There’s one thing we humans can be certain of whenever we enter a new year: the desire to make predictions about what might lie ahead for any given endeavor. Clearly, we are hardwired to look beyond the now and make assumptions about the future. Not surprisingly, those of us who work in and own ASCs are more than eager to make predictions about where our most important asset is headed in the coming year.
So, how do things look for the ophthalmic ASC as we head into 2026? Overall, they look pretty good to me. We’ve come out of a year that showed solid growth for many ASCs, and—in no small part due to the hard work of OOSS leadership—we will enjoy another increase in cataract surgical fee reimbursement this year. Office-based surgery at present seems to have little or no significant effect on the success of ASCs, and the ASC patient experience continues to garner stellar reviews. All of these things and more make the future look bright.
However, there are some headwinds coming. Several different factors currently in play will present challenges to the ophthalmic ASC in 2026. The costs of doing business, including supplies and staff, continue to rise, eating into that hard-won additional reimbursement. Maintaining adequate staffing continues to be a challenge. Office-based surgery, although not significant at present, is likely to grow, which may have negative consequences for lesser-known ASCs. Pilot outcome audits are in the works, and, if launched across the United States, they would create another costly and unwanted layer of oversight. Hence the title of this column, “Guarded Optimism.”
One positive thing you can be sure of in 2026 is that OOSS and The Ophthalmic ASC will be your advocate and information source, helping to ensure your most valuable asset stays that way.
