Which figure correctly represents the 2012 growth rate of Medicare Certified ASCs?

• A. 1.0%
• B. 1.2%
• C. 1.4%
• D. 1.6%

Answer: (B)

Interpreting a year‑over‑year growth rate on a chart means reading the percentage change from the previous year to the year shown. For 2012, the chart’s growth-rate value for Medicare Certified ASCs is 1.2%, so that reading corresponds to the 2012 data point.

This 1.2% represents a modest increase from 2011 to 2012—the count of Medicare Certified ASCs grew by about 1.2% year over year. When you verify, find the 2012 data point on the growth-rate series and read its value; the other numbers don’t align with the 2012 point, so they aren’t the correct 2012 growth rate.

Remember, the rate is simply the percent change from the previous year, calculated as the difference between years divided by the prior year’s count.