Connecticut Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Making the cost of Connecticut health care less taxing

61 small businesses making healthcare more affordable

Ambulatory Surgery Centers—known as ASCs—are modern healthcare facilities focused on providing same-day surgical care, including diagnostic and preventive healthcare procedures that are less expensive and reduce long-term healthcare costs for patients, insurers and employers.  The most common procedures performed at ASCs are cataract surgeries, colonoscopies, endoscopies and orthopedic procedures.

Connecticut’s 61 surgery centers are poised to be part of the solution for reducing healthcare spending. They are the lower cost, higher-quality health care providers in this state. 

In 2015 a tax was levied on ASCs with no warning, no public hearing and no input from the industry.   As a result, where other states are seeing growth in the ASC industry, growth in Connecticut has been curtailed. 

In the interest of public health, and cost savings for patients, insurers and employers—including the State of Connecticut—ASCs should be lauded for making healthcare more affordable, not be penalized for it.​

ASCs and Taxes

Unlike hospitals, ASCs already pay taxes like other small businesses: state income tax, sales tax, and property tax. An ASC should be taxed like any other small business OR taxed like a non-profit care provider—but not both.  
 
There are only 4 other states in the nation that tax ASC-provided healthcare services.
 
At 6%, Connecticut’s ASC tax rate is AT LEAST 3 TIMES HIGHER than in other states, where the tax rates are 1-2%

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Taxing more affordable health care 
It doesn't add up.

Independent ambulatory surgery centers in Connecticut are taxed as non-profit healthcare providers (like hospitals) and as independent medical practices (like small businesses) – without the benefits of either. 

Connecticut needs to apply one method of taxation or another, but not both.

download the issue overview

In the interest of public health, and cost savings for patients, insurers and employers, ASCs should be lauded for making healthcare more affordable, not penalized for it. 

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ASCs are a high-quality, lower-cost alternative to hospitals for outpatient surgery

• ASCs perform about 200,000 medical procedures in Connecticut each year 
• Connecticut patients saved more than $6.4 million – and insurers saved tens of millions – in just one year by electing to have their colonoscopies in ASCs. (Source: ASCA, 2014 data)
• ASCs add considerable value to the U.S. economy, with a 2009 nationwide economic impact of $90 billion, including more than $5.8 billion in tax payments.
• A study published in Health Affairs (May 2014) found that ASCs save money and increase efficiency for Medicare, insurers and patients alike, while providing the same high-quality care as hospitals.