CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

What defines an Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC)?

1. A hospital providing comprehensive surgical services

2. A state-licensed Medicare-certified supplier of surgical services

3. A center specializing only in outpatient care

4. A provider that does not accept Medicare assignment

The correct answer is: A state-licensed Medicare-certified supplier of surgical services

An Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) is defined as a state-licensed and Medicare-certified facility that offers surgical services to patients who do not require hospitalization. The certification from Medicare signifies that the center meets specific federal standards for quality of care, safety, and organization. This certification ensures that the ASC can offer a variety of surgical procedures on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day as their procedure. The importance of being state-licensed indicates that the facility has met local regulations and standards as well, which contributes to the overall quality and safety of the surgical services provided. In contrast, while a hospital may provide surgical services, it typically serves a broader patient base, including those requiring inpatient care and comprehensive services, which does not define an ASC. Specializing exclusively in outpatient care, as suggested in one of the other options, could describe an ASC in part, but it is the combination of state licensure and Medicare certification that distinctly identifies it as such. Additionally, an ASC’s acceptance of Medicare assignment is a crucial element that allows it to participate in the Medicare program and provide necessary surgical procedures to a broader demographic, making the characterization of a provider that does not accept Medicare assignment incompatible with the definition of an ASC.