ASCAC Affirms Findings from the Society of Actuaries: Patients Need Price and Quality Information to Help Control Spending

Washington, D.C., July 28, 2010 – The Society of Actuaries (SOA) recently released findings from two surveys which found that increased transparency across the healthcare system is key to reducing health care costs. The survey respondents – over 1,600 consumers and actuaries – cited that increased transparency between physicians, their patients and comparative data about the cost and quality of patient care could help consumers make more informed decisions about where to receive medical care and in effect, help to reduce health care costs for the individual and the health system.

The Ambulatory Surgery Center Advocacy Committee (ASCAC) applauds the SOA’s research and affirms their findings.  Recently, the ASCAC testified before Congress in support of “The Patient’s Right to Know Act” (H.R. 4803), legislation that would require all healthcare facilities to report comparable quality and pricing information to enable consumers to make informed decisions about their medical care. There is significant variation in the price of healthcare services, and increased transparency across health settings will allow patients and their physicians to choose the highest quality, lowest priced setting appropriate for their care.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) specialize in providing important surgical and preventive services in an outpatient setting and often are the most cost effective setting for care. On average, Medicare patients can save more than 50 percent on out-of-pocket costs when having a procedure at an ASC, and the Medicare program can save approximately 40 percent annually.

To learn more about the SOA surveys click here.

About the Ambulatory Surgery Center Advocacy Committee
Ambulatory Surgery Centers are health care facilitates that specialize in providing important surgical and preventive services in an outpatient setting. With approximately 5,300 Medicare-certified facilities throughout the country, ASCs perform more than 25 million surgeries per year. The Ambulatory Surgery Center Advocacy Committee is working on behalf of the industry to raise awareness of the important role that ASCs play in the health care system and the high-quality, cost-effective care that ASCs provide. The ASCAC includes the national and state ASC associations as well as representatives of all types of ASC operators and physicians. For more information about ASCs, visit www.advancingsurgicalcare.com.