Ambulatory Surgery Center Association

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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Latest News

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ASCA Supports Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act

June 13, 2025

ASCA Leads Coalition in Support of Medicare Copay Relief

June 11, 2025

Important Dates in June

June 2, 2025

2025 Salary & Benefits Survey Now Open

June 2, 2025

Navigating Public and Private Audits

May 20, 2025

Capping Medicare Copay Fees for ASC Procedures

May 13, 2025

Education, Programs & Services

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Covnention Center

April 30–May 3, 2025

ASCA 2025 Conference & Expo

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Denver, CO

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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

2025 Q1 data submissions open

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Salary & Benefits

2025 data collection opens soon

Purchase Reports

ASC Focus Magazine

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

Digital edition sponsored by

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Finance & Accounting

HIPAA Workbook

Physician Brief

Benchmarking Basics

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 hospital outpatient departments (HOPD). This lower cost is passed on to the patient in the form of lower coinsurance.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery

HOPD

$

ASC

$

Cataract Removal

HOPD

$

ASC

$

Rotator Cuff Repair

HOPD

$

ASC

$

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2024 Procedure Price Lookup Comparison File, Carpal Tunnel Surgery (CPT® 64721), 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

Service Animal Policy

Does anyone have a policy for Service Animals that they would be willing to share? Specifically, do you require proof that the animal is a Service Animal? According to what I understand, an emotional support animal or therapy animal is an animal that ... Read more
Contact Lenses

What does every one do regarding contact lenses for surgical patients (not cataract patients). Does any one have a specific policy or make patients sign a waiver if they want to keep their contacts in for their procedure? If you do, would anyone mind ... Read more
AAMI standards for sterilization of instruments

Does anyone know if you can have the colored tape around the instruments when you are processing instruments? The AAMI standards we looked at doesn't address that issue? ------------------------------ Debbie Smith Administrator Heart of Texas Surgery ... Read more
ASC Waiting Area

Does anyone have a Policy and/or a Notice regarding children in the waiting room? Our Facility does not do procedures on anyone under the age of 18. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide. ------------------------------ Candy Paquette ... Read more