Table of Contents
Overview
New York, NY – July 04, 2025 – The US Ambulatory Surgical Center Market size is expected to be worth around US$ 103.4 Billion by 2034 from US$ 44.5 Billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034.
In 2024, the U.S. Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) market is witnessing steady growth, driven by increasing demand for minimally invasive procedures, cost-effective outpatient care, and the shift from inpatient to same-day surgeries. The market size has reached approximately USD 45.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% over the forecast period through 2033.
Ambulatory surgical centers offer surgical procedures that do not require hospital admission, enabling faster recovery and reduced healthcare costs. Common procedures performed in ASCs include cataract surgery, endoscopy, orthopedic surgeries, and colonoscopy. The growth of the ASC market is supported by advancements in surgical technologies, improved anesthesia techniques, and favorable reimbursement policies from Medicare and private insurers.
By specialty, orthopedic and gastrointestinal segments dominate the ASC market due to the high volume of procedures and clinical outcomes. Based on ownership, physician-owned ASCs continue to hold a significant share, although hospital-physician joint ventures are increasing.
The U.S. healthcare system’s focus on value-based care and operational efficiency is expected to further accelerate ASC utilization. Additionally, the growing elderly population, rising chronic disease burden, and increased preference for outpatient care settings are contributing to long-term market expansion. The U.S. ASC market remains a critical component in the evolution of efficient, high-quality surgical care delivery.
Key Takeaways
- In 2024, the U.S. Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) market generated a revenue of approximately USD 44.5 billion and is projected to reach USD 103.4 billion by 2033, expanding at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% during the forecast period.
- By center type, the market is categorized into single-specialty and multi-specialty centers. Among these, single-specialty ASCs held the dominant position in 2023, accounting for 61.4% of the total market share, driven by procedural efficiency and focused expertise.
- In terms of ownership, the ASC market is segmented into physician-owned, hospital-owned, and corporate-owned facilities. Physician-owned centers emerged as the leading category, capturing a significant 57.9% share, attributed to increased autonomy and tailored patient care delivery.
- Regarding the specialty segment, the market is segmented into orthopedics, pain management/spinal injections, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and other specialties. Orthopedics remained the most prominent specialty, contributing the highest revenue share of 45.2% in 2023, supported by high procedure volumes and the growing demand for outpatient musculoskeletal interventions.
Segmentation Analysis
- Center Type Analysis: In 2024, single-specialty ambulatory surgical centers accounted for 61.4% of the market, driven by growing patient preference for specialized, cost-effective care. These centers, focused on procedures like orthopedic or ophthalmic surgeries, offer expertise and efficient service. The rise in minimally invasive procedures, combined with demand for convenience and faster recovery, supports this segment’s growth. As healthcare systems prioritize efficiency, single-specialty centers are projected to expand steadily due to their focused operational structure.
- Ownership Analysis: Physician-owned ambulatory surgical centers held a dominant 57.9% market share in 2024. This ownership model provides physicians greater control over scheduling, patient care, and revenue management. Reduced administrative overhead and enhanced clinical autonomy attract more healthcare professionals to this model. The growing volume of outpatient procedures in areas like orthopedics and ophthalmology, along with patient satisfaction and regulatory support, is expected to sustain the growth of physician-owned ASCs over the coming years.
- Specialty Analysis: The orthopedics segment led the U.S. ASC market with a 45.2% revenue share in 2024. High demand for outpatient orthopedic procedures—such as joint replacements and spine surgeries has been fueled by the rise in musculoskeletal conditions and the aging population. Advancements in minimally invasive techniques further support outpatient delivery. As cost-effective and quality care becomes a priority, orthopedic ASCs are expected to witness continued growth due to clinical efficiency and shorter patient recovery times.
Market Segments
Center Type
- Single-specialty
- Multi-specialty
Ownership
- Physician Owned
- Hospital Owned
- Corporate Owned
Speciality
- Orthopedics
- Pain Management/Spinal Injections
- Gastroenterology
- Ophthalmology
- Others
Key Players Analysis
Key players in the U.S. ambulatory surgical center (ASC) market are actively pursuing growth through strategic mergers and acquisitions, aiming to expand their networks, enhance service offerings, and increase patient volume. Collaborations through joint ventures with hospitals and physician groups are commonly employed to improve operational efficiency and access to specialized surgical care.
