Shifts in case mix bode well for future of outpatient surgery

Before COVID-19 emerged as the biggest disruptor of 2020, many ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) had been growing volume and receiving Medicare reimbursements for an increasing number of procedures. Stopping elective procedures in the spring was a significant setback, especially for smaller, independent facilities, notes a Global Healthcare Advisors (GHA) brief, and resuming surgical patient care has been challenging. However, “there is an expectation of pent-up patient demand that could allow ASCs with the right cost management, business mix, and geographic diversity to quickly recoup lost volumes,” notes GHA.