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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Recruiting, Retaining and Evaluating ASC Staff

June 30, 2025

Meet the ASCA Board: Q&A with Mark Wainner

June 27, 2025

Sg2 Forecasts Significant Growth in ASC Volume

June 27, 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

Implants

Good Morning I wonder if you can share feedback on billing for surgeries with implants, such as hernia repairs and slings, are you using an add on code? are you getting reimbursed for the supplies? Implants are part of our high- value items. Are you ... Read more
Ophthalmology Pre-Op Charting

Hello all, I'm looking for insights on pre-op charting efficiencies in the ASC. One of our newer centers does a high volume of cataract surgeries and other eye cases. As we've switched over from paper charting to an EMR system, there are three items ... Read more
Anesthesia coverage

Is anyone noticing an increasing rise in anesthesiologists requiring stipends on "less than desirable" payer mixes? It seems to be most groups in the valley and it is becoming more and more difficult to find coverage for Ortho and Total Joint patients. ... Read more
Terminal cleaning in the OR

Do you all mop the whole ceiling in the OR's as part of the terminal cleaning at the end of each day? (We used to do our own room turnovers and terminal cleaning and we did, but now that we have gotten busy we have hired Environmental Services staff ... Read more