Investments in advanced technologies such as robotic-assisted surgical systems and integrated electronic health records—are enhancing clinical outcomes and streamlining procedural workflows. In addition, market leaders are focusing on geographic expansion, particularly into underserved regions, to meet the growing demand for outpatient procedures. Regulatory developments, including the relaxation of Certificate of Need (CON) laws in several states, have further facilitated the establishment of new facilities.
SCA Health, a subsidiary of Optum, exemplifies these strategies. Operating over 300 ASCs across 35 states, the company performs more than one million outpatient procedures annually. Through partnerships with health plans, physician groups, and hospital systems, SCA Health focuses on acquiring, developing, and optimizing surgical centers. Since joining Optum in 2017, SCA Health has continued to expand its footprint and strengthen its position as a leading provider of high-quality, cost-effective surgical services in the outpatient setting.
Emerging Trends
- Steady Payment Rate Increases: For calendar year (CY) 2025, Medicare finalized a 2.9 % update to Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) payment rates for centers that meet quality reporting requirements. This update aligns ASC payments with the hospital market basket increase of 3.4 %, minus a 0.5 % productivity adjustment. The continuation of these annual rate updates can help ASCs invest in new equipment and expand service offerings without compromising care quality.
- Enhanced Quality Reporting Measures: CMS has refined the ASC Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program by adding two new outcome measures: ASC-17 (all-cause unplanned hospital visits within seven days of orthopedic procedures) and ASC-18 (same metric for urology procedures). These measures, effective for the CY 2022 payment determination and beyond, aim to improve patient safety monitoring and drive centers to adopt best practices in post-procedural care.
- Integration of Remote Services: Under the CY 2023 Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems final rule, certain remote mental health services furnished in patients’ homes became billable as ASC services. This policy shift reflects a broader trend of incorporating telehealth into ambulatory care, enabling pre-operative consultations and post-operative follow-ups to be conducted virtually, thus improving patient convenience and reducing facility congestion.
- Sustained High Utilization of ASCs: According to CDC data for 2010, ambulatory surgery visits totaled 28.6 million nationwide, of which 12.9 million (45 %) occurred in freestanding ASCs. Although this data is from 2010, it highlights the continued role of ASCs in handling nearly half of all outpatient surgical visits, underscoring their importance in the healthcare delivery system.
Use Cases
- High-Volume Endoscopic Procedures: In 2010, ASCs performed an estimated 4.0 million large-intestine endoscopies and 2.2 million small-intestine endoscopies. These centers also handled 2.9 million lens extractions and 2.9 million spinal canal injections. By specializing in such high-throughput, minimally invasive procedures, ASCs can offer quick turnaround times, often completing cases in less than half the time of traditional hospital settings.
- Cataract Surgery: Lens procedures accounted for over 5.5 million ASC-based surgeries in 2010 (2.9 million extractions plus 2.6 million prosthetic insertions). ASC settings streamline cataract workflows with dedicated ophthalmic teams and tailor-made support services, enabling surgeons to maintain high case volumes while preserving patient safety and satisfaction.
- Tribal and IHS Outpatient ASC Services: Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal hospitals, traditionally excluded from the Outpatient Prospective Payment System, receive an outpatient Ambulatory Inpatient Rate (AIR) of US $667 per encounter in the lower 48 states for CY 2024. These facilities have been expanding higher-cost and more complex services including cancer-related treatments under ASC-like models to better serve rural and underserved populations.
- Orthopedic and Urology Day Surgeries: The addition of ASC-17 and ASC-18 quality measures has prompted many centers to specialize further in same-day orthopedic (e.g., joint injections, minor fracture repairs) and urology procedures (e.g., cystoscopies). Early reports indicate that unplanned hospital visits within seven days for these procedures remain below 2 % in accredited ASCs, demonstrating effective patient selection and peri-operative protocols.
Conclusion
The U.S. Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) market is positioned for sustained growth, driven by rising demand for cost-effective, minimally invasive procedures and supported by technological innovation, favorable reimbursement policies, and regulatory reforms. Single-specialty and physician-owned ASCs continue to dominate, particularly in high-demand areas like orthopedics and gastroenterology.
Strategic expansions, quality reporting enhancements, and integration of remote care are further shaping the competitive landscape. As healthcare delivery shifts toward outpatient models, ASCs are expected to play an increasingly vital role in improving surgical efficiency, patient outcomes, and access to care—especially in underserved and high-volume procedural settings.
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