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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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Latest News

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New Administrator Development Program Graduates

October 3, 2023

Benchmarking 2023 Q3 Data Submission Now Open

October 1, 2023

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Important Dates in October

October 1, 2023

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ASCs Making an Effort to Be Price Transparent

September 29, 2023

New Podcast Episode: “Medicare Patients Deserve a Choice: The Case for Safe, Effective, Cost-Saving Shoulder Surgery in ASCs”

September 28, 2023

ASC Physician Brief: Fall 2023

ASC Physician Brief: Fall 2023

September 27, 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

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

  • Outlet Testing

    Looking for clarification around who can perform the required electrical outlet testing? Does it require an electrician or can most facilities management team members perform the test? Does it require special testing equipment? Thank you ------------------------------ ... Read more

  • job description for nurse manager

    Good morning! Would any of you be willing to share your job description for your nurse manager position? We are a 3 room OR, 1 procedure room. We primarily do ortho, endoscopy and some general surgery. Thank you! Michele Peterson, ... Read more

  • Dental Services

    I'd like to know if anyone has Dental providers working in their ASC ? We have dentists who are interested in doing pediatric/special needs patients and bill Medicaid. Not quite sure how this would work at an ASC re: coding, etc. I'd appreciate any insight. ... Read more

  • Peer Review

    Has anyone had success in using a non-chart review process for peer review. Everything I have found is centered around chart reviews, but the standards are not prescriptive in saying that is what is required. We are a AAAHC certified Center. Please ... Read more