Ambulatory Surgical Centers Market Size & Trends
The Ambulatory Surgical Centers Market size was valued at USD 122.17 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 184.54 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.32% over the forecast period of 2025-2032.
The global ambulatory surgical center market is growing significantly with the increasing requirement for low-cost cost minimally invasive surgeries. Outpatient volume migration, innovations in surgical techniques, along shifting patient preferences for same-day surgeries are also driving ASC adoption across the globe. In addition, ASC models are being pursued by healthcare providers largely due to favorable reimbursement models and the incentive to reduce recovery time. The industry is also stepping into a phase of consolidation, with major operators now focusing on expanding their regional presence to offer closer proximity to customers and logistics operations.
The U.S. ambulatory surgical center market size was valued at USD 39.15 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 57.68 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.99% over the forecast period of 2025-2032.
North America holds a major share of the ambulatory surgical center market, led by the U.S., due to the presence of developed healthcare infrastructure, a larger number of surgeries performed on an outpatient basis, and the presence of key players in the region. Moreover, favorable reimbursement policies and increasing usage of minimally invasive procedures also add to its dominant position.
Ambulatory Surgical Centers Market Dynamics
Drivers
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Highly Cost-Effective as Compared to Hospitals is Driving the Market Growth
Ambulatory Surgical Centers are facilities that offer surgical procedures at a cost that is much lower than what is charged in hospitals. This is in large part a function of their sharp operations, less in overheads, and a niche interest in outpatient care. For patients, this means lower co-pays, and insurance companies and government payers spend less on reimbursement. Given mounting financial pressures on health care systems internationally, ASCs have become an attractive "solution" to increase financial efficiency. This economic benefit is one of the reasons why patients, providers, and payers are turning towards ASCs.
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Advancements in Outpatient Surgery Technology are the Key Factors in the Growth of the Market
There has been a dramatic evolution with respect to the surgical and anesthetic techniques, which has brought about a drastic change in the attitudes toward outpatient care. Recently advanced technologies, such as high-definition endoscopes, robotic surgery, and ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) protocol allowed complex interventions to be performed safely and expediently in the outpatient department. Also, better methods of pain control enable patients to recover more rapidly and be discharged on the same day, which is consistent with the outpatient nature of ASCs. These advances have broadened what procedures are safe to do in the ASC and have also made patients more comfortable with surgery outside the hospital.
Restraint
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The Presence of Narrow-ranging Emergency Care Capabilities is are Restraint to the Market Growth
Ambulatory Surgical Centers are structured to be able to perform outpatient surgeries that are less risky and less invasive. Unlike full-service hospitals, however, ASCs do not have much of the advanced emergency infrastructure (ICU, blood bank, or 24-hour emergency MD presence). A patient suffers a surprise complication, severe bleeding, cardiac problems, or a reaction to anesthesia– during or after surgery, the ambulatory surgical center must transfer that patient to a hospital for care. This limits the spectrum of cases ASCs can safely perform and diminishes the provider's confidence and the patient's desire for higher acuity procedures.
Ambulatory Surgical Centers Market Segmentation Analysis
By Application
The orthopedics segment held the largest share of the ambulatory surgical center market in 2024, with a 27.4%, as an increasing number of orthopedic procedures, including joint replacement procedures, arthroscopy, and bone fracture repair procedures, are being performed at outpatient facilities. Technological and procedural improvements in minimally invasive orthopedic surgery, minimization of recovery time, and length of hospital stay have made ASCs the preferred choice for patients and providers. In addition, the increasing elderly population, along with an increasing prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, continues to drive demand for orthopedic procedures in the ASC environment.
The otolaryngology segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the increase in the number of outpatient procedures for chronic sinusitis, ear infections, tonsillectomies, and nasal surgeries. Such surgeries are amenable to the ASC model since they have a low risk of complications and a minimal recovery time. A growing prevalence of pediatric ENT cases and an increase in ENT-dedicated ASCs are driving the growth of this segment, as are technological enhancements for high-end precision outpatient care.
