The last several years have been an outstanding time for surgery
centers. There has been explosive growth in the overall industry and in
the number of surgery centers. There have also been a great number of
developments that have been extremely positive for the surgery center
business. Now, for the first time in several years, the surgery center
industry faces several different challenges, including changes in
reimbursement, reductions in the number of independent physicians
available to engage in surgery center ventures, and changes in rules
relating to how to work with managed care payors.
This article
discusses six different items. First it reviews which areas are
providing cash flow to surgery centers today, essentially reviewing
today’s bread winners and cash cows. Second, it looks at the types of
surgery centers that are likely to be bread winners tomorrow, where
surgery centers may excel in the next few years. Third, it examines
problematic situations for surgery centers, essentially which areas are
difficult and challenging for surgery centers. Fourth, it looks at
areas that are potentially positive for the next few years. Fifth, it
discusses situations where we expect there to be growth in the surgery
center business. Finally, sixth, this article examines certain
weaknesses and challenges that the surgery center industry is facing.
Here, it also touches on problem centers and issues that are
symptomatic of such centers.
