Key Insights from Becker’s ASC Roundtable: Uniting RCM & Supply Chain
Tim Weakley, Product Manager at nimble Solutions
At Becker’s Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference, nimble hosted a roundtable discussion focused on a challenge facing ASC leaders across the country: how to protect margins and improve profitability in an increasingly complex environment.
The conversation brought together ASC executives and industry leaders to discuss the growing connection between revenue cycle and supply chain performance. While these functions have traditionally operated independently, attendees agreed that financial success today requires a more connected approach.
The discussion was particularly timely. Medicare ASC payment rates are increasing just 2.4% in 2026, while many organizations continue to face rising labor, supply, and implant costs. As a result, ASC leaders are looking beyond volume growth and focusing more closely on profitability at the case level.
Listed below are the key themes that emerged from the discussion.
1. Reimbursement Pressure Remains the Top Threat to ASC Profitability
When attendees were asked about the greatest threat to ASC profitability, reimbursement pressure and underpayments ranked as the top concern, ahead of labor challenges, staffing shortages, and other operational pressures.
As costs continue to rise, ASC leaders are focused on ensuring they are appropriately reimbursed for the care they provide while identifying opportunities to improve payer performance and reduce revenue leakage.
The conversation reinforced that maximizing profitability is no longer just about increasing case volume. It is about ensuring every case delivers its full financial value.
2. Revenue Cycle and Supply Chain Can No Longer Operate in Silos
One of the strongest themes from the discussion was the growing connection between operational decisions and financial outcomes.
Implant selection, inventory management, scheduling, and supply utilization all influence reimbursement, denials, and profitability. For many orthopedic and spine procedures, implants and supplies can account for more than 50% of the direct cost of a case. Yet reimbursement, supply chain, and revenue cycle functions are often managed separately.
Attendees agreed that organizations that connect these areas are better positioned to understand the true financial impact of every procedure.
3. Case-Level Profitability Is Becoming a Strategic Priority
When asked which capability would have the greatest impact on improving ASC profitability, attendees ranked:
- Case-level profitability reporting
- Denial management optimization
- Implant utilization and standardization analytics
- Payer contracting and reimbursement performance
The results highlight a growing shift in focus. ASC leaders are not simply looking for more data. They want actionable insights that help them understand which procedures, physicians, service lines, and payer contracts are driving financial performance.
Notably, most attendees described themselves as only somewhat confident in their ability to understand case profitability, signaling a significant opportunity for improved visibility and reporting.
4. Data Integrity Drives Better Decisions
Several participants shared examples of how inaccurate or incomplete data can create downstream financial challenges.
Examples included:
- Incorrect billing units impacting reimbursement
- Outdated preference cards increasing supply costs
- Mismatches between scheduled procedures and payer authorizations
- Inconsistencies across clinical, operational, and financial systems
While these issues may seem minor individually, they can contribute to denials, reimbursement delays, and inaccurate profitability reporting.
The takeaway was clear: reliable data is essential for making informed operational and financial decisions.
5. Denials Continue to Create Significant Financial Leakage
Denials remain a major concern for ASC leaders.
Industry studies estimate that up to 10% of claims are initially denied, creating administrative burden and delaying cash flow. Healthcare organizations may spend $25 to $40 or more to rework a denied claim, depending on complexity.
Roundtable participants shared examples of denials related to authorization issues, payer-specific billing requirements, implantable devices, stimulators, and documentation requests.
Preventing denials before they occur and resolving them quickly when they do remains one of the most effective ways to protect margins.
6. Technology Alone Isn’t the Answer
While technology, automation, and AI continue to play a larger role in healthcare operations, attendees agreed that technology alone will not solve profitability challenges.
The most successful organizations combine technology with experienced teams that understand coding, reimbursement, payer requirements, operational workflows, and compliance. Technology can provide visibility and efficiency. Expertise is what turns insight into action.
7. Greater Visibility Across Systems Is Needed
Many leaders discussed the challenges created by disconnected systems and fragmented data. Clinical, operational, supply chain, and revenue cycle teams often work from different platforms, making it difficult to gain a complete view of financial performance.
Improved visibility across these functions was identified as one of the greatest opportunities for driving efficiency, reducing waste, and improving profitability.
8. Collaboration Is a Competitive Advantage
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the discussion was the value of collaboration.
ASC profitability is no longer owned by a single department. Decisions made by clinical, operational, supply chain, and revenue cycle teams all influence financial performance. Organizations that break down silos and create stronger alignment across these functions are better positioned to navigate change, reduce inefficiencies, and maximize cash per case.
Let’s Continue the Conversation
The discussion at Becker’s made one thing clear: ASC leaders are looking for new ways to connect operational, clinical, and financial data to gain a clearer understanding of profitability.
Join Jessica Thurston, SVP of Client Development, and Amanda Whitener, Sr. Director of Client Development, for Becker’s upcoming webinar:
The Gap Between Revenue Cycle and Supply Chain is Thinning ASC Margins
June 30, 2026 | 12:00 PM CT
We’ll explore the themes discussed during the roundtable, review attendee poll results, and share practical strategies ASCs can use to improve visibility, strengthen financial performance, and maximize cash per case. REGISTER HERE.
