Podcast Summary: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Episode: Transparency and Growth in ASC Care with Adam Hornback of Hinkapin Health
Host: Francesca Matthews
Guest: Adam Hornback (COO, Hinkapin Health; Administrator, North Texas Team Care Surgery Center; President, Texas ASC Society)
Date: November 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on current trends, challenges, and opportunities in ambulatory surgery center (ASC) care, with a spotlight on transparency and growth strategies. Adam Hornback, a nurse executive and industry advocate, shares his expertise on rising healthcare costs, employer-based care models, transparent pricing, and upcoming regulatory changes—offering practical leadership insights for ASC administrators and healthcare business leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Adam Hornback’s Background & ASC Focus

• Adam is a nurse by training and now serves as COO at Hinkapin Health, Administrator of North Texas Team Care Surgery Center, and President of the Texas ASC Society.
  • "My surgery center is a multi-specialty physician-owned center and then Hinkapin Health is a company that provides cash bundles for patients and employees that a lot of employers are going to because of the changes and rising healthcare costs." — Adam Hornback [01:13]

2. Top Three Industry Trends in ASCs

• Rising Cost of Healthcare
  • ASCs counter this by adopting transparent pricing for patients and clients.
• Shift to Direct Physician Care Models
  • Growth in subscription-based primary care and direct contracting.
• Concerns About Anesthesia Coverage
  • Insurers increasingly deny or remove anesthesia coverage from being an option in pain and GI specialties.
  • "The first and most important [trend] is the rising cost of healthcare...We're helping to battle that by having transparent pricing for our clients and navigating our patients to cash-friendly sites like surgery centers." — Adam Hornback [01:57]
  • "The final trend I'm concerned about is the trend towards carriers denying or just taking the option off the table for anesthesia care in pain and GI." — Adam Hornback [02:23]

3. Excitement for Employer-Based Healthcare Solutions

• Surge of direct employer-patient models helps reduce costs and increase provider-patient agency.
  • "Whenever we're doing a direct employer, direct model, the option to bypass the large insurance carriers puts the care back in the hands of patients." — Adam Hornback [02:56]

4. Outlook on ASC Growth

• Optimism about ASC industry growth in the wake of possible regulatory changes.
• Removal of the CMS “hospital only” procedures list could expand what's possible at ASCs—but also introduces risk.
  • "I've heard rumors that we're getting rid of the hospital only list, you know, thereby opening up a bunch of new opportunities for ASCs to take care of our patients." — Adam Hornback [03:27]
  • "I think everybody's a little on edge about what insurance rates are going to look like…So I think having our prices transparent is a very good cause to look forward to." — Adam Hornback [03:41]

5. Preparing for More Complex Procedures

• Cautious embrace of expanded procedure capabilities, with patient safety as the top priority.
• Already performing selective, higher-acuity procedures (e.g., small colectomies on healthy patients), but stresses:
  • "We have to be very smart about the procedures that we take on...It's always the same. It's the right patient, right time, do all the right things for patient safety and we'll be in good shape." — Adam Hornback [04:32 & 05:16]
• The balance between innovation and overreaching is key.

6. Patient Safety as Central Principle

• Continually re-emphasized as ASCs grow and adapt:
  • "We want to take good care of the patients, but we need to do it the correct way...patient safety above all." — Adam Hornback [05:31]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Adam Hornback:

• "Direct employer, direct model, the option to bypass the large insurance carriers puts the care back in the hands of patients." [02:56]
• "We don't want to get in over our skis...It's the right patient, right time...do all the right things for patient safety and we'll be in good shape." [04:37–05:16]
• "Having our prices transparent is a very good cause to look forward to." [03:41]

Francesca Matthews:

• "That anesthesia piece has been huge. What are you most excited about right now in ASCS and healthcare overall?" [02:41]
• "How are you kind of thinking about preparing for that? In what ways are you preparing to be able to potentially do many more procedures?" [04:16]

Timestamps Guide for Key Segments

| Segment Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|---------------| | Guest intro and background | 01:00 - 01:47 | | Three main ASC industry trends | 01:56 - 02:35 | | Employer solutions & transparent pricing | 02:52 - 03:17 | | Growth prospects and regulatory changes | 03:24 - 04:00 | | Preparing for “inpatient-only list” changes | 04:00 - 05:25 | | Emphasis on patient safety | 05:25 - 05:39 |

Final Thoughts

Adam Hornback provides a clear, candid look at the evolving landscape of ASC care: increasing cost pressure, insurer uncertainty, and the opportunities in transparent, employer-focused healthcare. His message is one of measured optimism, advocating for both innovation and steadfast attention to patient safety as the industry expands its scope.

Quote to Remember:
"Having our prices transparent is a very good cause to look forward to." — Adam Hornback [03:41]