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    ASC Site-of-Service Shift

    Migration of procedures from hospitals to ambulatory surgery centers.

    Reviewed by Christian Espinosa, Founder, Blue Goat CyberLast reviewed May 5, 2026

    Definition

    Many procedures historically performed inpatient have shifted to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) as CMS expanded the ASC-payable procedure list and as physician-owned ASC economics drove adoption - most visibly in orthopedics (total joints) and cardiology.

    What this means in practice

    Site-of-service shift compresses device pricing power: ASC payments are typically 60% of HOPD rates. Capital, capital-equipment, and disposables strategies must adapt to ASC budgets.

    Primary references

    3 sources
    Link health: 2 verified 1 bot-blocked· last checked 2026-05-09
    CMS·1AMA·1AdvaMed·1
    1. 1
      CMS ASC payment
      Verified
      CMScms.gov
    2. 2
      AMA CPT Resources
      Bot-blocked
      AMAama-assn.org
    3. 3
      AdvaMed - Payment & Coverage
      Verified
      AdvaMedadvamed.org

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