Ambulatory Surgery Centers Are More Cost Effective According to Study

A recent study conducted by Healthcare Bluebook, in collaboration with HealthSmart and the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, has found that using ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) for common procedures can significantly reduce the cost of outpatient surgery. The study analyzed over 400,000 individuals with health coverage across the US in 2014. They concluded that ASC prices were significantly lower than hospital outpatient prices for the same procedures. Therefore, patients who chose an ASC over a hospital outpatient facility saved more than $5 billion annually in out-of-pocket costs! Plus, payers, including self-funded employers, saved even more.

Annual Healthcare Cost Savings of $41 Billion Possible

According to the researchers, if the remaining 52% of procedures that can be performed in an ASC were actually performed in one, a whopping $41 billion in healthcare costs could be saved annually. While a small percentage of patients require outpatient care to be received in proximity to a full-service hospital. The study shows that patients receive the same level of care at a lower cost by seeking treatment in an ASC. Thanks to advances in medical technology and pain control, increasingly complex procedures, such as total joint replacements, are now performed in an outpatient setting.

Study Recommends Strategies for Prioritizing Efficient Outpatient Care and Lowering Healthcare Costs

The study advises policymakers, insurers, and employers to develop strategies that prioritize the most efficient site of service for outpatient care. Plan design features could include in-network tiers based on the quality of health services provided as shown by clinical evidence. This also includes the average cost for procedures by facility. Therefore, by utilizing lower-cost ASC providers in their existing networks, both employers and consumers can realize substantial savings.

In conclusion, the study highlights the significant cost savings associated with utilizing ASCs for common procedures. And it also emphasizes the need for policymakers and insurers to prioritize these cost-effective alternatives whenever possible. By doing so, both employers and consumers can realize substantial savings in out-of-pocket costs. While also contributing to the larger goal of reducing healthcare expenditures in the US.

Providing Premier Patient Care at South Florida’s Premier Same Day Ambulatory Surgery Center

Through quality care, strict compliance, and the utmost professionalism, the surgery center aims to be the premier ambulatory surgery center in South Florida. South Florida’s premier same day ambulatory surgery center strives to recruit, train, and retain the most qualified physicians, nurses, and support staff that meet industry standards of excellence. Plus, we are committed to continuous quality patient care by remaining up to date with the latest research, technology, and treatments. So Flo Same Day outpatient center offers innovate healthcare by providing practical and cost-effective surgical procedures.

South Florida Same Day Surgery Center serves Pompano Beach and South Florida, offering state-of-the-art ambulatory outpatient surgical services. If you are a surgeon considering a move to an ASC, evaluate the specific needs of your practice and patients. South Florida Same Day Surgery Center is a state-of-the-art facility with specialized staff and lower costs. Visit our new office located in