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
| Rank | HCPCS/CPT code | HCPCS/CPT description | % total charges | Average charge per procedure | Explore dataset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 66984 | Xcapsl Ctrc Rmvl w/o Ecp | 8.90% | $3,782 | Explore |
| 2 | 45380 | Colonoscopy and biopsy | 4.30% | $1,977 | Explore |
| 3 | 43239 | Egd biopsy single/multiple | 4.10% | $1,774 | Explore |
| 4 | 45385 | Colonoscopy w/lesion removal | 4.00% | $1,941 | Explore |
| 5 | 27447 | Total knee arthroplasty | 3.60% | $31,676 | Explore |
| 6 | 27130 | Total hip arthroplasty | 2.30% | $34,444 | Explore |
| 7 | 45378 | Diagnostic colonoscopy | 2.30% | $1,880 | Explore |
| 8 | 29827 | Sho Arthrs Srg Rt8Tr Cuf Rpr | 1.50% | $10,396 | Explore |
| 9 | 64483 | Njx Aa&/Strd Tfrm Epi L/S 1 | 1.40% | $2,389 | Explore |
| 10 | 63685 | Insrt/redo spine N generator | 1.20% | $43,721 | Explore |
| 11 | 29881 | Knee arthroscopy/surgery | 1.20% | $6,871 | Explore |
| 12 | 63650 | Implant neuroelectrodes | 1.10% | $15,220 | Explore |
| 13 | 29826 | Sho Arthrs Srg decompression | 1.00% | $6,732 | Explore |
| 14 | 64635 | Destroy Lumb/Sac Facet Jnt | 0.90% | $3,754 | Explore |
| 15 | 64493 | Inj Paravert F Jnt L/S 1 Lev | 0.90% | $2,400 | Explore |
| 16 | 29888 | Knee arthroscopy/surgery | 0.80% | $12,373 | Explore |
| 17 | 812 | Anes Lwr Intst Scr Colsc | 0.80% | $983 | Explore |
| 18 | 30140 | Resect inferior turbinate | 0.70% | $4,958 | Explore |
| 19 | 64721 | Carpal tunnel surgery | 0.70% | $4,136 | Explore |
| 20 | 66982 | Xcapsl Ctrc Rmvl Cplx Wo Ecp | 0.70% | $3,827 | Explore |
| 21 | 69436 | Create eardrum opening | 0.70% | $3,169 | Explore |
| 22 | 142 | Anesth lens surgery | 0.70% | $768 | Explore |
| 23 | 26055 | Incise finger tendon sheath | 0.60% | $3,927 | Explore |
| 24 | 62323 | Njx Interlaminar Lmbr/Sac | 0.60% | $1,938 | Explore |
| 25 | G0121 | Colon Ca Scrn not Hi Rsk Ind | 0.60% | $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
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