Q. Are ASCs subject to regulation?

A. Yes, ASCs are some of the most highly regulated health care providers in the country. Medicare has certified 85 percent of the centers. All states except one require ASCs to be licensed. The Missouri Dept. of Health specifies the criteria that Missouri ASCs must meet for licensure. Both the state and Medicare survery ASCs regularly to verify that the established standards are being met. In addition to state and federal inspections, nearly all surgery centers choose to complete a voluntary accreditation process conducted by their peers. ASCs that want to demonstrate a commitment to quality can see accreditation from one of four accrediting bodies. All four are recognizd by Medicare for their rigorous adherence to the highest standards of quality care. All accredited ASCs must meet specific standards that are evaluated during on-site inspections. As a result, patients visiting accredited ASCs can be assured that the centers provide the highest quality care.

Q. Does the federal government sanction ASCs?

A. Yes. Since 1982, when Medicare agreed to pay for surgeries performed in ASCs, the program has saved a significant amount of money. ASCs that receive Medicare payments must meet the programs certification criteria and receive payments only for those procedures that have been approved by Medicare. Today, more than 2,400 ASC procedures have been granted that approval. The Office of Inspector General commented in its 1999 final rule regarding safe harbor provisions that “ASCs can signficantly reduce costs for Federal health care programs, while simultaneously benefiting patients.” CMS has promoted the use of ASCs as cost-effective alternatives to higher cost settings, such as hospital inpatient surgery.

Q. How long have ASCs been in existence?

A. The first ASC opened in 1970. Today, more than 7 million surgeries are performed each year in the more than 3,300 surgery centers across the United States.

Q. What are Ambulatory Surgery Centers?

A. ASCs are facilities were surgeries that do not require hospital admission are performed. They provide a cost-effective and convenient environment that may be less stressful than what many hospitals offer. Particular ASCs may perform surgeries in a variety of specialties or dedicate their services to one specialty, such as eye care. Patients who elect to have surgery in an ASC arrive on the day of the procedure, have the surgery in an operating room, recover under the care of the nursing staff, and go home the same day, all without a hospital admission.