What Is Driving ASC Growth in 2025?
Ambulatory surgery centers are on a strong growth trajectory — fueled by an aging population, new procedure approvals, regulatory changes, and technology adoption. Here's what's shaping the ASC landscape this year.
Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) have experienced remarkable growth over the past decade. Rising patient demand, advancements in surgical technology, and a shift toward cost-effective outpatient procedures are all contributing to that growth. With hospitals facing capacity challenges and patients seeking convenience, ASCs are positioned for a strong decade ahead.
Top Surgeries Leading the Way
Certain procedures have become dominant in ASCs due to their efficiency, lower costs, and improved patient outcomes:
- Orthopedic procedures — Knee and hip replacements continue to surge, driven by an aging population and improved, minimally invasive techniques.
- Cataract surgeries — A leading ASC procedure as more patients opt for outpatient settings.
- Gastroenterology — Colonoscopies and endoscopies are high-volume and cost-efficient.
- Plastic & reconstructive surgeries — Minimally invasive techniques and faster recovery make ASCs an appealing alternative to hospitals.
Innovations Transforming ASC Care
New technologies are accelerating ASC capability across specialties:
Robotics & AI-assisted surgery — Advanced systems like Intuitive’s Da Vinci 5 are enabling minimally invasive techniques and improving outcomes across a growing range of specialties.
Advanced anesthesia techniques — Researchers at MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a new anesthesia technique that automates propofol delivery based on brain activity, improving consistency and safety.
Inventory & preference card digitization — Platforms like PREFcards optimize surgical planning by standardizing preference cards, reducing manual tasks, lowering labor costs, and freeing staff to focus on patient care.
Telehealth & remote monitoring — More ASCs are integrating pre- and post-op virtual care to enhance patient experience and improve scheduling efficiency.
Regulatory Changes Opening the Door
Revised certificate of need (CON) laws have lowered barriers to opening new ASCs in many states, with pending legislation in North Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi. Medicare and Medicaid payment policy changes have also expanded the list of procedures approved for ASC reimbursement, including:
- 0717T — ADRC therapy for rotator cuff tear
- D7251 — Coronectomy (intentional partial tooth removal)
- D7471 — Removal of a lateral exostosis
The Growth Outlook
Americans aged 65 and older are projected to grow from 15% to 24% of the total U.S. population by 2060 — a demographic shift that will drive sustained demand for surgical services. The ASC market is expected to reach a 16.2% growth rate and a projected market value of $50.1 billion by 2027.
This growth brings implications across the healthcare ecosystem:
- Shifting surgical volume — more procedures migrating to ASCs may affect hospital OR utilization rates
- Collaborative models — hospitals and ASCs will explore new partnerships to enhance patient care and efficiency
- Competitive pressure — ASCs’ lower-cost, high-quality care may push hospitals to refine their surgical operations
For ASCs looking to capitalize on this growth, operational efficiency — including accurate, up-to-date preference cards — will be a key differentiator. Facilities that can reduce per-case supply costs and maintain consistent surgeon setups are better positioned to handle increased volume without proportional cost increases.
Book a demo to see how PREFcards can help your ASC scale efficiently.
Sources
- ASC Industry Overview, ASC Data by BH Sales Group, 2024
- Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 2024
- Orenstein, D. (2023). Anesthesia technology precisely controls unconsciousness in animal tests. MIT News.