Surgery Cancellation Rate Benchmark (+ Cost Calculator)
- Adrian Mustain
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 30
We conducted a study with our clinic partners to identify the current benchmarks for surgery cancellation rates across various settings and specialties. While many providers report an average cancellation rate of around 5%-14%, this number can increase to as high as 31%, especially for elective general surgeries. We found that higher cancellation rates are often linked to preventable issues such as incomplete pre-op assessments, patient no-shows, and unclear instructions.
In this article, we explore:
Based on industry data, even a modest cancellation rate of 8% can have a substantial financial impact. For example, a small clinic performing 100 surgeries per month at an average revenue of $2,500 per case could lose more than $240,000 annually in cancellations.Â
See how much cancellations are costing you →
Average Cancellation Rates by Location
Average cancellation rates often differ depending on where the surgery is performed (e.g., hospital, outpatient surgery center, or ambulatory care facility). We evaluated cancellations by location and found that hospitals generally see higher cancellation rates due to more complex scheduling and emergency case disruptions, while office-based and same-day surgical centers have lower rates thanks to more streamlined processes.Â
Cancellation Rates by Surgical Procedure
Our research found that cancellation rates vary based on the type of surgery. More complex procedures tend to have higher cancellation rates due to the additional preparation needed and the greater chance of unforeseen issues before surgery. In comparison, simpler or shorter surgeries generally see fewer cancellations because they are easier to prepare for.
Surgery Cancellation Rates Based on Pre-Op Process
We evaluated different pre-op processes and their impact on surgical cancellation rates. Patients who completed a virtual pre-op had the lowest cancellation rate at just 3%, compared to a staggering 20% for those with no formal pre-op process.Â
Our findings show that structured, accessible pre-op care, especially virtual assessments, dramatically improves surgical follow-through and reduces last-minute cancellations.
How Patient Demographics Influence Cancellation Rates
Patient demographics play a big role in surgical cancellation rates. We looked at factors such as age, insurance type, health literacy, language, and access to transportation, and how they impact last-minute patient cancellations.
Factors Affecting Cancellation Rates
Surgery cancellations can disrupt schedules, reduce revenue, and delay patient care, and many are preventable. From patient-related conditions and lack of resources to scheduling errors and administrative delays, numerous factors contribute to cancellation rates. Understanding these factors is essential for reducing cancellations and improving surgical efficiency.
Costs Associated With Surgery Cancellation
Surgical cancellations cost healthcare practices more than just the missed procedure. They leave operating rooms empty, staff underused. Meanwhile, costs for staffing and equipment still add up. Improving pre-op readiness can reduce preventable cancellations. This helps protect revenue, increase efficiency, and improve the patient experience.
Here’s a breakdown of common costs tied to operation cancellations:
Fewer Cancellations & Faster Clearances
Surgery delays often start with incomplete or last-minute pre-op appointments. At MyPreOp, our 100% virtual pre-op assessments are convenient, thorough, and take half the time of traditional in-office visits. This helps your patients get cleared and scheduled for surgery without unnecessary setbacks.
Call today at (424) 224-9151 to schedule your pre-op assessment. For faster service, schedule your initial pre-op consultation through our online calendar or by emailing us at contact@mypreop.org.
Sources:Â