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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.

Education, Programs & Services

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Covnention Center

ASCA 2025 Conference & Expo

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Denver, CO

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Clinical & Operational Benchmarking

2023 Q2 reports now available

Salary & Benefits

2023 reports now available

ASC Focus Magazine - August 2023

ASC Focus Magazine

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

Digital edition sponsored by

A happy patient with his family

One World Surgery Partnership

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

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

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

  • Hello, I'm reviewing our DVT policy, which includes utilizing the Caprini Risk scale on a specific population of surgical patients. Is anyone willing to share their policy, specifically a score threshold of "high risk" and actions taken? Thank you ... Read more

  • Just wondering if anyone is using any electronic instrument tracking systems in their ASCs that they really like? We have looked at several, but many are quite expensive and much more expansive than our clients need. So just wondering what is working ... Read more

  • Looking for a Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner DOP. Thank you ------------------------------ Kail Tinker RN Administrator Surgery Center of North Central Ohio Norwalk OH ------------------------------ Read more

  • Can anyone advise on how precise a surgical consent is required to be in accordance with the law and accreditation standards? Some of our physicians who have always worded options for procedures on cases where the actual procedure was unclear as a versus ... Read more

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