In an episode recorded live at Becker’s 31st Annual ASC Conference, Kevin Dowdy, Associate Principal with ECG, talks with Kayla Schneeweiss-Keene, ASC Administrator at Mann Eye Institute, about the growth of office-based surgery suites (OBSs), cost and efficiency differences with ASCs, and how physicians and payers are shaping the next phase of outpatient care. Together, they explore:

• OBSs as a strategic complement to ASCs. Rather than replacing ASCs, OBSs offer a flexible and cost-effective alternative for practices facing space constraints or seeking to expand services. When implemented thoughtfully, OBSs can enhance overall surgical capacity and allow ASCs to focus on higher-acuity cases.
• Cost efficiency. The financial differences between ASCs and OBSs are significant—from construction and staffing to monthly operating costs. OBSs can operate with lower overhead and break-even volumes, making them an attractive option for certain specialties and markets.
• Physicians’ role in site-of-service decisions. While payers drive site-of-service trends, physicians should be the primary drivers of OBS adoption. Their focus on patient experience, efficiency, and control over care delivery can help ensure that procedures are performed in the right setting—not just the most affordable one.

“If you’re doing it right, you’re not going to take volume away from your ASC [with an OBS], but you’re going to complement it.” – Kayla Schneeweiss-Keene

“The payer community is asking: if ASCs are cheaper than hospitals, what’s cheaper than ASCs?” – Kevin Dowdy