The U.S. Census Bureau forecasts a significant increase in the American population aged 65 and over. Within the past decade, this demographic has grown by almost 15 million. This trend is projected to continue, with a 47% increase expected by 2050. Consequently, the proportion of the population aged 65 and older is anticipated to rise by 6%, reaching 23% of the total population.

“An aging population means higher use of healthcare services and a greater need for family and professional caregivers.”
– The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hospital systems are strategically seeking to increase the availability of outpatient medical care in order to control costs and meet the needs of care from those in the Baby Boomer and Gen X generations who are not willing or able to travel for care. As more patients expect high-end services, and care becomes more specialized as humans age, a change in the outpatient experience has occurred. These shifts and changes are expected to lead to a growth in the use of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), with 12% growth predicted by 2028, and 22% growth predicted by 2033.¹⁰ Additionally, more than 80% of surgeries in the U.S. are now performed in an outpatient setting, according to ASCData.¹¹ The firm reports that ASCs reduce expenditures for patients, insurers, and Medicare, with $42.4 billion of savings in one year of spending from patients choosing ASCs, as well as $2.3 billion annual Medicare savings also created by patients choosing ASCs.