Are you wondering how to value your surgery center and what it’s worth? Then, this blog post is for you! Ideally, knowing how to value your surgery center requires defining a surgery center in the first place. So, read on to get all the answers to your questions.
Namely, surgery centers are in demand! We can also call it a “seller’s market”. We previously taught you how to market your surgery center, right?
Now, your center is probably worth more than you think it is. However, in order to realize the maximum value, the center must be properly prepared so that it represents exceptional value to the buyers.
What is a surgery center?
Before we start tackling how to value your surgery center? Let’s start with defining the surgery center and its benefits! Surgery centers, or ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), are licensed freestanding outpatient facilities. These centers are often physician-owned, may specialize in certain procedures, and are typically smaller than hospitals.
Ideally, Ambulatory surgery centers give surgical care in one day on a diagnostic and preventive procedures level. Hence, surgery centers have many benefits; let’s check them out hereunder.
- Time-saving: normally, hospitals make patients wait from a day to a week before performing surgery. This causes anxiety and stress. The ASC system allows the patient to leave on the same day. It offers higher equipment for appointment scheduling. Asc also prevents the patient from dealing with critical emergencies that delay a scheduled operation.
- More cost-effective: You might want to know what an ambulatory surgical center is if you care about cutting your costs. Insurance deductibles and hospital visits keep rising. This is leading the patients to seek alternative facilities, including Ascs. This is due to the ASC’s lack of overheard staff and emergency surgery equipment.
- An adequate number of nurses: ACs have a higher nurse-to-patient ratio. The narrowly focused system helps the staff to schedule more efficiently. This helps with avoiding overbooking and overworking. These factors contribute to assigning the right number of nurses to care for each patient.
- Case-by-case treatment: if you choose between a hospital and a surgical center, it is better to choose ASC. Consult with your doctor to see if it is safe for you. to benefit from low-cost and more accessible case-by-case treatment.
Higher demand for surgery centers
Now, how to value your surgery center? The first thing you need to know is that ASC values are based on profitability, so anything you can do to increase profits will increase the value of your center.
Luckily, the demand for surgery centers is expected to rise over the next decade, fueled by cost containment, convenience, and clinical advancements. This is expected to result in the exponential growth of case volumes.
If you’re a surgery center owner, you can prepare for this growth by aligning with strategic partners who bring resources to capture and profit from it. So, your goals now are to prepare your surgery center to represent maximum value and to partner with an entity to ensure that your center will benefit from future growth.
How to maximize the value of your ASC business
Financial Powerhouse:
- Boost Profit: Studies show ASCs can increase case volume by 20-30% through efficient scheduling and targeted marketing to new surgeons. Negotiate for favorable payer contracts, aiming for a minimum of 100% reimbursement of Medicare rates [source ]. Optimize your supply chain, staffing, and operational efficiency – a 2% reduction in expenses can significantly impact profits (American College of Healthcare).
- Clean Financials: Maintain meticulous financial records for easy valuation. Demonstrate consistent growth – ASCs with a 5% annual revenue growth history are typically valued higher [Healthcare Pluse].
Operational Efficiency Machine:
- Streamline Operations: Implement efficient workflows to minimize delays and maximize case throughput. Studies show a 10% reduction in case turnaround time can lead to a 5% increase in revenue (Surgery Partners]. Utilizing technology for scheduling, billing, and inventory management can improve efficiency by 15% or more (American Health Information Management Association). Invest in staff training – qualified and engaged staff can lead to a 10% reduction in patient complications (American Society of Anesthesiologists: https://www.asahq.org/).
- Mitigate Risk: Develop clear policies and procedures to minimize legal and regulatory risks. Maintain proper insurance coverage – unplanned incidents can cripple an ASC financially.
Check out these articles after you’re done
How to value your surgery center?
Whether you’re asking how to value your surgery center because you’re willing to buy or to sell an ASC or you’re just working for one. It’s very important to know that many factors affect the value of an ASC.
For instance, earnings are critical, but growth potential, assets, location, and reputation can also influence the worth of an ASC. Here’s what you need to consider when valuing a surgery center!
Earnings
Earnings are the most important contributor to a facility’s value. The healthier the financial results, the higher the value. Experts say that the fair market value of an ASC will range from three to six times the projected earnings before interest, depreciation, taxes, and amortization (EBITDA) depending on the number of specialties.
The potential for growth
The second most important contributor to an ASC’s value is its potential for growth. Having said that, multi-specialty centers bring in higher EBITDA multiples for this very reason.
