Same-Day Cardiology Care Shifting to Outpatient Setting

The latest industry figures reveal that the fastest growing procedure in outpatient surgery is cardiology as market leaders look to capture the wave and save dollars for certain cardiac procedures in a safe, lower cost environment. According to Avanza’s 2022 report, key benchmarks indicate that cardiology is the focus of business growth in the ASC arena.

Some of the growth is regional across the country as leaders look to fill the gaps in patient care and evolve high-acuity cases in specific healthcare locations. In a “Trend to Watch” article, Outpatient Surgery Magazine reported that the shift of cardiology procedures to the outpatient setting is increasing access to cost-effective and high-quality care (Article | Outpatient Surgery Magazine (aorn.org). When CMS added many ASC-approved cardiovascular procedures to the outpatient environment, it revolutionized the space and opened doors for further growth. 

CMS now reimburses for diagnostic and interventional coronary cases performed in ASCs, a new development in 2022 that is contributing to the shift of cases from inpatient hospitals to ambulatory settings. Several types of procedures were added last year to the ASC Covered Procedure List (CPL), including diagnostic and interventional coronary procedures, peripheral vascular interventions and placement of pacemakers and defibrillators. More procedures are expected to be added to the CPL moving forward as leaders keep an eye on developments. It’s clear that the reimbursement landscape is shifting to benefit same-day cardiology care and growth in this area will continue.  OSM