Editorial Commentary: Cost Savings Related to Ambulatory Surgery Center Use Almost Exclusively Benefit the Payor

Abstract

Use of ambulatory surgery centers for orthopaedic procedures has been on the rise. The cost of any given ambulatory procedure tends to be less at an ambulatory surgery center than at a hospital outpatient department. People may assume that these cost savings benefit the patient, but recent research using claims and reimbursement databases shows minimal patient out-of-pocket cost reduction, and this minimal reduction is gradually increasing. The research also shows lower surgeon and facility reimbursement. The payor primarily benefits. The explanation probably lies in the fact that for procedures such as hip arthroscopy, patients are likely to meet their deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums regardless of venue, and any cost reduction for these types of procedures almost exclusively benefits the payor. Compounding this, increasing deductibles and copayment requirements, as have been prevalent in recent years, likely contribute to overall increased patient out-of-pocket expenditures seen over time.