By Ownership
The physician-owned segment dominated the ambulatory surgical center market share in 2024 with a 63.11% market share, for higher clinical freedom, performance, and a productive procedural process. ASC ownership by physicians allows the care setting to be adjusted to specialize in certain procedures, which can lead to more efficient procedures and high patient satisfaction. Sidwell added that ownership opportunities boosted income from procedures, better control over resources, and another source of revenue have enticed numerous clinicians who owned their practices to buy and run an ASC.
The hospital-owned ASCs segment is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period, owing to the health systems' strategic initiatives to grow their outpatient care footprint. Hospitals are turning to ASC partnerships and acquisitions as they work to lower inpatient costs and increase patient access to same-day surgeries. This pattern is reflected as well in payers favoring lower-cost outpatient and good reimbursement. The plurality of hospital-owned ASCs also contributes to the rise of consolidated care networks that have coordinated care, embrace technology, and are compliant with regulatory standards.
By Type
The single-specialty segment accounted for the largest share in the Ambulatory Surgical Center market in 2024, with a 68.3%, as they offer operational efficiency, concentrated skills, and a low cost of set-up and management. Such centers typically focus on popular specialties such as orthopedics, ophthalmology, or gastroenterology, resulting in greater efficiencies of scale, quicker procedure times, and better patient results. Doctors who are affiliated with single-specialty ASCs experience a higher volume of procedures and are able to use their time more efficiently, resulting in higher profits and greater patient satisfaction.
The multi-specialty ASC segment is likely to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period, as increasing patient preference for all-in-one surgical treatment continues to fuel demand. The centers can support multiple types of procedures, including ENT, pain management, OB/GYN, and plastic surgery, all in one location, making care more convenient for patients. Furthermore, multi-specialty ASCs pull in more patient volume, stronger payor contracts, and partnerships with hospitals and strategic corporate partners, making them highly scalable and attractive for long-term investment.
By Services
The treatment segment held the largest share in the global Ambulatory Surgical Center market in 2024 with a 76.2% market share, as there is a large number of outpatient surgeries being conducted in different specialties, ranging from orthopedic, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and pain management. Increasing transition from inpatient-to-outpatient treatment facilities, features such as minimally invasive techniques of surgery with faster recovery time, and good reimbursement coverage have contributed to the dominance of the treatment segment. Surgicals are becoming more and more common at ASCs due to a cost-effective option where the risks of infection are lower and the turnaround time is faster than in hospitals.
The diagnosis segment is anticipated to grow substantially over the forecast period owing to the increasing requirement for early identification and accurate detection of chronic diseases in an ambulatory setting. ASCs are also adding non-surgical diagnostic modalities with endoscopy, colonoscopy, imaging, and biopsy services, to become more full-service and provide all-encompassing care in one facility. Technological developments and patient demand for fast and convenient testing services "outside the four walls" of a typical hospital setting are driving this segment of the market. Furthermore, the preventive healthcare culture and increasing buzz around early diagnosis will continue to generate demand for diagnostic services across outpatient services.
Ambulatory Surgical Centers Market Regional Insights
North America is the dominant regional abulatory surgery centers market share with 42.1%. North America has developed a healthcare infrastructure, a growing number of advanced outpatient surgical procedures in the outpatient surgical facility, and also due to this region has an established base of independent and hospital-affiliated Ambulatory Surgical Centers. Strong reimbursement systems are being put in place in the region, particularly in the U.S., supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a voice for inexpensive outpatient surgeries. Moreover, key 1-rated management companies of ASC and preference for the minimally invasive surgeries are some other factors contributing to the growth of the region.
Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the Ambulatory Surgical Center market with a 5.85% CAGR over the forecast period, owing to investment in healthcare infrastructural development, an expanding middle-class population, and a rise in demand for affordable and convenient outpatient care in this region. National governments such as those of India, China, and Japan are prioritizing infrastructure development in healthcare and promoting the establishment of day-care surgery centers to reduce the burden on hospitals. Moreover, rising advancements in medical technology, surging awareness related to the benefits of same-day surgery, and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases have augmented the market for ASCs in the region, consequently driving the market in the region.
The Ambulatory Surgical Center market trends in Europe are expanding at a significant rate, due to increasing adoption of minimally invasive surgeries and rising demand for value-based surgical services, at inpatient healthcare costs. Germany, the UK, and France are transitioning to a low-cost care model through bodyshops for them to compete more effectively on price. Furthermore, such favourable government support acts along with the technological advancements and the growth in private healthcare infrastructure are accelerating the demand for ASCs in the region, thereby making Europe one of the most significant regions contributing to the global market expansion.
The Ambulatory Surgical Center market analysis in Latin America and MEA is likely to show significant growth owing to growing infrastructure for healthcare facilities and rising investment in outpatient care. In Latin America, countries are incrementally providing low-cost surgical care through ASCs. In MEA, growth continues to be gradual, supported by the increasing urbanization, the burgeoning private sector, and the increasing popularity of same-day surgeries, despite obstacles such as inadequate access in rural regions and finite resources to curb extensive growth.
Key Players in the Ambulatory Surgical Centers Market
The Ambulatory Surgical Center market companies are Surgical Care Affiliates, AmSurg, Tenet Healthcare, HCA Healthcare, MEDNAX, United Surgical Partners International (USPI), Surgery Partners, Envision Healthcare, Regent Surgical Health, Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America, Covenant Physician Partners, Healthway Medical Corporation, Medical Facilities Corporation, NueHealth, NorthStar Healthcare, Physicians Endoscopy, Pinnacle III, St. George Surgical Center, Sutter Health, Surgery Center Services of America, and other players.
Recent Developments in the Ambulatory Surgical Centers Market
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April 2025 – AMSURG, the nation's largest independent operator of Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), announced it has acquired Covington, Louisiana-based Pinnacle Surgery Center. The newly acquired, modern outpatient facility consists of 8,787 square feet and includes three operating rooms and one procedure room, further deepening AMSURG's presence in the market.
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February 2023 – United Surgical Partners International (USPI), the largest United States ASC platform and a subsidiary of Tenet Healthcare, formed a strategic development agreement with Providence, a not-for-profit health system serving the Western U.S. This partnership seeks to increase access to ambulatory surgical care in several communities.
Ambulatory Surgery Centers Market Report Scope:
Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2024 USD 122.17 Billion Market Size by 2032 USD 184.54 Billion CAGR CAGR of 5.32% From 2025 to 2032 Base Year 2024 Forecast Period 2025-2032 Historical Data 2021-2023 Report Scope & Coverage Market Size, Segments Analysis, Competitive Landscape, Regional Analysis, DROC & SWOT Analysis, Forecast Outlook Key Segments • By Application (Orthopedics, Pain Management/Spinal Injections, Gastroenterology, Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Dental, Podiatry, Other Applications)
• By Ownership (Physician Owned, Hospital Owned, Corporate Owned)
• By Center Type (Single-Specialty, Multi-Specialty)
• By Services (Treatment, Diagnosis)Regional Analysis/Coverage North America (US, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Poland, Turkey, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America) Company Profiles Surgical Care Affiliates, AmSurg, Tenet Healthcare, HCA Healthcare, MEDNAX, United Surgical Partners International (USPI), Surgery Partners, Envision Healthcare, Regent Surgical Health, Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America, Covenant Physician Partners, Healthway Medical Corporation, Medical Facilities Corporation, NueHealth, NorthStar Healthcare, Physicians Endoscopy, Pinnacle III, St. George Surgical Center, Sutter Health, Surgery Center Services of America