Advocacy plays a central role in shaping the future of ophthalmic ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and recent efforts by the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society (OOSS) demonstrate just how impactful a unified voice can be. Representing ASCs in Washington, DC, OOSS continues to champion policies that protect both physicians and patients while advancing the quality and accessibility of ophthalmic care. This year, in particular, has provided compelling evidence that strategic advocacy not only matters, it works.
One of the most significant achievements involved a proposed 4.7% reduction in cataract facility fees by Medicare. In response, OOSS launched an unprecedented advocacy campaign, working with other ophthalmic professional organizations and industry, ultimately reversing the cut and securing a 3.3% increase over the 2025 rate. This success marks the 26th consecutive year of increases for services provided in ophthalmic ASCs, reinforcing the value of persistent and coordinated engagement with policymakers. Additional advocacy efforts have focused on increasing reimbursement for intracameral drugs used during surgery, ensuring equitable payment for MIGs services, supporting appropriate payment for new-technology intraocular lenses (IOLs), and opposing the implementation of unnecessary and burdensome ASC quality measures. OOSS has also remained steadfast in its efforts to prevent Medicare from expanding reimbursement to office-based cataract surgery, a move that could compromise both quality and safety standards.
Education Matters to Optimize ASC Performance
Beyond advocacy, OOSS fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing through targeted educational events. A recent day-long meeting held at the Caribbean Eye Meeting brought together ASC administrators, nurse directors, physicians, and industry leaders from high-performing ophthalmic centers. Designed as an open forum for candid discussion, the meeting addressed both strategic opportunities and operational challenges in a collaborative, informal setting.
ASC Operational Models
A key topic of discussion was the evolving structure of ASC operational models, particularly the distinction between single-specialty and multispecialty centers. Increasingly, high-performing ASCs are favoring a single-specialty focus, particularly in ophthalmology, due to its advantages in efficiency, workflow standardization, and profitability. As our members’ facilities have demonstrated over the past 40 years, concentrating on one specialty allows for streamlined staff training, simplified supply chains, and optimized patient throughput. In contrast, multispecialty models—while sometimes necessary to fill unused capacity—often introduce complexity. Variability in surgeon preferences, workflow disruptions, and increased operational demands can negatively impact efficiency. As a result, some ASCs have transitioned back to single-specialty models after experiencing these challenges.
Operational Efficiencies
Operational efficiency also hinges on thoughtful equipment procurement and supply chain management. Close collaboration between administrators and surgeons is essential to ensure that equipment investments align with clinical needs while avoiding unnecessary expenditures. Physical space constraints must also be considered when expanding services. Many ASCs are finding success through standardizing surgical supplies and optimizing instrument tray management, both of which can significantly increase case volume and profitability. To mitigate financial risk when introducing new procedures or specialties, some centers are exploring creative solutions, such as leasing equipment from surgeons or using short-term vendor agreements to evaluate new technologies before committing to major capital investments.
Staff utilization and workflow optimization emerged as equally critical components of ASC success. Cross-training staff across both clinic and surgical settings helps create a seamless patient experience, while fostering a unified organizational culture. Preoperative video consultations conducted by nursing staff are becoming increasingly popular, enhancing patient education and satisfaction. From scheduling through postoperative care, involving staff in the entire patient journey not only improves outcomes but also strengthens team cohesion. Efficiency strategies—such as minimizing wait times, improving charting processes, and leveraging advanced surgical visualization technologies—benefit both patients and providers.
Marketing and Referrals
Patient experience and marketing strategies are also evolving in response to competitive pressures and patient expectations. ASCs are placing greater emphasis on reputation management, recognizing the impact of patient reviews and word-of-mouth referrals. Simple enhancements, such as comfort-focused amenities, can meaningfully influence patient perception. Many practices are strengthening relationships with referring optometrists through continuing education and hands-on experiences, while marketing efforts increasingly highlight surgeon ownership, advanced technology, and the cost advantages of ASCs compared to hospital-based settings. Educating patients about the benefits of ASC-based care and offering streamlined preoperative processes have become key differentiators.
Digital transformation is also playing a growing role in ASC operations. The integration of telehealth for preoperative visits, the shift toward electronic medical records, and enhanced staff training in delivering premium patient experiences are becoming increasingly important. Additionally, operational factors, such as block time management and surgeon productivity, remain central to success. Cataract case volumes per surgeon can vary widely—from as few as 12 to as many as 55 per day—depending on staffing models, facility design, and workflow efficiency.
These discussions collectively reinforce several key themes: the advantages of single-specialty ASC models, the importance of strategic risk management in equipment and service expansion, the value of staff engagement and patient-centered care, and the necessity of continuous process improvement. Technology adoption, operational discipline, and regulatory awareness are all essential for long-term growth and sustainability.
Membership Support and Active Participation Are Mission Critical
OOSS continues to support its members, not only through advocacy and live events, but also through ongoing educational resources. The OOSS Symposium, held annually in conjunction with the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, offers a robust program of forward-thinking content, with recorded sessions available for on-demand viewing and team education at ooss.org/ondemand/meetings/.
Membership in OOSS provides ASCs with access to a comprehensive suite of tools designed to enhance both clinical and business performance. These include peer-to-peer collaboration platforms, national salary benchmarking data, on-demand educational content, and a clinical and business performance benchmarking platform. Additionally, members benefit from participation in EyeProGPO, a group-purchasing organization tailored specifically to ophthalmic ASCs, which offers meaningful cost savings.
In an increasingly complex health care environment, the combination of strong advocacy, collaborative learning, and access to actionable resources, positions OOSS members for continued success. For ophthalmic ASCs seeking to remain competitive, efficient, and patient-focused, engagement with OOSS is not only valuable, it is essential.
If you haven’t renewed your OOSS membership for 2026 yet, please do so. If you aren’t a member and want to join or learn more, please contact Diane Blanck, executive director, at dblanck@ooss.org. OASC
