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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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ASC Focus: May 2024

Welcome, New Graduates

May 10, 2024

2024 National Nurses Week

2024 National Nurses Week

May 6, 2024

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ASCA Opposes FTC’s Ban on Noncompete Agreements

May 3, 2024

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Important Dates in May

May 1, 2024

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New Podcast Episode: Cybersecurity for Surgery Centers

April 29, 2024

ASC Physician Brief: Spring 2024

ASC Physician Brief: Spring 2024

March 27, 2024

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
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Clinical & Operational Benchmarking

2023 Q2 reports now available

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Salary & Benefits

2023 reports now available

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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

  • Paper Charting

    Who currently charts on paper? We are starting up 2 ASCs and experiencing a gap between EHR implementation and opening. How do we open on paper? does anyone have paper charting packets they can share for all aspects of operations? ... Read more

  • Pediatric Cases

    We're a small pediatric surgery center and looking to expand possibly add ENT cases. Is anyone who is already doing pediatric ENT willing to share some info like case times, volume expectations, etc. Would really appreciate some advice. Thanks! ------------------------------ ... Read more

  • CBG data reporting

    Is it required to submit data to CMS on diabetic patients? For example, if a CBG is taken in pre-op and post-op for a patient with a known history of diabetes? Or was this quality measure removed from the mandatory reporting list? ------------------------------ ... Read more

  • TOTAL JOINT PROGRAM

    Hello ASCA Members, We are in the process of doing a total shoulder and a uni knee and have a few questions. Can anyone share their policies specific to doing total or partial joints with us? We are also wondering if you have a specific policy ... Read more

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