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A confluence of forces is fueling the rapid growth of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), shifting them from a capacity lever to a strategic imperative. Particularly as site-neutrality marches on (the OPPS suggests phasing out the Inpatient Only List across three years), these ambulatory assets are required for health system sustainability.
To guide health system leaders through this evolution, THMA’s Strategy Catalyst has released two research reports. ASC Program Snapshots, released in June, distills lessons from both established and emerging ASC models. The latest deliverable, published in August, dives into physician ownership of ASCs as a powerful driver of physician alignment.
360 Takeaway:
ASCs are no longer just about adding capacity, they are strategic assets that foster physician alignment, allow greater market capture, and provide a hedge against site-neutrality. Systems that get physician ownership right will be best positioned to capture surgical market share and translate ASC growth into long-term system advantage.
Our Research Shows:
Equity is a recruitment and retention lever for physicians: More than half of health systems now grant ownership to employed physicians
Equity builds alignment: Beyond financial incentives, physician equity encourages proactive focus on growth and long-term sustainability.
Headwinds remain: Systems must navigate compliance guardrails, buy-in affordability, and governance dynamics between employed and community physicians.
Opportunities outweigh risks: When designed well, ownership accelerates surgeon alignment, case migration, and readiness for value-based care.
The publication also outlines Mount Sinai's ASC Playbook and how the system enabled physician ownership in ASCs to attract top talent, shift care to lower-cost settings, and enter new markets
