Spine and orthopedics are among ASC specialties that leaders plan to grow in the coming year, according to VMG Health’s “ASC Leader Expectations for 2026” report.
VMG Health surveyed 97 respondents in ASC leadership positions, and 37% said they would consider expanding total joint care while 39% said they’re considering expanding spine services.
Total joint replacements are common in the outpatient setting, and improved technologies are making more spine surgeries feasible in ASCs.
Between 2021 and 2024, the share of spine surgeries performed in the ASC setting has grown by 8% year over year, AcuityMD reported in March. Connecticut, Indiana and North Carolina in particular stand out for their outpatient spine growth rates.
“Complex spine and higher-acuity orthopedic cases will keep moving to ASCs as anesthesia protocols and postoperative pain management improve,” Brian Curtin, MD, of Charlotte, N.C.-based OrthoCarolina, said. “Payer pressure will continue to push cases to ASCs, and patients increasingly prefer outpatient settings over hospitals. Economic challenges — particularly unsustainable reimbursement from CMS or commercial payers, along with high capital and staffing costs — could slow this shift and push expensive cases back to hospitals.”
