U.S. Ambulatory Surgical Center Market Size, Share and Trends 2024 to 2033

U.S. Ambulatory Surgical Center Market Size and Forecast 2024 to 2033

The U.S. ambulatory surgical center market size is projected to be reach around USD 55.75 billion by 2033 from USD 41.13 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 3% from 2024 to 2033. The U.S. ambulatory surgical center market is driven by the surgery moving from hospitals to these facilities.

U.S. Ambulatory Surgical Center Market Key Takeaways

• By ownership, the physician only segment held 59.6% share of the market in 2023.
• By ownership, the hospital only segment is expected to expand at the fastest growth rate during the forecast period.
• By surgery type, the ophthalmology segment generated the highest market share of 23.6% in 2023.
• By surgery type, the orthopedic segment is expected to grow rapidly in the near future.
• By specialty type, the single specialty segment held a 59.4% share of the market in 2023.
• By specialty type, the multi-specialty segment is projected to expand rapidly in the coming years.
• By service, the treatment segment accounted for 72.8% of the market share in 2023.

Market Overview

Modern healthcare facilities specializing in same-day surgical care, including diagnostic and preventive procedures, are known as ambulatory surgery centers, or ASCs. Surgical operations can be performed more affordably in ASCs than in traditional hospital settings. Their reduced administrative expenses, streamlined operations, and concentrated approach are the reasons behind their cost efficiency. This frequently results in cheaper out-of-pocket costs for patients and less financial strain on the healthcare system. ASCs relieve hospitals of a considerable workload by performing a large percentage of outpatient surgery. This increases the efficiency of the healthcare system by allowing hospitals to concentrate on more difficult and urgent situations.

• In 2022, 18,577,953 orthopedic procedures were carried out in the US overall.

How AI is Used for Ambulatory Care?

With the integration of artificial intelligence, the ambulatory clinics are observed to offer evolved services for patients. The similar integration is seen to support under-resourced organizations that are focused on improving patient outcomes. The ambulatory surgical care centers, especially in advanced and well-established healthcare areas are seen adopting the advantages of artificial intelligence while integrating chatbots for patient engagement and services.

Additionally, generative AI in ambulatory care centers can customize large language models or data to support existing workflows. For instance, in July 2023, Google Cloud and Care Cloud started working together with the integration of generative AI to leverage the application of machine learning in order to help small and medium-sized healthcare providers.

U.S. Ambulatory Surgical Center Market Growth Factors

• ASCs are less expensive than traditional hospitals when it comes to surgery. This appeals to insurers and patients, propelling market expansion.
• The need for ASC services is fueled by the rising incidence of chronic illnesses, including obesity and heart disease, that need surgery.
• Growing expenditures in establishing new ASCs support the expansion of the market.
• Because ASCs offer minimally invasive procedures with shorter recovery times and more convenience, more patients are choosing them.
• Advances in medical technology enable ASCs to execute increasingly sophisticated procedures safely, broadening their services area.
• Due to favorable reimbursement regulations, ASC procedures are becoming more appealing for healthcare professionals.

Market Scope

Strict medicare certification requirements, which have been developed to guarantee patient safety and high-quality care, must be fulfilled by ASCs. For ASCs to get Medicare reimbursement, which makes up a sizable amount of their revenue, they must have this accreditation. To make ASCs financially viable for a broader range of surgical specialties, Medicare has progressively increased the list of procedures that qualify for reimbursement. ASCs now provide a wider range of specializations, including pain treatment, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, and standard outpatient operations. These days, many ASCs are multispecialty facilities that house a variety of treatments under one roof, improving patient convenience and healthcare provider efficiency.

• In April 2024, Cardiovascular Centers of America (CCA) is pleased to announce the opening of the Advanced Heart and Vascular Surgery Center (Advanced Cardiovascular), Florida's first Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), with Florida's first comprehensive cardiac ablation service line.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Lower costs for surgeries compared to hospital settings

ASCs' streamlined operations and lower overhead costs allow them to perform surgery at a lesser price than in traditional hospital settings. Unlike hospitals, which have numerous departments and services to oversee, ASCs are just concerned with doing outpatient surgery. Because of their specialty, they can work more productively, use their resources best, and bargain for affordable medical equipment and supplies.

Due to developments in medical technology, anesthetic methods, and post-operative care protocols, many surgical procedures formerly performed in hospitals can now be successfully carried out in ASCs. Because of this change, ASCs can now provide a broad range of operations in several specialties, such as pain management, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, and orthopedics. This drives for the growth of the U.S. ambulatory surgical center market.

• ASCs often provide high-quality care with low infection rates and good surgical outcomes

Convenience and patient comfort are top priorities in the design of ASCs. Patients appreciate shorter wait times, convenience in scheduling operations, and the opportunity to recuperate in familiar settings post-surgery. ASCs' outpatient format lowers the risk of hospital-acquired illnesses and enables patients to go home earlier, improving patient satisfaction in the long run.

Restraint

Rigorous federal and state regulations

ASCs are required to reduce risks related to medical errors, infection control, patient care, and liability issues. Adherence to regulatory requirements is crucial for reducing legal risks and upholding patient confidence. Strict adherence to clinical guidelines, personnel training, and risk management strategies are necessary.

Guidelines for surgical techniques, infection prevention, personnel ratios, emergency readiness, and equipment upkeep are all included. Spending on personnel training, infrastructure changes, and frequent audits is frequently necessary to comply with these standards. This limits the growth of the U.S. ambulatory surgical center market.

