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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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What Should Medicare Add to the ASC Covered Procedures List?

January 23, 2025

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Submit a Presentation Proposal for ASCA 2026

January 23, 2025

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Administrator Development Program Applications Due January 31

January 17, 2025

ASCA’s Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey

Submit Your Q4 2024 Benchmarking Data Today!

January 17, 2025

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New Wrong-Site Surgery Prevention Toolkit Gaining in Popularity

January 17, 2025

Coding & Reimbursement for ASCs Virtual Course

2025 Coding Virtual Course Now Available On Demand!

January 15, 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

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 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

  • Post-Operative Urinary Retention (POUR)

    We are pursuing a potential QAPI on Post-Operative Urinary Retention (POUR) in our multi-specialty ASC. We are performing our literature search and are looking to see if anyone out there has any risk assessment tools, procedures, flowcharts, order sets, ... Read more

  • Eyewash Inspection Check

    Good morning. Looking for insight on the inspection of eyewash stations. Is this to be checked once per month or once per week? ------------------------------ Crista Leija, BSN, RN Director of Nursing Eye Surgery Center of Michigan Troy, Michigan ... Read more

  • Required Education

    Can you all tell me what education platform do you use and does it have all the requirements for ASC's for CMS? I have been using Health Stream and I am finding some courses hard to find. I am considering changing to make sure I stay in compliance. Thanks ... Read more

  • Service Animals

    Service Animals allowed in an ASC? ------------------------------ Erica Stark BSN RN North Memorial Ambulatory Surgery Center at Maple Grove Maple Grove MN 763.581.9065 ------------------------------ Read more

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