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Advancing Ambulatory Surgery

The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) assists ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in delivering safe, high-quality, cost-effective patient care.

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State Legislative Trends in 2023

December 8, 2023

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Important Dates in December

December 1, 2023

2024 National Advocacy Day

2024 National Advocacy Day: Register Today!

November 16, 2023

New Podcast Episode: “Medicare’s Final Payment Rule: Solid Progress for ASCs in 2024”

November 15, 2023

Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey

Benchmarking 2023 Q3 Reports Now Available

November 15, 2023

ASCA 2024 Conference & Expo

ASCA 2024 Conference & Expo: Registration Now Open!

November 14, 2023

Education, Programs & Services

Gaylord Palms Resort & Covnention Center
April 17–20, 2024

ASCA 2024 Conference & Expo

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Orlando, FL

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Webinar Series
Virtual Courses
Online Training Series
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ASC Administrator Development Program
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Clinical & Operational Benchmarking

2023 Q2 reports now available

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Salary & Benefits

2023 reports now available

Purchase Reports
ASC Focus Magazine - August 2023

ASC Focus Magazine

A members-only print and digital magazine for the ASC community

Digital edition sponsored by

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Finance & Accounting
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HIPAA Workbook
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Physician Brief
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Benchmarking Basics
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One World Surgery Partnership

ASCA members interested in medical mission opportunities are invited to apply for the ASCA Foundation’s scholarship program.

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Enhancing the Patient Experience

ASCA members work at the forefront of the healthcare community to advance the safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of outpatient surgery.

We know our community is making a difference and that's why we provide the resources, education and advocacy to support this mission.

  • No need to visit a hospital
  • Medicare-certified quality
  • Efficient procedure scheduling and performance
  • Drastically reduced patient copays
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Patients Pay Less in
Surgery Centers

ASCs see reimbursement rates per procedure that are roughly half that of hospitals. This lower cost is passed on to the patient in the form of lower coinsurance.

Colonoscopy

Hospital

$

Surgery center

$

Cataract Removal

Hospital

$

Surgery center

$

Rotator Cuff Repair

Hospital

$

Surgery center

$

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2022 Procedure Price Lookup Comparison File, Colonoscopy (CPT® 45380), Cataract Removal (CPT® 66984), Rotator Cuff Repair (CPT® 29827)

Surgery Centers
by the Numbers

Medicare-certified ASCs

$  billion/year

Medicare program and beneficiary savings

 million/year

Total procedures performed

 million/year

Medicare procedures performed

%

Medicare cataract surgeries are performed in ASCs

%

Medicare colonoscopies are performed in ASCs

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary (PSPS) data, 2019 to 2021

Colleen Ramirez, RN, CASC

Chief Administration Officer
Bone and Joint Surgery Center of Novi

“ASCA provides its members with a true community that includes professional development and connectivity. As a member, I am provided with the knowledge and resources to stay on top of the latest trends, regulations and best practices for ASCs, all while gaining personal growth in my profession.”

ASCA Connect, a Community for Surgery Center Professionals

ASCA member conversations happening now

  • C-arm operation

    Does any facility utilize RN's and Scrub techs, as well as Physicians to operate the C-arm? Thank you! ------------------------------ Tricia Klagge BSN RN Administrator Center for Urologic Surgery St. Louis MO 314.594.8230 (116) ------------------ ... Read more

  • Surgical Prep during Intubation

    Looking for any literature, policy or guideline that describes whether providers need to wait to begin skin prep application until the intubation is completed and airway secured (in a stable patient for an elective procedure) Lynn M. Andersen, ... Read more

  • Temp & Humidity logs

    How do you log your Temp/Humidity for OR & Sterile Storage ETC? Do you use paper log or wifi thermostats? I am trying to simplify ours, we currently use paper log. ------------------------------ Darcie Card RN BSN Nurse Administrator Spring Creek ... Read more

  • Allergy Bracelet

    Hello ! about 1.5 years ago we switched our Allergy Bracelet to ones that have printed "ALLERGY ALERT" on them. this was to stop having to write out all the allergies on the blank wrist bands. It was brought up by a staff member yesterday that they ... Read more