Colonoscopies and upper gastrointestinal procedures cost an average of 1.7 times more in a hospital outpatient department than they cost in an ASC, according to a July report from Anthem's Public Policy Institute.
Three key takeaways:
1. The U.S. healthcare system could realize about $12 billion in savings if 1 in 5 upper GI and colonoscopy procedures shift from hospital outpatient departments to ASCs.
2. In 2019, 52 percent of upper GI and colonoscopy procedures were done in an ASC, compared to 48 percent in an HOPD.
3. In 2019, 79 percent of upper GI and colonoscopy procedures done in HOPDs were in counties where an ASC was a viable alternative.