June 4, 2026: KNG Consulting NEW REPORT:  MASSIVE MEDICARE SAVINGS, PAST AND FUTURE, WHEN PROCEDURES PERFORMED IN AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTERS

KNG Consulting, LLC recently published a report, Medicare Savings From Use of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, 2019-2024, a follow-up to a similar 2019 study.  The study demonstrates that ASCs have been a driving force in saving billions of dollars for the Medicare program and that this trend will continue over the next decade.  This report was prepared for the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA).  It should provide OOSS, ASCA and the other ASC and ophthalmology organizations with meaningful evidence to share with federal policy makers as we seek increased payment for services furnished in our facilities.

A few highlights:

• From 2019-2024, the Medicare savings generated by procedures performed in ASCs instead of hospitals totaled $27.9 billion.
  • Cataract and related services accounted for $12.26 billion, or 37 percent, of the savings to the Medicare program over this period of time.  
• For the period 2025-2034, ASCs are projected to save the Medicare program $125 billion.
  • Over the next decade, cataract and related services are expected to account for 27.9 percent of these savings. 
• For the period 2019-2034, ophthalmic surgical services have accounted for and will represent $25 billion in savings to Medicare.

What does this tell us about the past and future savings associated with cataract and other ophthalmic services furnished in ASCs? It is beyond dispute that the patient health and safety standards applied to ASCs are rigorous and that the surgery center is the most appropriate site for eye surgery.  The KNG report also confirms what we have always known — that you, by developing and utilizing the ophthalmic facility, have saved and will continue to conserve Medicare and our patients (in reduced cost sharing compared to hospitals) literally billions of dollars each year.

The data and conclusions embodied in this important report will greatly assist us in our efforts to achieve reasonable increases in Medicare ASC payments for our centers in 2027 and beyond.  The 2027 ASC reimbursement proposal will be published in July and we will call on OOSS members to participate in our lobbying efforts.

We recommend that you read the report:  https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/ASCACONNECT/975a33fe-e4b9-41ad-92b4-8f6bbfc25293/UploadedImages/documents/regulatory/medicare/2026/KNG_Health_-_ASCA_-_Medicare_Savings_Final_Report.pdf  

Should you have any questions, please contact OOSS Washington Counsel Michael Romansky at mromansky@OOSS.org.