McKinsey Report Highlights Outpatient Industry’s Role in U.S. Healthcare

A new report from the McKinsey Global Institute focusing on spending in U.S. healthcare, states that the outpatient care industry is not only a profitable one, but also spends the highest amount of any other healthcare segment in the country.

According to the report and a blog from The Wall Street Journal, the United States spends $2.1 trillion yearly on healthcare, with outpatient care accounting for a whopping $850 billion or 41 percent of that amount. The report also states that the outpatient industry, the fastest-growing component of the healthcare system, accounts for $436 billion, or two-thirds, of the nearly $650 billion in excess spending each year. ASCs, which were lumped in the outpatient category with same-day healthcare, dental care and digital imaging centers, were one of the smallest in excess spending, accounting for $21 billion of the $436 billion.