If you’re considering knee replacement, you’ve probably thought about the surgeon, the implant, and the recovery. Many patients don’t realize there’s another decision worth understanding: where the surgery takes place.
Knee replacement is a good example of a larger point. Many orthopaedic procedures can be performed in more than one type of setting, and knowing your options helps you make confident decisions about your care.
Hospitals and Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Outpatient orthopaedic surgery is typically performed in one of two settings.
Hospitals provide a wide range of services, including emergency care, inpatient stays, intensive care, and round-the-clock staffing. That broad infrastructure makes them well suited to complex cases and patients who may need additional monitoring.
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) specialize in outpatient procedures. Because they focus on a narrower set of services, they are designed for efficient, focused surgical care. OrthoUnited’s two surgery centers are dedicated orthopaedic settings where patients can have procedures like knee replacement and return home the same day.
Both settings are valuable, and neither is right for everyone.
Is a Surgery Center Right for You?
Many orthopaedic procedures can be performed in a dedicated outpatient surgical center, but not every patient or procedure is appropriate for that setting.
Your surgeon and surgical team determine the right location based on:
- The procedure being performed
- Your overall health and medical history
- Anesthesia considerations
- Surgical complexity
- The potential need for additional monitoring or hospital care
Your health and safety always come first. If a hospital is the better choice for your situation, your care team will tell you. If a surgery center is appropriate, you’ll have another option to consider. You can learn more about OrthoUnited’s surgery centers before your visit.
What Patients Should Know About Facility Fees
Every surgical location bills a facility fee, including ASCs. It covers the building, equipment, and support staff, and it’s separate from your surgeon’s professional fee. For one surgery, you may receive separate bills for the facility, your surgeon’s practice, and anesthesia.
The amount of the facility fee can differ by setting. Hospitals and ASCs are reimbursed under different fee schedules, and the hospital’s facility fee is often larger. Your own out-of-pocket responsibility depends on your insurance plan, including your deductible, copays, coinsurance, and network status. A surgery center is not automatically less expensive for every patient, which is why it helps to check your benefits before you schedule. Our Financial Education page walks through how to do that.
Muscle-Sparing Knee Replacement at OrthoUnited
Setting is only part of the picture. The surgical technique matters too.
OrthoUnited’s knee replacement surgeons offer muscle-sparing knee replacement, an approach that reaches the joint by working between muscles rather than cutting through them. For the right candidate, this technique can mean less post-operative discomfort and help patients get back to the activities they enjoy, like walking the neighborhood, playing with grandchildren, or getting back on the golf course. Your surgeon will talk with you about whether it’s appropriate for your knee.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Surgical Location
If you have a choice of locations, consider asking:
- Is a surgery center medically appropriate for my procedure and my health?
- Are my surgeon and the facility in my insurance network?
- What will my estimated out-of-pocket cost be at each location?
- Will I receive separate bills for the facility, my surgeon, and anesthesia?
- What happens if I need additional care after surgery?
- Is muscle-sparing knee replacement an option for me?
To prepare for your insurance conversation, visit our Financial Education page.
We’re Here to Help
At OrthoUnited, our goal is to help you receive excellent orthopaedic care in the setting that fits your medical needs. When more than one location is available, we encourage you to understand your options and compare your benefits before deciding.
If you’re considering knee replacement, schedule an appointment with an OrthoUnited specialist. We’ll help you understand your treatment options, including where your surgery could take place.