ASCs continue to be concentrated in urban areas, with 93.8% located in cities, according to a March 13 MedPAC report to Congress.
Here are three key insights on where ASCs are concentrated — and where they’re seeing the most growth:
1. Rural access remains limited. While rural patients often travel to urban centers for ASC-based care, disparities persist. In 2023, only 8.6% of rural Medicare beneficiaries received care in an ASC, compared to 12.6% of urban beneficiaries.
2. Some states lead the way. ASC availability varies widely across states. Maryland tops the list with 35 ASCs per 100,000 Medicare Part B beneficiaries (including both fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage). Georgia follows with 24, and Wyoming and Arizona each have 17.
3. Others are falling behind. States with the fewest ASCs per 100,000 beneficiaries include Kentucky, the District of Columbia, West Virginia and Vermont — each with four or fewer.
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