Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Medicare Coverage

Patients today have more options than ever when seeking treatment for health issues. In fact, there are so many choices for care that many patients aren’t even aware of them all. Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are examples of these options that are available.

If you aren’t familiar with ASCs, then you should take the time to learn about them. Doing so could provide you with a better care outcome while also saving you money. Keep reading to learn more.

What Is an Ambulatory Surgery Center?

ASCs are a modern addition to the healthcare industry. They focus on providing patients with same-day surgical care. This includes both diagnostic and preventive procedures. Some individuals confuse ASCs with urgent care centers. However, it would be a mistake to equate these two types of treatment centers.

Urgent care centers are small, independent physician offices that offer both primary care and minor emergency care. ASCs offer more intensive care than this. The same-day surgical care offered by ASCs is what makes them a treatment center that can’t be lumped together with any other.

When Should a Patient Use an Ambulatory Surgery Center?

There are many different scenarios when using an ASC could be the right move for you. Generally speaking, patients who use Medicare health insurance should almost always use an ASC if it’s medically possible to do so.

That’s because studies have shown that Medicare patients pay 72% more for a procedure that takes place in a hospital’s outpatient center than they do for the same treatment in an ASC. That’s a massive difference that could save you hundreds. Even better, the low costs offered by ASCs also save Medicare itself money. Studies have found that when patients choose ASCs over hospitals in large enough numbers, Medicare can save about $2.6 billion annually.

That being said, an ASC won’t always be the right choice for your care. If you need intensive surgical procedures done, then sticking with a hospital may be the right choice given their extra resources. However, most standard surgical procedures can be handled by ASCs more efficiently than hospitals.

If you need an eye procedure done, then getting it done at an ASC is almost a no-brainer. Eye surgeries are the ones that are most often performed by ASCs. This includes LASIK, glaucoma treatment, and cataract surgery. Other areas that ASCs specialize in include colonoscopies, endoscopies, and minimally invasive knee, hand, and elbow surgeries.

ASCs and Your Medicare Coverage

Ultimately, most patients who choose ASCs do so to save themselves both time and money. Part of that is making sure that your Medicare health insurance will cover the costs of your treatment at an ASC. Medicare does cover the facility services fees related to approved surgical procedures provided in ASCs. However, it can be difficult to know exactly what you’ll pay without professional guidance.

If you’d like to verify your Medicare coverage as it relates to ASCs, then consider reaching out to a partnered licensed agent with Time for 65. You can do so today by either filling out this form or giving us a call. We hope to hear from you soon.