Does the federal government recognize ASCs?
A. Yes, since 1982, when Medicare began reimbursing ASCs, ASCs have saved the program a significant amount of money. One study shows that, in 2005 alone, ASCs will save Medicare and its beneficiaries $1.1 billion. ASCs that receive Medicare payments must meet the program’s certification criteria and receive payments only for procedures that have been approved for reimbursement by the federal government. Today, Medicare beneficiaries can have more than 2,500 different procedures performed in an ASC. Medicare beneficiaries receive approximately 30% of the care provided in ASCs.
