We keep track of the most important trends and provide an annual update so you can stay informed about shifts in your market — and those likely to reach you next. For this report, we analyzed Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics^® Data Mart Database ending in 2024.

Tracking trends in outpatient shifts over recent years reveals that certain procedures — particularly in orthopedics — have settled following periods of aggressive shift. There's now greater variation across markets: Some are moving quickly from already high levels, some are beginning to shift for the first time, others have reached new stable points, and a portion remains primarily within hospital environments.

This report examines site-of-care shifts from three lenses, each of which reveals a different insight on the changing delivery landscape.