View all ambulatory surgical center-related articles >>

Spotlight

• ASC payment system - July 2025 update
• Core-based statistical areas for ASCs
  Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) need to know their CBSA code in order to determine the correct fees.
• View CMS Newsroom Center (Spotlights, news, media releases, outreach, mailing lists, etc.)
• CMS Quarterly Provider Updates (QPU)

LCD / NCD

LCDs
Search for ASC-related LCDs using these available tools:

• Interactive LCD index tool
• View First Coast’s active / proposed LCDs on CMS’ Medicare coverage database (MCD)

NCDs
Search for ASC-related NCDs using these available tools:

• Search CMS’ MCD
• CMS’ MCD - NCD alphabetical index
  • NCD for Vitrectomy

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Before you call the First Coast provider contact center, find answers to frequently asked questions about coding or billing ambulatory surgical center services with these FAQs.

Medical documentation

Medical record documentation is used to verify that services were billed correctly and to ensure that payment and processing of Medicare claim(s) are accurate and based on sound policy.  Find information, tips, and resources regarding medical documentation.

More

• Ambulatory Surgery Center Payment System educational tool (MLN6922507)
• Devices and clinical trials
• Medicare Approved Facilities/Trials/Registries

Audit and compliance

• CERT resources
• Recovery Auditor (RA) resources
• CMS Certification & Compliance
  • Ambulatory Surgery Centers
  • Provider Compliance Tips
• AHRQ Ambulatory Surgery Center Survey on Patient Safety Culture  
  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) developed this survey in response to interest from ASCs in assessing patient safety culture in their facilities. This survey is designed specifically for ASC staff and asks for their opinions about the culture of patient safety in their facility.

Ambulatory surgical center services education

Utilize educational information from First Coast and CMS on ambulatory surgical center-related services.

• Upcoming events
• Visit On-Demand Learning – access First Coast’s webcast recordings, web-based training, videos and tutorials.

CMS educational opportunities

• Search for CMS upcoming events
• CMS open door forums -- overview

CMS Internet-only manual (IOM)

The CMS IOMs contain day-to-day operating instructions, policies, and procedures based on statutes, regulations, guidelines, models, and directives.

The following CMS manual contains information specific to ambulatory surgical centers:

• Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Pub 100-04, Chapter 14 – Ambulatory Surgical Centers 

Resources

Visit the ASC Center on the CMS website.

View additional resources identified specifically for ambulatory surgical centers:

• CMS MCD
• Professional associations
• General resources

More

Stay informed

Subscribe
Stay updated on the latest Medicare information with free email subscriptions from First Coast and CMS.

• First Coast eNews
• CMS.gov updates

View archives
Access previously published emails you may have missed.

• First Coast eNews archives
• MLN Connects® Provider eNews archive