
Here are five things to know about GI ASCs:
1. OR block utilization for GI rose from 54% in 2023 to 58% in 2024. Gastroenterology centers consistently lead other specialties in block utilization, making throughput a key factor in profitability.
2. Net revenue per case increased from $1,339 to $1,420. At the same time, claim denial rates climbed from 7% to 10%, underscoring ongoing reimbursement challenges. Billing efficiency improved, with average days to bill dropping from six to five.
3. Deposit collection rates improved from 65% to 69%, showing more patients are paying upfront. However, partial collections remain an obstacle, highlighting the need for accurate cost estimates and strong pre-procedure financial counseling.
4. GI case cancellation rates held steady at about 22%. Nearly half (46%) were due to patient decisions, while 20% came from provider cancellations.
5. Case volume increased 19%, rising from an average of 349 cases in 2023 to 416 in 2024.
