Within the next decade, ASCs will continue to evolve and expand, fueled by factors including advanced technology, case migration and consolidation.
ASCs will continue to integrate and make their place within the broader healthcare industry, improving the experience for physicians, nurses and patients, according to industry leaders.
Two executives recently connected with Becker’s to share what they think the ASC space will look like 10 years down the road.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What will the ASC industry look like 10 years from now?
Steven Seeley, MSN. Senior Vice President, COO and Chief Nursing Officer of Jupiter (Fla.) Medical Center: Over the next 10 years, the ASC model of care will continue to grow and expand in what they do, driven by improvements in technology, surgical practices and of course reimbursement changes. More and more procedures are likely to only be covered in the ASC settings, especially with commercial insurance and consumers will be looking for ways to reduce their costs as out-of-pocket expenses are likely to continue to shift to the patient. Staffing challenges with physicians and nurses in particular, will lead to reduced capacity in acute care settings, diverting procedures to less labor intensive settings such as an ASC, which can be more attractive for care providers having no weekend, call or holidays to cover. Physicians will shift procedures to ASCs where they are investors more and more to offset reductions, or modest increases in reimbursements by payers. ASCs likely will shift to more specialty specific centers such as orthopedics, cardiac care and robotics. More centers may even adopt overnight stays to broaden the base of patients in the centers.
Robin Yeager, RN, BSN. COO of Advanced Ambulatory Surgery Center (Altamonte Springs, Fla.): In the next decade, I see the ASC industry becoming a cornerstone of surgical care delivery, driven by innovation, payer strategy and patient expectations. Here’s what I anticipate:
1. Higher-Acuity Case Migration: Advances in surgical techniques and anesthesia will enable even more complex procedures such as spine, cardiac and total joint replacements to shift safely to ASCs. This migration will be fueled by both clinical capability and payer incentives.
2. Deeper Integration of Technology: Artificial intelligence and machine learning will streamline everything from case scheduling and inventory management to clinical decision support. ASCs will adopt more robust EHR systems and embrace data analytics to improve efficiency and outcomes.
3. Value-Based Care Becomes Standard: We’ll see broader adoption of bundled payments and outcome-based contracts. ASCs will need to demonstrate not just cost savings, but long-term patient value — pushing centers to invest more in post-op follow-up and quality tracking.
4. Consolidation Accelerates: The number of independently owned ASCs will shrink as private equity firms, health systems and management companies expand their footprint. Scale will be key for negotiating contracts, investing in technology and recruiting staff.
5. Focus on Patient Experience: As healthcare becomes more consumer-driven, ASCs will differentiate through experience by offering seamless digital tools, shorter wait times and hospitality-inspired service. Patient satisfaction will be a true competitive edge.
6. Workforce Redefined: Staffing challenges will remain a top issue. Successful ASCs will innovate with flexible schedules, cross-training and potentially even robotic support to reduce strain on human capital.
ASCs in 2035 will be smarter, more specialized and deeply integrated into the broader healthcare continuum — offering high-quality care at lower cost in a setting that meets modern patient expectations.
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