UnitedHealth Group Inc.
08/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/21/2025 07:18
The future of care: Ambulatory Surgery Centers deliver faster care, lower costs and better outcomes
An Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) isn't just a place - it's a feeling. For patients like Ben J., who came in for a pacemaker procedure, it's the comfort of knowing he's in expert hands, without the stress and complexity of a hospital stay. "I can't believe an outpatient experience could run any more smoothly than this one did," Ben said. "Drive in, get your pacemaker, go home. It was almost like going to the dentist - it was that smooth."
For providers, it's the fulfillment of a long-held dream: delivering high-quality cardiovascular care in a setting that's safe, efficient and deeply personal. ASCs are transforming health care by putting patients first and making care more accessible, more affordable and more human.
Between the lines: ASCs are specialized facilities designed for patients who need surgery but do not need an extended hospital stay - typically defined as less than 24 hours. They're held to the same rigorous safety and accreditation standards as hospitals, they're quality driven and often deliver care that's more efficient and more affordable.
A different kind of surgical experience
"An ASC is a licensed outpatient surgical facility," explains Marie Edler, chief growth officer at SCA Health, one of the nation's largest ASC networks. "Most patients walk in and walk out the same day. It's designed for healthy patients who need a surgical episode - not for those who are acutely ill."
A coordinated, seamless design makes a big difference. At an ASC, patients typically park right outside the building, check in and are guided through a streamlined process that prioritizes comfort and efficiency. "It's a smaller environment where the staff is solely focused on outpatient surgical care," Edler says. "From the front desk to post-op, everything is about getting the patient in and out safely and comfortably."
Dr. John Nelson, medical director and chief of staff of Kelsey-Seybold's ambulatory surgery centers in Texas, agrees. "We've had patients see their primary care doctor in the morning, get an ultrasound to confirm a diagnosis, see a surgeon, have surgery and be home by 4 p.m. the same day. That kind of efficiency and coordination is shocking to patients. They are unbelievably appreciative."
Lower costs, higher satisfaction
One of the biggest advantages of ASCs is the cost. "The same procedure costs 30% less in a hospital outpatient department and 40% less in a freestanding ASC when compared to a hospital, Dr. Nelson says. "If we can do the same procedure with a better experience and lower cost, why wouldn't we?"
Julie Jacobson, director of ASCs for Optum Care Washington, notes that ASCs charge a facility fee, unlike hospitals that bill item by item. "It's much more cost-effective," she says. "And outcomes tend to be better in an outpatient setting, where patients come in healthy and leave healthy."
Yes, and: Despite their smaller size, ASCs are tightly regulated. "We're state licensed, Medicare certified and accredited by national bodies like the Joint Commission," says Edler. "We also report quality data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid programs and sets national standards for care, and benchmark ourselves against peers."
Jacobson emphasizes the importance of patient selection. "We have strict criteria to ensure patients are healthy enough for outpatient surgery. Safety is built into the process."
And when emergencies do happen, ASCs are ready. Jacobson recalls a rare case of malignant hyperthermia - a potentially deadly reaction to anesthesia. "Our team recognized it immediately and followed protocol. Their reaction to this event had a positive impact on the patient's outcome. It was incredible."
What's more: Surgeons benefit from ASCs as much as patients do. "Getting an operating room ready between surgeries can take many times longer at a hospital than it does at an ASC," says Dr. Nelson. "At our ASC, it's six minutes. That saves hours in a surgeon's day and improves their quality of life."
Jacobson adds that ASCs foster a tight-knit, collaborative environment. "It's usually a smaller team working with the providers, which creates a more family-like culture. They work well together."
The bottom line
ASCs are central to the shift toward value-based care - health care that rewards better outcomes at lower costs.
"You can't practice value-based care without considering site of service," says Dr. Nelson. "The right patient, right operation, right time, right location - that's what ASCs are all about."
Edler agrees. "ASCs are a tremendous part of delivering lower-cost, higher-quality care. They're not just a trend. They're a critical part of the health care ecosystem."
UnitedHealth Group Inc. published this content on August 21, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 21, 2025 at 13:19 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]