Assets, location, reputation
Assets, location, reputation are also key contributors to increasing the value of the ASC. Ideally, when choosing the right assets and location and having a good reputation, the value of your center will increase.
Determining the value of tangible assets
When valuing your surgery center, one crucial aspect is the value of its tangible assets. These assets include physical items such as buildings, equipment, and furniture. Determining their worth requires a systematic approach. Here’s what you need to know:
Assessing the cost approach: One commonly used method to value tangible assets is the cost approach. This approach considers the cost to replace each asset, accounting for depreciation. It involves estimating the current market value of similar assets and adjusting for the age, condition, and obsolescence of your center’s assets.
Considering the market approach: Another approach relies on comparing the value of similar surgery centers in the market. By examining recent sales or appraisal data of comparable facilities, you can estimate the value of your assets based on how similar centers are priced.
Hiring professional appraisers: It’s essential to consider hiring professional appraisers specializing in healthcare facilities. These experts have the knowledge, experience, and tools to accurately assess the value of your surgery center’s tangible assets. Their unbiased evaluations can provide you with an objective and reliable valuation.
Assessing the market and industry factors
When valuing your surgery center, it’s crucial to consider the market and industry factors that can influence its value. Understanding these factors allows you to have a comprehensive view of the market dynamics and make informed decisions. Here are some key aspects to assess:
Competition
Take the time to research and analyze the competitive landscape within your geographic area. Identify other surgery centers or healthcare facilities offering similar services. Analyzing their pricing, patient satisfaction, and reputation can provide insights into how your center compares and allow you to position yourself effectively in the market.
Patient demand
Assess the current and projected patient demand for surgical procedures in your area. Look for trends and statistics related to the demographics, population growth, aging population, and prevalent health conditions. Understanding the demand for your services helps determine the sustainability and growth potential of your surgery center.
Reimbursement rates
Stay up-to-date with the reimbursement rates set by insurance companies and government healthcare programs. Changes in reimbursement policies or rates can significantly impact the financial viability of your surgery center. Keep track of any proposed or implemented regulatory changes that could affect reimbursement.
Regulatory environment
Stay informed about the regulatory environment in which your surgery center operates. Compliance with regulations and accreditation standards is crucial for maintaining the value.
Understanding valuation methods
When valuing your surgery center, it’s important to be familiar with the different methods used in the valuation process. These methods provide a systematic approach for determining the value of your center. Here are three common valuation methods to consider:
Income approach
The income approach estimates the value of your surgery center based on its potential to generate income. This method involves analyzing the center’s historical financial performance and projecting future cash flows. By applying an appropriate capitalization rate or discount rate to these cash flows, you can calculate the present value of the center’s expected income. The income approach is particularly useful for assessing the value of established and financially stable surgery centers.
Market approach
The market approach determines the value of your surgery center by comparing it to similar facilities recently sold or appraised. This method relies on market data and transactions of comparable surgery centers. By considering factors such as location, size, services offered, and financial performance, you can estimate the value of your center based on the prices paid for comparable facilities. The market approach is valuable for understanding how your surgery center stacks up against others.
Asset-based approach
The asset-based approach assesses the value of your surgery center by considering the net value of its tangible and intangible assets. Tangible assets include buildings, equipment, and furniture, while intangible assets include reputation, patient base, contracts, and licensure. To use the asset-based approach, you’ll need to calculate the net value of your center’s assets by deducting liabilities from the total value of assets. This approach is particularly relevant when valuing surgery centers with significant tangible assets or when the income generated by the center is not the primary determining factor of its value.
It’s worth noting that each valuation method has its strengths and limitations, and a comprehensive valuation may involve combining these methods. Engaging a professional appraiser who specializes in healthcare facilities can provide valuable expertise in determining the appropriate valuation method(s) for your specific surgery center.
By understanding these valuation methods, you can better navigate the valuation process and have a solid foundation for determining the value of your surgery center. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions about the purchase, sale, or management of your center, taking into account its financial performance, market comparables, and asset values.
Valuing your surgery center is a critical process that requires careful consideration of various factors. By following the guidelines discussed in this article, you can ensure a comprehensive and accurate valuation.
Now that you have an idea about how to value your surgery center? If you feel like learning more about surgery center emr, or anything else, call Ambula Healthcare Team: (818) 308-4108. Now, discover if an EMR system is worth it for surgery centers!
About the Author: Khalil