Opportunity

Growing trend towards outpatient care as medical technology advances

Due to comfort and convenience, patients are increasingly favoring outpatient surgical settings. ASCs frequently offer a more individualized experience, including fewer wait times, committed nursing care, and more efficient admissions and discharge procedures. This patient-centered approach to healthcare increases customers' pleasure and loyalty. Ambulatory surgical center frequently focus on specific surgeries or medical specialties, including pain management, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, and orthopedic surgery.

By focusing on treatments, ASCs can acquire specialized knowledge and invest in facilities and equipment, improving patient outcomes and operational effectiveness.

Ownership Insights

The physician only segment dominated the market in 2023, accounting for 59.6% of the market share. The segment growth is primarily attributed to the increasing number of surgeries performed in physician outpatient departments due to the rising concern about their impact on outcomes. Physician-owned ASCs offer personalized and quality care, thereby enhancing overall patient outcomes.

Physician-owned ASCs frequently offer comparable or superior care at a lesser cost, making them a competitive substitute for hospital outpatient departments. Payers and patients are drawn to this competitive advantage. These centers can attract top-tier surgical talent by providing physicians with ownership opportunities, thereby boosting the segment.

The hospital only segment is expected to expand at the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. Hospital-owned ASCs leverage the parent hospital’s investment, resources, and infrastructure. These ASCs provide seamless healthcare within the hospital network, improving patient experience. Improvements in minimally invasive surgical methods have increased the number of operations performed in hospital OPDs, thus boosting the segment.

Surgery Type Insights

The ophthalmology segment generated the highest market share of 23.6% in 2023. The segment growth is attributed to the rising demand for specialized eye care services among the population. Ophthalmology ASCs provide specialized eye care for various eye conditions. The easy availability and accessibility to advanced ophthalmic surgical technology in these ASCs enhance patient outcomes. Moreover, the increasing prevalence of eye conditions among the geriatric population and the rising number of ophthalmic surgeries are likely to contribute to the segment’s growth in the coming years. For instance.

• According to the USA statistics in ophthalmic surgery, more than 4 million cataract surgeries are performed annually in the U.S. With an aging population, the demand for these procedures is expected to increase by 3-4% annually, reaching approximately 6 million surgeries by 2030.

The orthopedic segment is expected to expand at the highest CAGR throughout the forecast period. The advent of minimally invasive surgical procedures has greatly changed the field of orthopedics. Compared to traditional open operations, these methods, such as arthroscopy and robotic-assisted surgeries, allow for smaller incisions, less pain, faster recovery periods, and a decreased chance of complications. Medical advancements in surgical equipment and orthopedic implants have improved orthopedic surgery results and precision. Moreover, the rising number of orthopedic procedures performed in ASCs drives the segment. For instance,

• According to data published by Definitive Healthcare, in 2021, 16.5% of knee replacement and 12.1% of hip replacement surgeries were performed in ASCs in the U.S.

Specialty Insights

The single specialty segment held a 59.4% share of the market in 2023. Single specialty ASCs focus on a particular medical specialty, such as pain treatment, orthopedics, gastroenterology, or ophthalmology. They provide specialized care and expertise, improving outcomes and increasing patient satisfaction. Due to targeted operations and effective scheduling, patients usually wait less for their procedures. Investors are drawn to single-specialty ASCs because of their steady income streams and lower operational risk than multi-specialty centers. The rising demand for specialized care further contributed to segmental growth.

The multi-specialty segment is anticipated to grow rapidly during the forecast period. Unlike single specialty ASCs, multi-specialty ASCs offer various services under a single roof, facilitating same-day surgical care. These ASCs are better equipped to provide high-quality care across various specializations because they frequently adopt new technologies. Examples of these technologies include robotic surgery, sophisticated imaging, and electronic health records (EHRs). These advancements facilitate the expansion of multi-specialty ASCs, shortening recovery periods, enhancing patient satisfaction, and improving surgical results.

Service Insights

The treatment segment accounted for 72.8% of the market share in 2023, owing to the increasing demand for specialized treatment services. However, ASCs provide personalized treatment plans to individual patients. The easy availability of advanced medical technology in these facilities and favorable reimbursement policies from private insurers further encourage individuals to choose ASCs for their treatment, thereby contributing to the segment’s growth.

Recent Developments

• In May 2024, in collaboration with Florida Renal Physicians (FKP), the state's biggest nephrology group, Panoramic Health, the premier integrated provider group for renal care, announced the grand opening of a new 10,000-square foot, five-operating room Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) in Tampa, Florida. With this strategic growth, Panoramic Health continues demonstrating its dedication to placing providers at the forefront of patient care delivery from initial office visits to the patient's bedside.
• In April 2024, A pioneering Los Angeles-metro independent surgery center that has established a national standard for minimally invasive spine and joint procedures, Marina Orthopedic & Spine Institute (MOSI) is the recipient of a $9.75 million investment from Commons Clinic, a leading value-based physician group reinventing musculoskeletal (MSK) care.

U.S. Ambulatory Surgical Center Market Companies

• Cerner Corporation
• Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc.
• McKesson Corporation
• Medical Information Technology Inc.
• Advanced Data Systems Corporation
• Surgical Information Systems
• NextGen Healthcare
• Philips Healthcare
• Epic Systems Corporation
• GE Healthcare

Segments Covered in the Report

By Ownership

• Physician Only
• Hospital Only
• Corporation Only
• Physician & Hospital
• Physician & Corporation
• Hospital & Corporation

By Surgery Type

• Ophthalmology
• Dental
• Endoscopy
• Orthopedic
• Otolaryngology
• Obstetrics / Gynecology
• Neurology
• Cardiovascular
• Plastic Surgery
• Podiatry
• Others

By Specialty Type

• Single specialty
• Multi-specialty

By Service

• Diagnosis
• Treatment