Key Points:
- In 2021, the U.S. Preventive Task Force lowered the recommended starting age for colonoscopy screenings from 50 to 45 due to rising rates of colorectal cancer diagnosed at younger ages. This change added approximately 19 million Americans to the pool of individuals needing screenings.
- The shift has significantly boosted the demand for outpatient colonoscopy procedures at Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), benefiting these facilities but also posing challenges due to the increased volume.
- The U.S. faces an impending shortage of gastroenterologists, which could make it difficult to meet the growing demand for colonoscopies.
- Despite rising demands, the reimbursement rates for gastroenterologists have not kept pace with inflation, contributing to economic pressures on providers.