New Study Finds Billions in Savings Tied to ASCs

ASCs are poised to save Medicare up to $57.6 billion over the next ten years, according to a new analysis by researchers at the prominent University of California-Berkeley Nicholas C. Petris Center on Health Care Markets and Consumer Welfare. The researchers analyzed government data between 2008 and 2011 and determined that ASCs saved Medicare $7.5 billion between the four-year span. The researchers then determined that ASCs have the potential to save the Medicare system an additional $57.6 billion over the next decade.

“With policymakers looking for ways to shore up Medicare’s finances and reduce health care spending nationwide, our analysis suggests that ASCs offer a win-win for policymakers and patients,” said Adjunct Professor Brent Fulton of the University of California at Berkeley. “Encouraging patients to seek the care they need in ASCs throughout the Medicare system should be an easy decision. Indeed, depending on the future policy environment, the savings generated by ASCs could exceed our $57.6 billion estimate.”

Next Wednesday, September 18, ASCA will be hosting a briefing on Capitol Hill to publicize the study’s findings to key decision makers. Guest speakers at the event include US Representatives Devin Nunes (R-CA) and John Larson (D-CT), the lead sponsors of the ASC Quality and Access Act of 2013 in the House.

Click here for the full press release. For more information, contact Steve Miller at smiller@ascassociation.org.