Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1539853
19 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP The ASC boom is just beginning By Patsy Newitt F rom expanding procedure capabilities to evolving payment models, five ASC leaders spoke with Becker's about the trends, innovations and clinical advancements they believe will shape the next era of outpatient surgery. Question: What excites you most about the future of ASCs? Editor's note: Responses were edited lightly for clarity and length. Michael Cournyea. CEO of University at Buffalo (N.Y.) Neurosurgery: What excites us most about the future of ASCs are the potential cases that will be moved to ASCs within the next five years or so. ese include endovascular procedures for stroke, craniotomies for tumor removal, radiosurgery for cancer and interventional cardiology, to name a few of our top. In addition to this, we are excited to see lumbar fusion codes 22630 and 22633 on the ASC CMS feed schedule for 2026. We are already performing 22630 and 22633 with our commercial insurance and managed medicare lines of business. It will be nice to see these procedures become available for our Medicare and Medicaid patients in 2026 due to the addition of these codes. Vadim Coz, MD. Spine Surgeon at Reno (Nev.) Orthopedic Clinic: I believe ASCs will play a central role in the future of spine care delivery. Advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques now allow many patients to safely undergo 1-2 level lumbar fusions in an outpatient setting, with same-day discharge. is clinical progress aligns with a shiing reimbursement landscape, in which hospital systems are increasingly incentivized to utilize the lowest-cost setting where surgery can be performed safely. e combination of these trends—the evolution of minimally invasive spine procedures and the financial implications of programs like Medicare's TEAM pilot — will inevitably drive a greater volume of spine surgeries from traditional hospital settings to ASCs. Hospital systems with partial ownership in an ASC will be best positioned to capitalize on this transition. Tracy Helmer, BSN, RN. Administrator of Tri City Cardiology Surgical Center (Mesa, Ariz.): ASCs find themselves at a crossroads so commonly, because they are blazing new pathways for patient care that radiates efficiency, innovation and forward-thinking. e ASC environment has been the driving force behind bringing some of the best technology, such as minimally invasive techniques, pain management and advanced recovery models. Bonnie Greenblatt. Director of Ambulatory Surgical Services at the Michigan Institute of Urology (Utica): ASCs have always led the way in innovation, efficiency and patient-centered care. As technology advances and healthcare delivery shis toward value and convenience, ASCs are uniquely positioned to lead the way — offering high quality outcomes, lower costs and a better experience for both patients and providers. Josh Troast, MSN. Director of Ambulatory Surgical Services at Muskegon (Mich.) Surgical Associates: ree themes come to mind regarding what excites me about ASC future: 1. e patient experience is improved due to the ease of navigation and the perception of a more relaxed surgical encounter. 2. Physician ownership and engagement. I work in a physician-owned ASC and the ASC affords the physicians a chance to engage in the operations of the surgical environment that they and their patients access. Additionally, physician ownership is an investment that supplements physician compensation, thus building a revenue stream to enable private practice viability. 3. Financial benefits to the patient. Health insurance costs continue to grow at a significant pace with increasingly higher patient responsibilities to fund the costs. With the lower cost option of an ASC, the financial strains can be reduced. n The needle-moving breakthroughs shaping ASCs By Patsy Newitt A SCs are undergoing rapid transformation as technology, policy and clinical innovation converge to expand what procedures can safely and efficiently be performed in outpatient settings. Two leaders joined Becker's to discuss the advancements they see as most influential Editor's note: These answers were edited lightly for clarity and flow. Question: What advancements — whether in technology, clinical practice, or operations — are moving the needle most for outpatient and ASC care? Tracy Helmer, BSN, RN. Administrator of Tri City Cardiology Surgical Center (Mesa, Ariz.): The biggest contributor to progress right now is the application of AI. For example, AI-based improvements in workflows for efficiency throughout our compliance systems, EMRs, scheduling, credentialing, etc. These are helping us become more efficient and productive. Additionally the use of AI-driven clinical application is driving practice through real-time benefits. We see it in several areas within the cardiology space already, helping interventionalists make decisions as they operate. All of this creates benefits that naturally align with safer, more efficient outpatient-friendly care. Allyn Wilcock, CRNA. Owner of Advanced Anesthesia Services and Northwest Healing and Wellness (Snoqualmie, Wash.): The No Pain Act of 2025, combined with the addition of several new billing codes for the ambulatory surgery combined will encourage even more procedures to move into the ambulatory setting. Our practice has seen an increase in the number of orthopedic cases we deliver anesthesia for, along with a dramatic increase in regional anesthetics, including expanding use of pain catheters and pumps. This move to outpatient settings for specialties including spine and orthopedic procedures will continue to increase over the coming years, increasing demand for skilled outpatient anesthesia providers. n