Analysis
NAICS 621493 is the 2022 national industry for freestanding ambulatory surgical and emergency centers, part of 62149 (Other Outpatient Care Centers). Census lists 7 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 30% and employment rose 18%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
County Business Patterns counts 10,042 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 196,178 people at an average annual payroll of $63,696 per employee (40th percentile of national industries). 28% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include ambulatory surgical centers and clinics, freestanding, emergency medical centers and clinics, freestanding, freestanding ambulatory surgical centers and clinics and freestanding emergency medical centers and clinics, among 7 in all.
For example, outpatient community health clinics with health practitioners from multiple industries are classified in 621498 (All Other Outpatient Care Centers) instead.
Census lists 2 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 621498 and 622. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments with physicians and other medical staff primarily engaged in (1) providing surgical services (e.g., orthoscopic and cataract surgery) on an outpatient basis or (2) providing emergency care services (e.g., setting broken bones, treating lacerations, or tending to patients suffering injuries as a result of accidents, trauma, or medical conditions necessitating immediate medical care) on an outpatient basis. Outpatient surgical establishments have specialized facilities, such as operating and recovery rooms, and specialized equipment, such as anesthetic or X-ray equipment.
Illustrative Examples:
Freestanding ambulatory surgical centers and clinics Freestanding emergency medical centers and clinics Freestanding trauma centers (except hospitals) Urgent medical care centers and clinics (except hospitals)
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
Index entries (7)
- Ambulatory surgical centers and clinics, freestanding
- Emergency medical centers and clinics, freestanding
- Freestanding ambulatory surgical centers and clinics
- Freestanding emergency medical centers and clinics
- Laser surgery centers, freestanding
- Trauma centers (except hospitals), freestanding
- Urgent medical care centers and clinics (except hospitals), freestanding