Hospitals and Health Systems Keep Expanding ASC Networks, Avanza + MedHQ Survey Finds

Results also show commercial payer pressure to shift care to outpatient settings is nearly universal

WESTCHESTER, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avanza + MedHQ, a leading provider of advisory, management, and administrative solutions to hospitals and health systems, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), outpatient care providers, and physicians throughout the United States, has released its 7th Hospital Leadership ASC Survey.

The Avanza + MedHQ Intelligence survey, available here, tracks how senior healthcare executives and clinical leaders view ASC ownership and investment. HealthLeaders Media again conducted the research on the company's behalf. Most respondents represent organizations with 500 or more licensed beds, and participants span all four U.S. regions.

Multi-site ASC networks are now standard among the organizations surveyed. Fifty-three percent of respondents have five or more ASCs, and 89% have at least one, including centers in development. Ninety-six percent plan continued ASC investment or affiliation, and 75% describe their planned pace as aggressive or moderate.

For the third consecutive edition, increasing outpatient surgical capacity was the most cited reason for owning or affiliating with an ASC. More than 90% report pressure from commercial payers to move services to the outpatient setting.

"As health systems grow from one ASC to several, the work shifts from opening centers to running them to the same standard for clinical operations, compliance, and payer contracting at every site," said Erik Miller, CEO of Avanza + MedHQ. "We provide that support without taking equity in any center, so leaders keep the control most survey participants say they want."

On ownership and physician relationships, the data show:

• Seventy-nine percent hold at least some of their ASCs as joint ventures with physicians.
• More than 9 in 10 want at least a 50% stake in their ASCs.
• Ninety-seven percent say having an ASC helps with surgeon recruitment, and 14% consider it a requirement for most candidates.

"Surgeons evaluating a position now ask about ASC access early, and many ask about investing in the center as well," said Steve Mason, President and COO of Avanza + MedHQ. "Hospitals that decide what surgeons can own before recruiting begins can answer those questions in the first conversation."

The report ranks key motivations behind hospitals' ASC strategies and shows which have gained or lost ground in recent editions. It also breaks down the barriers keeping some organizations without an ASC. Download it at medhq.com.

About Avanza + MedHQ

Avanza + MedHQ is a healthcare services organization providing management, advisory, and administrative solutions to ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, and healthcare systems nationwide. The company offers full-service ASC and physician practice management as well as standalone services in areas including revenue cycle management, human resources, and payer contracting. The organization also delivers independent development and advisory services, from site feasibility and transaction support to growth planning and optimization. Engagements are structured as non-equity partnerships, with providers retaining full ownership and governance of their organizations. Learn more at medhq.com.