Accreditation & Standards

ASC quality and safety in the United States is regulated by several rigorous and independent processes including Medicare certification, state licensure and voluntary accreditation. 

There are more than 5,200 Medicare-certified ASCs throughout the country. These ASCs have met the health and safety standards set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which are recognized as the foundation for protecting the health and safety of beneficiaries. To meet CMS’ conditions for Medicare coverage, the facility must:  

• Have a governing body that assumes full legal responsibility for determining, implementing, and monitoring policies governing the ASC’s total operation 

• Develop, implement and maintain an ongoing, data-driven quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) program
• Operate an ongoing infection control program based on nationally recognized infection control guidelines that is designed to prevent, control, and investigate infections and communicable diseases
• Disclose to the patient any physician financial interest or ownership in the ASC prior to the date of the patient’s procedure

To obtain Medicare certification, and usually to obtain a state license, an ASC must have an inspection conducted by a state official or a representative of an organization that the government has authorized to conduct that inspection. These inspectors conduct on-site inspections and ensure that the ASC meets all standards. 

In addition to state and Medicare standards, many ASCs seek voluntary accreditation from one of four accrediting bodies, which are recognized by CMS for their high standards of quality care. These include the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the American Association for Accreditation for Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). 

The federal and state regulations and standards serve as a baseline to regulate the safety and quality of services provided in the ASC setting. As an industry, ASCs are going beyond these standards and independently developing quality measures in an effort to promote transparency and reinforce the industry’s high standards for safety and quality patient care. Click here for additional details on the ASC Quality Collaboration.

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