Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. An ambulatory surgery center, or outpatient surgery center, as it is sometimes called, is a facility where same-day or outpatient procedures are performed.

There are several benefits to ambulatory surgery centers like the Ames Surgery Center, including the following:

• Patient satisfaction — They have high patient satisfaction due to quality outcomes, patient convenience, and lower costs. 
• Cost — Ambulatory surgery centers are typically more affordable than hospitals because they have less overhead expense than hospitals. They can specialize in a few procedures only and don’t have to be prepared for any and all emergency situations. Procedures can cost 40 to 60 percent less than hospital surgeries. 
• Convenience and accessibility — Surgery centers are typically located in smaller buildings, in comparison to hospitals, and things like parking and wayfinding are easier to navigate. 
• Scheduling — Because ambulatory surgery centers are solely focused on same-day surgery, more efficient scheduling practices and workflows can be adopted. This benefits both patients and the physicians who work there.

The State of Iowa recently adopted legislation requiring a license for an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). In addition, if a facility treats Medicare patients, the ASC must be Medicare-certified. Many times, and in the case of the Ames Surgery Center, an ASC will also achieve accreditation. The Ames Surgery Center will be accredited through the American Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). The State of Iowa, Medicare, and AAAHC ensure the ASC is following the required standards to provide safe, high-quality health care. These requirements evaluate the building and system safety, standards for the health care providers working at the facility, and national standards for the delivery of safe care.

Because the Ames Surgery Center will be pursuing Medicare certification, it is required to have a small number of procedures performed and then surveyed. This will occur during the period covering November 7, 2024, through the end of 2024. Once Medicare certification has been achieved, Medicare beneficiaries can be seen at the ASC. We anticipate that will occur in early January 2025. After Medicare certification is received, the surgery center can then start seeing commercial payers like United Healthcare and Wellmark of Iowa.

Same-day procedures that do not require hospital services can be performed at the Ames Surgery Center. When the center is fully operational, a variety of procedures will be performed there, including ENT, gastroenterology, general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, podiatry and foot & ankle surgery, and urology. See our Specialties for more information.

The State of Iowa recently adopted legislation requiring a license. In addition, if a facility treats Medicare patients, it must be Medicare-certified. The Ames Surgery Center will be accredited through the American Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). The state, Medicare, and the AAAHC ensure the ASC is following the required standards to provide safe, high-quality healthcare. These requirements evaluate the building and system safety, standards for the healthcare providers working at the facility, and national standards for the delivery of safe care.

The ASC has specific patient medical selection criteria. Patients who have complex medical needs or do not meet the criteria must have their surgery within a hospital setting. The surgery might not require an overnight stay, but the patient’s medical conditions may require increased monitoring at a hospital. The physician will ensure the most appropriate facility is selected based on the patient’s medical and surgical needs.

We encourage you to visit with your provider about the most appropriate facility for your procedure. Factors influencing a surgeon’s decision regarding medical complexity could include age, weight, or other comorbidities. Our overall goal is to honor patient choice and deliver high-quality healthcare in the most appropriate setting.

This would be a rare occurrence. If something like this did happen, an ambulance would be called, and the patient would be transported to the hospital’s Emergency Department for further evaluation and treatment.

The billing process is similar to having surgery at Mary Greeley Medical Center. When you have a procedure performed at the Ames Surgery Center, you will receive a bill from the ASC, the anesthesia provider (if receiving anesthesia), and the provider who performed the surgery.