VNS Health Total: Outpatient Surgery (including hospital outpatient facilities and ambulatory surgical centers)
Many surgeries today are performed in ambulatory surgical centers or outpatient hospital facilities and do not require a hospital stay.
How To Receive
Details on how to apply
Obtain a provider order for outpatient surgery.
Contact the VNS Health Total Care Team at (866) 783-1444 (TTY 711) for prior authorization.
The ordering provider may help with authorization.
Schedule the procedure at a network facility chosen by the provider.
It is likely that the scheduling department of that facility will reach out to schedule the surgery.
The facility may also help with authorization.
Here is a searchable list of network hospitals: Click on the Hospitals tab on the page, then click on Surgical Services.
Here is a searchable list of network ancillary services: Click on the Ancillary Services tab on the page, then click on Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Attend the appointment and complete the procedure.
After surgery, engage in recommended follow-up treatment and/or referrals.
If transportation is needed to and from the appointment:
Call (877) 718-4219 (TTY: 711), M-F 8am-8pm, at least 48 hours in advance of the needed transportation.
Have the date, time, location, and reason for transportation ready when calling.
Receive authorization and guidance on scheduling the transportation service.
Get confirmation of scheduled transportation.
Use the transportation service to and from the appointment.
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Outpatient surgery is also referred to as "same-day" surgery and "ambulatory" surgery.
Many surgeries today can be performed on an outpatient basis and do not require admission to the hospital. Examples include but are not limited to, knee and hip arthroplasty/replacement, removal of non-malignant growths, cataract surgery, and laparoscopies.
When having surgery in a hospital facility, however, check with the provider about the expected inpatient or outpatient status following the surgery. Unless the provider writes an order for inpatient admission to the hospital, the status will be outpatient, and payment of cost-sharing amounts for outpatient surgery is required. Even with an overnight hospital stay, it may still be considered outpatient.
