The Cost of Orthopedic Surgery: Hospital vs. ASC
When it comes to orthopedic surgery, cost is often a significant consideration for both patients and healthcare providers. As a result, many orthopedic surgeons find themselves weighing the cost factors between a hospital setting and an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) when referring their patients for care.
If you’re a surgeon looking to optimize your practice’s cost-efficiency, partnering with Queens Surgical Center could be the solution you’ve been seeking. To help explain the cost considerations between hospitals and ASCs, let’s look at some of the factors that influence orthopedic surgery costs.
Cost Factors Between ASCs and Hospitals
It’s no secret that hospitals are known for their higher costs compared to ASCs. There are several reasons behind this disparity. One common misconception is that hospitals are more expensive because they have advanced equipment or better quality of care. However, this is not always the case. The following sections will help break down some factors behind hospital costs.
Orthopedic Surgery is More Expensive at Hospitals
Orthopedic surgeries performed at hospitals often come with inflated price tags due to high overhead costs. Hospitals often encompass staffing costs, maintenance costs, and complex administrative systems that drive up the cost of procedures. These higher costs are usually passed on to patients through coinsurance.
Coinsurance refers to the portion a patient is required to pay as their share of the cost for a particular healthcare service, according to their health insurance plan. The percentage of coinsurance that the patient is required to pay will be higher when orthopedic surgery is performed at a hospital.
ASCs Typically Have Lower Overhead Costs
In contrast, ambulatory surgical centers offer a cost-effective alternative for orthopedic procedures. ASCs are purpose-built facilities tailored for outpatient surgical care. By streamlining processes, optimizing resource utilization, and reducing administrative burdens, ASCs can operate with lower overhead costs. This translates into more accessible and affordable orthopedic surgery options for patients and healthcare providers.
The Bottom Line
While hospitals tend to have higher costs due to their overhead expenses, ASCs like Queens Surgical Center offer a more cost-effective alternative without compromising the quality of care. By partnering with Queens Surgical Center, surgeons can deliver exceptional patient outcomes while enjoying the financial benefits of a streamlined, efficient facility.
Orthopedic Surgery Cost Breakdown
By performing surgery at an ASC like Queens Surgical Center, our partnering orthopedic surgeons help pass on cost savings to their patients. In the sections below, we will compare the average patient costs of some common orthopedic procedures at a hospital and an ambulatory surgical center using the Medicare Procedure Price Lookup tool.
Knee Arthroscopy
Medicare data reveals that patients undergoing knee arthroscopy at a hospital can expect to incur an average cost of $689. Opting for the same procedure at an ambulatory surgical center can reduce the financial burden to approximately $383 on average. These cost savings demonstrate the potential benefits of performing knee arthroscopy in an ASC setting, making it a compelling choice for optimizing patient care and financial considerations.
Tendon Repair
Tendon repairs are also more cost-effective when performed at an ASC. For example, an Achilles tendon repair performed at a hospital will cost a patient about $1,425, while the same procedure at an ASC reduces the cost to approximately $926. Patients searching for cost-effective orthopedic surgery options can benefit significantly from these savings.
Removal of Foreign or Loose Bodies
In the realm of orthopedic surgery, the removal of foreign or loose bodies from joints holds significant importance in restoring optimal functionality and relieving patient discomfort. This specialized procedure involves extracting foreign objects or fragments, such as bone chips, cartilage debris, or small objects, from the affected joint. In an ASC, a patient may pay $370 for an arthroscopic removal. On the other hand, the same procedure at a hospital costs roughly $676.
Increase Patient Satisfaction at Queens Surgical Center
Choosing an ambulatory surgical center to perform orthopedic surgery can have a variety of financial and practical advantages. Queens Surgical Center is dedicated to delivering superior patient outcomes while providing cost-effective care.
If you’re a surgeon looking to enhance your practice’s cost-efficiency and patient outcomes, partnering with Queens Surgical Center is a strategic choice. Leveraging our state-of-the-art facility, advanced technologies, and experienced staff can help ensure your patients receive the best care available. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your goals.