Healthcare Insights

Top 25 most common ASC procedures by percent of total charges

Created in 1970, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are modern healthcare facilities that provide outpatient surgical care for procedures that do not require hospital admission. ASCs are highly regulated by states and by CMS to ensure high-quality care. The combination of high-quality care and lower costs makes them an attractive alternative for both patients and hospital systems.

ASCs represent one of the fastest-growing areas of the outpatient care market. Using SurgeryCenterView, we compiled a list of the top 25 most common ambulatory surgery center procedures performed in 2022 and ranked them by percent of total charges for all services made for that year.

Most common ASC procedures by percent of total charges

RankHCPCS/CPT codeHCPCS/CPT description% total chargesAverage charge per procedureExplore dataset
166984Xcapsl Ctrc Rmvl w/o Ecp8.90%$3,782 Explore
245380Colonoscopy and biopsy4.30%$1,977 Explore
343239Egd biopsy single/multiple4.10%$1,774 Explore
445385Colonoscopy w/lesion removal4.00%$1,941 Explore
527447Total knee arthroplasty3.60%$31,676 Explore
627130Total hip arthroplasty2.30%$34,444 Explore
745378Diagnostic colonoscopy2.30%$1,880 Explore
829827Sho Arthrs Srg Rt8Tr Cuf Rpr1.50%$10,396 Explore
964483Njx Aa&/Strd Tfrm Epi L/S 11.40%$2,389 Explore
1063685Insrt/redo spine N generator1.20%$43,721 Explore
1129881Knee arthroscopy/surgery1.20%$6,871 Explore
1263650Implant neuroelectrodes1.10%$15,220 Explore
1329826Sho Arthrs Srg decompression1.00%$6,732 Explore
1464635Destroy Lumb/Sac Facet Jnt0.90%$3,754 Explore
1564493Inj Paravert F Jnt L/S 1 Lev0.90%$2,400 Explore
1629888Knee arthroscopy/surgery0.80%$12,373 Explore
17812Anes Lwr Intst Scr Colsc0.80%$983 Explore
1830140Resect inferior turbinate0.70%$4,958 Explore
1964721Carpal tunnel surgery0.70%$4,136 Explore
2066982Xcapsl Ctrc Rmvl Cplx Wo Ecp0.70%$3,827 Explore
2169436Create eardrum opening0.70%$3,169 Explore
22142Anesth lens surgery0.70%$768 Explore
2326055Incise finger tendon sheath0.60%$3,927 Explore
2462323Njx Interlaminar Lmbr/Sac0.60%$1,938 Explore
25G0121Colon Ca Scrn not Hi Rsk Ind0.60%$1,663 Explore

Fig. 1 – Data is from the Definitive Healthcare Atlas All Payor Claims Dataset for the calendar year 2022. Claims data is sourced from multiple medical claims clearinghouses in the United States and is updated monthly. Data accessed July 2023.

Which ASC procedures have the most charges?

The procedure with the highest percentage of total charges on our list is an extracapsular cataract removal without endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (CPT code 66984). It accounted for 8.9% of total charges at ambulatory surgery centers in 2022. This code is used to describe a complex cataract surgery where the cataract is removed, and an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted. It involves advanced techniques or the use of specialized devices not typically used in routine cataract surgery.

In second place is CPT code 45380, a diagnostic colonoscopy with biopsy. In this procedure, a flexible tube with a camera is advanced into the colon to visualize the inner lining of the large intestine. The procedure accounted for 4.3% of all charges in 2022. This procedure is commonly used to diagnose various gastrointestinal conditions, including colorectal cancer, polyps, inflammation, and other abnormalities.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsy (CPT code 43239) is third on our list. The procedure accounted for 4.1% of total charges. An EGD uses an endoscope inserted through the mouth and into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum to examine the upper gastrointestinal tract for inflammation, ulcers, tumors, or other conditions.

What surgeries are performed in an ASC?

ASCs can perform a wide range of surgical procedures that do not involve complex interventions or prolonged recovery times. Some surgeries performed in ASCs include:

  • Orthopedics: Arthroscopic procedures for the knee, shoulder, or other joints, and carpal tunnel release
  • Ophthalmology: Cataract surgery, corneal procedures, and other eye surgeries
  • Gastroenterology: Colonoscopy, endoscopy, and certain types of hernia repairs
  • Ear, nose, and throat (ENT): Tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and sinus surgery
  • Cosmetic surgeries: Rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and abdominoplasty
  • Urology: Prostate biopsies, kidney stone removal, and cystoscopy 
  • Gynecology: Tubal ligation, endometrial ablation, and cervical biopsy
  • Podiatry: Bunion surgery, ingrown toenail removal, and other foot and ankle procedures

Learn more

Healthcare Insights are developed with healthcare commercial intelligence from the Definitive Healthcare platform. Want even more insights? Start a free trial now and get access to the latest healthcare commercial intelligence on hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers.