Ambulatory Surgical Center (Ambulatory Surgical Facility)

Ambulatory or "outpatient" surgery facilities may be identified in Ohio as either Ambulatory Surgical Centers which is the federal name or Ambulatory Surgical Facilities which is the state name.  An ambulatory surgical center, (ASC) may be either hospital-operated or independent. If hospital-operated, the ASC must be a separately identified entity, physically and administratively distinct from other inpatient operations of the hospital. Procedures done in an ASC generally do not exceed 90 minutes in length and do not require more than four hours of recovery time. An ASC may not provide a surgical procedure on a Medicare patient when, before surgery, an overnight hospital stay is anticipated. In cases where hospitalization after surgery is warranted, the ASC must be able to effect the immediate transfer of the patient to a hospital. ASCs in Ohio are required to be licensed by ODH as an Ambulatory Surgical Facility (ASF), state name, under section 3702.30 of the Ohio Revised Code. Beyond normal surgical procedures, ASFs may also be laser eye clinics, abortion clinics, or pain management clinics. Federal standards for Medicare certification of surgical centers are found at 42 CFR Part 416. A state-licensed ASF may or may not opt for Medicare-certification. ASCs are not currently subject to an annual survey visit, but are surveyed consistent with a percentage of total state universe as set by the Medicare budget each Federal Fiscal Year.  Non-Medicare certified ASFs are inspected as the director of health considers necessary to determine compliance with the applicable requirements for licensing.

Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Health
Community Health Care Facilities & Services
246 North High Street, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Telephone: (614) 995-7466
Fax: (614) 387-2763

E-mail: community@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated: 06/18/08

                                              ODH Programs / Community Health Care Facilities & Services