What are the critical dynamics that are influencing the development of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) right now?
There are two major dynamics at work currently. The first is often called “consumerism,” a trend spurred by the baby boomer generation. These healthcare consumers are affluent, educated, aggressive buyers; they are more connected and more demanding than any other consumer group we’ve experienced. They want lower-cost healthcare, greater convenience and better outcomes — all the things that savvy consumers demand, they are demanding in healthcare. As a result, the whole stage gets set for physicians and healthcare providers to meet these needs in the ambulatory setting. The second dynamic involves reimbursement to physicians. Reimbursement has either been stagnant or decreased, and physicians are looking at ways to augment their income — or at least hold onto it. These two factors account for why we are seeing a huge explosion in the industry right now. Q: Is the current medical malpractice crisis impacting the outpatient surgery industry? A: When you look at a physician’s revenue you
