CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

What is an ambulatory surgical center's primary function?

1. Provide inpatient services

2. Offer outpatient surgical healthcare services

3. Conduct emergency medical services

4. Deliver primary care interventions

The correct answer is: Offer outpatient surgical healthcare services

An ambulatory surgical center (ASC) primarily serves the function of offering outpatient surgical healthcare services. These facilities are specifically designed to perform surgical procedures that do not require an overnight hospital stay. Patients are typically admitted, treated, and discharged on the same day, which aligns with the ASC's focus on efficiency and minimizing hospital-related costs. Such centers are equipped to handle surgeries that are less complex and require shorter recovery times compared to inpatient procedures. The emphasis on outpatient care allows patients to receive necessary surgical interventions in a more convenient and often less expensive setting. In contrast, providing inpatient services would entail a different level of care and infrastructure, as it involves admissions and longer patient stays. Conducting emergency medical services involves immediate response capabilities, which is outside the scope of what an ASC is designed to do. Delivering primary care interventions typically refers to general healthcare services provided by primary care physicians rather than specialized surgical procedures available at an ASC.