Table of Contents
Overview
Global Outpatient Care Market size is expected to be worth around US$ 150.7 Billion by 2034 from US$ 48.1 Billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034. In 2024, North America led the market, achieving over 37.4% share with a revenue of US$ 18.0 Billion.
The global healthcare system is witnessing a significant shift towards outpatient care, a model focused on delivering medical services without requiring hospital admission. Driven by advancements in medical technology, cost-efficiency, and patient preference for home-based recovery, outpatient care is rapidly becoming a central component of modern healthcare delivery.
Outpatient care encompasses a broad range of services including diagnostic tests, minor surgical procedures, chronic disease management, physical therapy, and preventive care. These services are increasingly delivered in ambulatory care centers, physician offices, retail clinics, and telemedicine platforms. This transformation is supported by minimally invasive technologies, real-time monitoring tools, and electronic health record (EHR) integration.
According to data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), outpatient visits have grown steadily over the past decade, with outpatient revenue now accounting for over 50% of total hospital income in the United States. Similar trends are observed globally as healthcare systems aim to reduce inpatient burdens and optimize resource utilization.
The growing prevalence of chronic conditions, aging populations, and emphasis on value-based care further support outpatient model expansion. Government initiatives and payer incentives are also encouraging care delivery outside of traditional hospital settings.
Key Takeaways
- In 2024, the global outpatient care market generated a total revenue of USD 48.1 billion and is projected to reach approximately USD 150.7 billion by 2034, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1% over the forecast period.
- By type, the market is categorized into public and private sectors. The private segment emerged as the leading contributor in 2023, accounting for 55.3% of the total market share, driven by growing investment in private healthcare infrastructure.
- Based on application, the market is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and others. Among these, hospitals held a dominant position, capturing 38.5% of the market share, attributed to their broad service capacity and integration with outpatient services.
- In terms of service types, the market is divided into ambulatory surgical centers, urgent care centers, diagnostic imaging centers, primary care clinics, and others. Ambulatory surgical centers led the segment, accounting for the largest share of 31.2%, supported by increased adoption of minimally invasive surgical procedures.
- Regionally, North America led the global outpatient care market in 2023, commanding a 37.4% share, primarily due to advanced healthcare infrastructure, widespread insurance coverage, and favorable reimbursement frameworks.
Segmentation Analysis
- Type Analysis: Private outpatient care is anticipated to account for 55.3% of the market share, supported by rising demand for specialized, fast, and personalized healthcare services. Patients increasingly prefer private facilities for reduced wait times and better service quality. The sector benefits from significant investments in modern technology and high-end treatments. Additionally, the expanding middle-class population in emerging economies is fueling the growth of private providers, enhancing flexibility and accessibility across outpatient healthcare offerings.
- Application Analysis: Hospitals are projected to hold 38.5% of the outpatient care market share, largely due to their ability to provide a broad spectrum of medical services. Advancements in minimally invasive technologies are allowing hospitals to perform outpatient surgeries and procedures efficiently. The shift toward reducing inpatient admissions and enhancing operational throughput is accelerating hospital-based outpatient care. This model also improves cost-effectiveness while meeting growing patient demand for same-day, accessible, and affordable care services.
- Service Types Analysis: Ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) are expected to capture 31.2% of the outpatient care market, driven by their convenience and ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective surgical services. ASCs focus on same-day procedures, allowing patients to return home without hospital stays, thus reducing healthcare costs. Enhanced surgical technologies and increased preference for outpatient procedures in areas like orthopedics and ophthalmology are supporting this growth. ASCs offer providers a scalable solution for improving efficiency while addressing patient-centered care priorities.
Market Segments
By Type
- Public
- Private
By Application
- Hospitals
- Ambulatory Surgical Centres
- Others
By Service Types
- Ambulatory Surgical Centers
- Urgent Care Centers
- Diagnostic Imaging Centers
- Primary Care Clinics
- Others
Regional Analysis
In 2023, North America led the global outpatient care market, capturing a 37.4% revenue share, supported by strong patient demand for convenient, accessible services and continued advancements in medical technology. The United States witnessed an 8.2% rise in national health expenditures in 2024, with outpatient services contributing significantly to the rebound in healthcare utilization.
