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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ASC Focus: November-December Issue Now Available

November 7, 2025

ASCA Chief Advocacy Officer Featured on Industry Podcast

November 3, 2025

Register Now to Save on ASCA + SAMBA 2026

October 16, 2025

Analysis of CMS’ 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

November 6, 2025

Education, Programs & Services

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center

May 13–16, 2026

ASCA 2026 Conference & Expo

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Washington, DC

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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

Q2 Reports Available August 15

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Salary & Benefits

2025 Reports Now Available

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

Anne Haddix

Administrator

Southwest Surgical Suites

“When I first entered the ASC community, I wanted to align with an organization that advocates for our field and provides the resources and education needed to help me grow and better support my team. ASCA has been that organization.”

ASCA Connect, a Community for Surgery Center Professionals

ASCA member conversations happening now

Vascular surgeon for Spine cases

Hello! For freestanding ASCs doing spine. When performing ALIF, OLIF or LLIF, do you require the presence of a vascular surgeon as part of the surgical team or immediately available on call? or this is not required as part of your protocol? ------------------------------ ... Read more
CDC Mandate for COVID -19 NHSN reporting

Does anyone know if the proposed discontinuation of the CDC mandate for the NHSN COVID-19 reportable ASC-20 COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care personnel has been approved for removal? Are we still required to report for ASC-20? I know ... Read more
Ophthalmic Patient Attire at multispecialty ASC

Multispecialty ASC's doing ophthalmic procedures, what is your protocol for those patients attire? Do you undress them or can they keep their clothes under the surgical gown to enter into the OR? ------------------------------ Viviana Lopez Compliance ... Read more
Pre- Op Lab Work

We are an Orthopedic Specialty ASC. Our current requirement for pre-op labs and H&P is 30 days. Does anyone know if this is a CMS requirement? I would be interested to know if anyone's policy is 45 days. ------------------------------ Tara Bozo ... Read more