AcuityMD Unveils New Outpatient Spinal Surgery Data at AAOS Annual Meeting
AcuityMD, a leading intelligence platform for MedTech, is showcasing new data on the rise of outpatient spinal surgeries at the 2025 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting. Between 2021 and 2024, the proportion of spinal surgeries performed in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) has grown by nearly 8% annually. This shift is driven by significant benefits for patients, payers, and providers alike. ASCs offer a cost-effective alternative, being 45-60% less expensive than hospitals. The Department of Health and Human Services projects a potential $15 billion in savings for taxpayers and $3 billion in savings for Medicare patients if all qualifying surgeries were performed at ASCs.
AcuityMD, a leading intelligence platform for the MedTech industry, is presenting new data on the rapid growth of outpatient spinal surgeries at the 2025 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting. Over the past few years, advancements in minimally invasive surgical technologies, including improved anesthetic techniques and enhanced postoperative care protocols, have paved the way for increasingly complex spinal procedures to be successfully performed in outpatient settings. As a result, the number of spinal surgeries performed in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) has seen a significant rise.
From 2021 to 2024, the percentage of spinal surgeries conducted in ASCs has grown by nearly 8% each year. This shift toward outpatient spinal surgery is largely driven by its numerous benefits for patients, payers, and healthcare providers alike. For example, ASCs typically offer procedures at 45-60% less cost than hospitals. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, if all qualifying surgeries were performed in ASCs, it could result in savings of $15 billion to taxpayers and $3 billion for Medicare patients.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of outpatient spinal procedures when, in 2020, ASCs were among the first to be cleared to resume non-urgent and elective surgeries ahead of hospitals. This development marked a turning point, as providers, patients, and payers quickly embraced the benefits of outpatient care, contributing to sustained growth in the number of spinal surgeries performed in ASCs. Since 2021, the growth rates of spinal procedures in ASCs have consistently outpaced those in hospitals.
Despite these promising trends, the adoption of outpatient spinal surgery is not uniform across the United States. While states like Connecticut, Indiana, and North Carolina have seen significant increases in spinal surgeries performed in ASCs, neighboring states such as Massachusetts, Kentucky, and South Carolina have experienced slower growth, falling below the national average. Several factors may be contributing to these disparities, including variations in state regulations, provider preferences, and reimbursement rates.
“These disparities present opportunities for new ASCs to open and provide convenient, high-quality care for patients who need spinal procedures,” said Ross Feinstein, Vice President of Product at AcuityMD. “The large state-to-state variance in adoption rates provides valuable opportunities for follow-up studies to understand the underlying causes of these differences. In the meantime, we see considerable potential for MedTech companies to introduce their innovations to more physicians and providers nationwide, particularly in regions where outpatient spinal surgery adoption is lagging.”
AcuityMD’s intelligence platform is designed specifically for the MedTech commercial process, offering a comprehensive approach to market intelligence. The platform enables sales, marketing, and national accounts teams to build data-driven strategies that target the best opportunities. By combining streamlined workflows with robust data, such as the insights being presented at AAOS, AcuityMD provides MedTech companies with valuable tools to navigate the complexities of the market. The platform includes modules for Pipeline, Targeting, Markets, Territories, Contracts, and Care Journeys, allowing companies to identify and capitalize on emerging trends like the expansion of outpatient spinal surgeries.
For those attending the AAOS 2025 Annual Meeting, AcuityMD invites participants to learn more about its findings during its presentation on March 12th at 12:00 p.m., as well as at Booth #2705. Additionally, more information on the latest findings from AcuityMD’s study can be accessed through their platform and research reports.
About AcuityMD
AcuityMD is a leading intelligence platform designed for the medical technology (MedTech) industry. The platform is used by over 300 MedTech companies, including six of the top 10 global companies, to identify target markets, surface top opportunities, and accelerate business growth. From pre-commercial startups to large enterprises, AcuityMD provides the insights needed to understand where and how to sell medical technologies more effectively. By helping companies streamline their sales and marketing efforts, AcuityMD plays a critical role in driving the adoption of new medical innovations and improving healthcare delivery.