Favorable reimbursement models, including those from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), support the shift toward lower-cost outpatient settings such as ambulatory surgical centers. Nearly 50 million prior authorization decisions were made by Medicare Advantage insurers in 2023, underscoring the high volume of managed care services. In Canada, healthcare spending grew by 5.7% in 2024, with a notable increase in emergency and day surgeries, according to CIHI.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Key drivers include a rising burden of chronic diseases, growing middle-class populations, and strong governmental initiatives. In India, over 160,000 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centers are operational, enhancing primary care access. Japan and China continue to strengthen community-based care to support aging populations and decentralize healthcare delivery. Private providers like IHH Healthcare are expanding outpatient facilities, further boosting market growth in the region.
Emerging Trends
- Expansion of Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs): The number of procedures performed in ASCs is rising sharply, reflecting a shift of surgical services to outpatient settings. One specific procedure code saw provision jump from 10,800 cases in 2020 to 38,600 cases in 2023. This growth can be attributed to lower costs and faster patient recovery associated with ASCs.
- Impact of Certificate-of-Need (CON) Law Repeals: States that have repealed CON laws for ASCs have experienced a 44–47% increase in ASC facilities per capita statewide, and rural areas saw a 92–112% rise. This regulatory change has enabled more outpatient capacity, particularly in underserved regions.
- Rise of Hospital-at-Home Programs: The Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative has enabled inpatient-level care in patients’ homes. As of October 2024, 366 hospitals were approved under this program, treating over 31,000 patients outside traditional facilities. This trend reflects a growing preference for home-based acute care to improve comfort and reduce facility costs.
- Continued Growth in Outpatient Clinical Services Spending: Spending on physician and clinical services grew by 7.4% in 2023, reaching $978.0 billion. This rate exceeded the 4.6% growth in 2022 and underscores the increasing reliance on ambulatory visits and procedures.
- Sustained Telemedicine Adoption: Although telemedicine use declined somewhat after the pandemic peak, nearly one-third (30.1%) of U.S. adults reported using telemedicine in 2022. This demonstrates that virtual visits remain a staple of outpatient care delivery.
Use Cases
- Telemedicine for Routine Follow-Ups: In 2022, 30.1% of adults had at least one telemedicine appointment in the past year. Telehealth platforms are now routinely used for chronic disease management, medication adjustments, and mental health check-ins.
- Specialty-Based Telehealth Utilization: Among medical specialists in 2022, 41.5% used telemedicine for fewer than 25% of visits, while 27.4% conducted 50% or more of their visits virtually. This distribution highlights telehealth’s role in both initial consultations and ongoing specialist care.
- Adult Day Services Leveraging Telehealth: Nearly half (46%) of U.S. adult day services centers incorporated telehealth tools in 2022, facilitating remote monitoring and virtual therapy sessions for older adults.
- High-Volume Ambulatory Procedures: ASCs now cover over 3,600 procedure types, with a core set of 57 services accounting for 75% of Medicare revenue in this setting. Common procedures include cataract removal, gastrointestinal endoscopies, and minor orthopedic surgeries.
- Home-Based Acute Care: Through the Hospital-at-Home model, 366 hospitals delivered inpatient-level services such as IV antibiotics, monitoring for cardiac conditions, and post-surgical care to more than 31,000 patients by October 2024. This use case demonstrates outpatient care extending directly into patients’ homes.
- Volume of Physician Office Visits: Outpatient settings remain fundamental: in 2023, there were 1.0 billion physician office visits in the U.S., equivalent to 320.7 visits per 100 persons. These visits encompass preventive screenings, acute care consultations, and routine follow-ups.
Conclusion
The global shift toward outpatient care reflects a transformative move in healthcare delivery, driven by technological innovation, cost-efficiency, and changing patient expectations. With strong growth projections, particularly in private facilities and ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient care is increasingly central to managing chronic diseases, performing routine procedures, and enhancing access to services.
North America remains the dominant market, while Asia Pacific is poised for rapid growth. The rise of telemedicine, hospital-at-home programs, and high-volume outpatient procedures underscores a future where patient-centered, decentralized, and value-based care models redefine the healthcare landscape across developed and emerging economies.
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